The Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund offers the opportunity for members of the Lions family and the general public to give a tax-deductible gift that keeps on giving. It is a restricted fund in which contributions are pooled and invested, with the principal remaining intact. Only the income can be used to support Lions of Illinois Foundation programs and services for the visually and hearing impaired.
HOW ARE FUNDS CONTRIBUTED?
Funds are contributed through a variety of ways.
Memorials: Donations may be given in the name of someone who has passed on.
Honorariums: Donations may be given to honor a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion, retirement, becoming a Foundation Fellow, etc.) or to wish someone well.
Get Well Wishes: Donation may be given to wish someone well.
General: Any donation may be given
Sustaining Supporters: The Sustaining Supporter Program is a method of giving in which anyone (Lion or non-Lion) is encouraged to give a $25 donation on an annual basis to help support the many programs and services of the Lions of Illinois Foundation.
Foundation Fellows: A Foundation Fellow is the greatest level of recognition that can be bestowed by the Lions of Illinois Foundation and can honor anyone (Lion or non-Lion). For those who wish to contribute more than $500 or to begin a program of giving, there are 25 levels of the Foundation Fellow, with each level attained affording honor to the individual named.
Tree of Service: The Tree of Service provides permanent acknowledgement and recognition of a gift and may be used to honor or memorialize a person, a group (club, family, organization), or an event. Anyone can contribute through the Tree of Service program. For each contribution of $1,000, a bronze leaf is inscribed on the Tree; for a contribution of $5,000 or more, a rock at the foot of the Tree is inscribed.
Legacy Club: The Legacy Club is a way of recognizing individuals who wish to assist in the establishment of a lasting legacy to help children and adults who are visually or hearing impaired. Membership in the Legacy Club is granted to any person (Lion or non-Lion) who demonstrates a commitment to the vision of the Lions of Illinois Foundation by leaving a bequest large or small or assigning any part of a pension/retirement fund, IRA, insurance policy, or investment account to the Lions of Illinois Foundation.
Wills, Bequests, Trusts: Individuals may choose to give an estate tax-deductible gift by naming the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund or Lions of Illinois Foundation as (1) a beneficiary of part of an estate; or (2) an assignee of part of a pension/retirement fund, IRA, insurance policy, or investment account. Individuals who provide appropriate documentation to the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund become members of the Legacy Club and receive a beautiful pin.