Memorials & Endowments

Creating a Present Day Capability for Future Unmet Needs



Endowment Fund Vision Statement

The Vision of the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund is to create a fund of sufficient quantity and quality to provide a steady and adequate stream of revenue to the Lions of Illinois Foundation and other organizations embracing similar charitable purposes.

Black and white photo of a lion representing Lions of Illinois Foundation Endowment Fund

Mission Statement

The Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund exists for the sole purpose of creating a consistent and permanent stream of revenue to fund the programs and services provided by the Lions for the visually and hearing impaired. It is recognized that future unmet human needs may need to be addressed and the Lions may not be able to affect those needs directly. Therefore, the Lions of Illinois through this fund are creating a present-day capability for those future needs.

Endowment Fund Supporter Programs Q & A

Sustaining Supporter

Contribute $25 to the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund and attach the form below. Renewals are $25 each. (Or, contribute $25 to give someone a Sustaining Supporter as a gift or award/recognition.) Sustaining Supporter receive an initial pin and then a dangler.

Legacy Supporter

Contribute $50 to the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund and attach the form below. Renewals are $50 each. (Or, contribute $50 to give someone a Legacy Supporter as a gift or award/recognition.) Legacy Supporters receive a special pin or dangler for each of the 5 years of support.

*Make sure “Select Donation Type” is set to “Endowment” and fill in the remaining fields as appropriate.

You can make a tribute by filling out this form and submitting it along with your donation to the Lions of Illinois Foundation. Tribute Honorees, or their families, will receive a letter informing them of the contribution made in their name.

Click here to learn more about Tributes.

Contributions are pooled and invested in the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund – a restricted fund of which the principal remains intact. Only the income from the Endowment Fund can be used to support Lions of Illinois Foundation programs and services for the visually and hearing impaired. The Endowment Fund provides contributors with an opportunity to give a gift that keeps on giving.

For the initial $500 donation, the person named as a Foundation Fellow receives a pin, patch, chevron and beautiful engraved plaque. For every progressive level, the person will receive a pin, chevron and certificate.

Yes! Sustaining Supporter contributions and Legacy Supporter Contributions are completely convertible to Foundation Fellows

Executive Director Lion Ron Fruit presented a 50th Anniversary Foundation Fellow Award to PIP, Judge Brian Stevenson

Foundation Fellow Award

Executive Director, Lion Ron Fruit presented a 50th Anniversary Foundation Fellow Award to PIP, Lion Judge Brian Stevenson at the Sunday Breakfast in Boston. The monies for the award were donated by the Lions who attended the LIF State Breakfast in May of this year.

Foundation Fellow – Laureate Award

Executive Director, Lion Ron Fruit presents PID, Lion Russ Sarver with his Foundation Fellow Laureate at the Durand Lions Club meeting. A Laureate is an additional recognition that is bestowed with the achievement of the 25th Foundation Fellow level, with a chevron, certificate and diamond studded medallion.

Executive Director, Lion Ron Fruit presents PID, Lion Russ Sarver with his Foundation Fellow Laureate at the Durand Lions Club meeting

Did You Know?

You do not need to wait until someone has passed to show your admiration, respect, or gratitude.
You can do it now in the form of a Tribute.

A tribute is an Act, Statement, or Gift that is Intended to Show Gratitude, Respect or Admiration.

The Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund Tribute page was designed to do just that. Donations may be given in the name of someone who has passed or to honor a special occasion, such as a becoming a Foundation Fellow.

  • Birthday
  • Graduation
  • Anniversary
  • Promotion
  • Retirement
  • Thank You
  • Holiday Wishes
  • Get Well Wishes

Each Time you Make a Tribute Donation, a Letter is Sent to the Tribute Honoree (see Example Below)

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and all the Lions of Illinois, we would like to take this opportunity to notify you of the generous contribution we received in honor of your Birthday which was graciously donated by Jane Smith. These donations have been placed in the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund. Only the earnings from this Fund are used to support the programs and services provided to people with vision and hearing needs by our Lions of Illinois Foundation. The principal will remain untouched and increase forevermore.

Show your admiration, respect, or gratitude for someone with a Tribute donation to the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund.

You will also receive a Thank You notification for your Tribute Donation.

View the 2023 Tribute Donations on page 14 of the newsletter: