The California Lions Youth and Camp Foundation concentrates its giving on developing youth leadership through the Lions/Leo movement, funding travel, registration, uniforms and local activities that enable young people to attend leadership forums, conventions, and UN events. Grants are primarily directed to Leo-focused programming and local schools/organizations within District 4-A1 (Merced area), reflecting a hands-on, membership-driven approach to youth engagement and Lion–Leo relationship building.
A $61,554 grant to the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum is the clearest signal in California Lions Youth and Camp Foundati’s recent giving: it underwrites travel, registration, and uniforms so Leos and advisors can take part in leadership programming. That same participant-support model shows up across the portfolio, with funding tied to forums, conventions, United Nations-related events, and local youth activities rather than unrestricted operating support. The foundation’s grantmaking is closely linked to the Lions/Leo movement and to youth leadership development in District 4-A1. It has supported large-group participation as well as smaller local projects in Merced-area communities, including schools, clubs, and youth service efforts. Several awards are directed to California recipients, and the foundation also backs regional and national Lions-related events when they create leadership exposure for local youth. Recent grants show a practical, hands-on style: the foundation helps cover direct participation costs, purchases supplies for youth projects, and supports local activities that build ties between Lions and Leos. Its pattern is less about one-time institutional funding and more about enabling specific youth experiences, training, and service opportunities.
Youth leadership development is the core theme. California Lions Youth and Camp Foundati gave $26,293 to Md4 Youth Outreach Committee for youth leadership opportunities during the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum, including support for Lions-to-Leo relationships and hosting. International exposure is another recurring theme. The foundation awarded $13,500 to Lions Day at the United Nations so local youth could attend and experience the United Nations, with registration and travel reimbursement included. It also funds service-oriented school and community projects. A $5,380 grant to Kases for Kids supported a District 4 A1 district meeting service project that prepared 250 back-to-school cases for local children in need. In a separate local grant, $787 went to Magic Yarn Project to purchase items needed to joint Leo-Lion projects in District 4 A1. The foundation also supports youth camp and exchange programming, including $1,300 to Md4 Youth Exchange Program for a youth camp and exchange program created by Lions International.
$151K
$956K
$112K
$113K
Most grants fall between $500 and $10K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 75% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Moderately concentrated: a handful of mid-sized grants focused on core Leo leadership events and travel, plus multiple small (<$500) local awards. Mix of repeat support to signature programs (e.g., USA/Canada Leo Forum) and one-off local event grants aimed at direct youth participation.
Notable grantees: USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum, MD4 Youth Outreach Committee, Lions Clubs International (International Convention), Lions Day at the United Nations, Local schools and community organizations in District 4-A1
California Lions Youth and Camp Foundati gives small-to-midsize grants, with a typical award of $500 at the 25th percentile, $1,150 at the median, and $10,422 at the 75th percentile. The distribution shows a mix of microgrants and a few large participant-support awards. The recent list includes repeated recipients across 2023 and 2024, including the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum, Lions Float Inc, Ballico-Cressey 4H Club, Madera Omega Leo Club, Madera Leo Club, Merced County Arts Council, Md4 Youth Outreach Committee, and the local 4-H and Leo groups. That pattern suggests ongoing relationship-based giving rather than isolated one-off grants. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund and does not fund individuals. Grants are structured around specific activities, such as travel, registration, uniforms, supplies, scholarships for camps, and local youth program support.
Giving is concentrated in California, which accounts for 75% of grants. Merced, Modesto, Atwater, Santa Barbara, Huntington Beach, and Paradise appear among the recipient locations, showing a strong Central Valley and broader California footprint. Outside California, the foundation supports Lions-related convenings in New York, Illinois, South Dakota, and Alaska-linked programming, but all recipient grants in the recent list are in the United States. The geographic pattern is regional rather than national.
The foundation supports youth leadership through Lions and Leo programming, including travel to the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum, participation in Lions Day at the United Nations, local district service projects, youth exchange and camp programming, and school- or club-based activities in District 4-A1.
Its typical grant size is small. The 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,150, and the 75th percentile is $10,422, showing a mix of microgrants and larger participant-support awards.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to several groups across 2023 and 2024, including the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum, Lions Float Inc, Ballico-Cressey 4H Club, Madera Omega Leo Club, Madera Leo Club, Merced County Arts Council, and Md4 Youth Outreach Committee.
Most grants go to California recipients, and 75% of grants are in the HQ state. Merced, Modesto, Atwater, Santa Barbara, Huntington Beach, and Paradise all appear among recipient locations in the recent list.
It often covers direct participation costs. Recent grants include funding for registration, travel reimbursement, uniforms, supplies, and scholarships for camps, along with support for local service activities and youth fundraising efforts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USACANADA LEO LEADERSHIP FORUM | CROTONONHUDSON, NY | $61,554 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - 60 LEOS AND ADVISORS TRAVELED TO CHICAGO TO ATTEND THE 2023 USA/ CANADA LEO LEADERSHP FORUM - REGISTRATION, TRAVEL AND UNIFORM COSTS WERE COVERED. |
| MD4 YOUTH OUTREACH COMMITTEE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $26,293 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED DURING THE USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUM TO SUPPORT ADVANCEMENT IN OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO LIONS TO LEO RELATIONSHIPS - IN ADDITION OF HOSTING AN INFORMATION BOOTH FOR THREE DAYS A MEET AND GREET WHERE LIONS COULD LEARN FROM LEOS MORE ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIONS. |
| OTHER LOCAL SHOOLS AND ORGANIZATION | ATWATER, CA | $16,012 | 2024 | VARIOUS GRANTS OF $500 OR LESS WERE GIVEN TO LOCAL EVENTS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITES IN DISTRICT 4 A1. |
| LIONS CLUBS INTERNATION CONVETION - BOSTON | OAK BROOK, IL | $14,738 | 2024 | FOURTEEN LEOS AND ADVISORS TRAVELED TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL REIMBURSMENT WERE MADE AVAILABLE PROVIDE LOCAL LEOS WITH THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY |
| LIONS DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS | OAK BROOK, IL | $13,500 | 2024 | OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO ATTEND AND EXPERIANCE THE UNITED NATIONS - REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL REIMBURSMENT |
| LIONS FLOAT INC | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $9,396 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - 100 LEOS FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRAVELED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO PARTICIPATE IN DECORATING FLOATS FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE ON NEW YEARS DAY. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS OFFERED TO ALL YOUTH INTERESTED IN ORGANIZING A TRIP TO THE PHEONIX DECORATING BARN DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. |
| USACANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUM | RAPID CITY, SD | $3,650 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE SPENT TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEOS AND ADVISORS TO ATTEND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY IN RENO, NV - AFTER COMPLETING AN ONLINE STUDY COURSE AT LIONSUNIVERSITY.COM A GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS HELD WHERE DEGREE WERE AWARDED |
| MD4 YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $1,300 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH CAMP AND EXHANGE PROGRAM CREATED BY LIONS INTERNATIONAL. |
| BALLICO-CRESSEY 4H CLUB | MERCED, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| MD4 YOUTH OUTREACH COMMITTEE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $930 | 2024 | FUNDS WERE USED TO ORGANIZE THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE TO BE HELD IN MERCED CA APRIL OF 2024 |
| MAGIC YARN PROJECT | PALMER, AK | $787 | 2024 | FUNDS WERE USED TO PURCHASE ITEMS NEEDED TO JOINT LEO - LION PROJECTS IN DISTRICT 4 A1 |
| MADERA OMEGA LEO CLUB | MODESTO, CA | $500 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS TO PURCHASE ITEMS FOR AND SUPPORT THE OMEGA LEO CLOSET AT LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - THESE CLOSEST PROVIDE HYGEIN ITEMS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED. |
| MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL | MERCED, CA | $500 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - TO BE USED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FO CAMPS |
| MADERA LEO CLUB | MODESTO, CA | $500 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED TO PURCHASES ITEMS TO SELL AT THE SNACK SHACK DURING HIGH SCHOOL EVENT AS A FUND RAISER FOR THE CLUB. |
| CITY OF ATWATER | ATWATER, CA | $251 | 2024 | YOUTH LEADERSHP OPPORTUNITIES - TOYS WERE PURCHASED AND DONATED TO THE LOCAL COLLECTION SITES WHERE VARIOUS LOCAL YOUTH VOLUNTEERED |
| USACANADA LEO LEADERSHIP FORUM | CROTONONHUDSON, NY | $15,985 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| KASES FOR KIDS | MODESTO, CA | $5,380 | 2023 | DISTRICT 4 A1 DISTRICT MEETING GROUP SERVICE PROJECCT WAS TO PREPARE 250 BACK TO SCHOOL CASES FOR LOCAL CHILDREN IN NEED |
| LIONS FLOAT INC | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $3,000 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL | MERCED, CA | $2,000 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| BALLICO-CRESSEY 4H CLUB | MERCED, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| MADERA OMEGA LEO CLUB | MODESTO, CA | $750 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| MADERA LEO CLUB | MODESTO, CA | $500 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| EL CAPITAN LEOS CLUB | MODESTO, CA | $500 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
| PARADISE LIONS CLUB | PARADISE, CA | $500 | 2023 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
USACANADA LEO LEADERSHIP FORUM
$61,554YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - 60 LEOS AND ADVISORS TRAVELED TO CHICAGO TO ATTEND THE 2023 USA/ CANADA LEO LEADERSHP FORUM - REGISTRATION, TRAVEL AND UNIFORM COSTS WERE COVERED.
MD4 YOUTH OUTREACH COMMITTEE
$26,293YOUTH LEADERSHP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED DURING THE USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUM TO SUPPORT ADVANCEMENT IN OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO LIONS TO LEO RELATIONSHIPS - IN ADDITION OF HOSTING AN INFORMATION BOOTH FOR THREE DAYS A MEET AND GREET WHERE LIONS COULD LEARN FROM LEOS MORE ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIONS.
OTHER LOCAL SHOOLS AND ORGANIZATION
$16,012VARIOUS GRANTS OF $500 OR LESS WERE GIVEN TO LOCAL EVENTS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITES IN DISTRICT 4 A1.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATION CONVETION - BOSTON
$14,738FOURTEEN LEOS AND ADVISORS TRAVELED TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL REIMBURSMENT WERE MADE AVAILABLE PROVIDE LOCAL LEOS WITH THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
LIONS DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS
$13,500OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO ATTEND AND EXPERIANCE THE UNITED NATIONS - REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL REIMBURSMENT
LIONS FLOAT INC
$9,396YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - 100 LEOS FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRAVELED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO PARTICIPATE IN DECORATING FLOATS FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE ON NEW YEARS DAY. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS OFFERED TO ALL YOUTH INTERESTED IN ORGANIZING A TRIP TO THE PHEONIX DECORATING BARN DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.
USACANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUM
$3,650YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE SPENT TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEOS AND ADVISORS TO ATTEND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY IN RENO, NV - AFTER COMPLETING AN ONLINE STUDY COURSE AT LIONSUNIVERSITY.COM A GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS HELD WHERE DEGREE WERE AWARDED
MD4 YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM
$1,300YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH CAMP AND EXHANGE PROGRAM CREATED BY LIONS INTERNATIONAL.
BALLICO-CRESSEY 4H CLUB
$1,000YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MD4 YOUTH OUTREACH COMMITTEE
$930FUNDS WERE USED TO ORGANIZE THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE TO BE HELD IN MERCED CA APRIL OF 2024
MAGIC YARN PROJECT
$787FUNDS WERE USED TO PURCHASE ITEMS NEEDED TO JOINT LEO - LION PROJECTS IN DISTRICT 4 A1
MADERA OMEGA LEO CLUB
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS TO PURCHASE ITEMS FOR AND SUPPORT THE OMEGA LEO CLOSET AT LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - THESE CLOSEST PROVIDE HYGEIN ITEMS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED.
MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - TO BE USED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FO CAMPS
MADERA LEO CLUB
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FUNDS WERE USED TO PURCHASES ITEMS TO SELL AT THE SNACK SHACK DURING HIGH SCHOOL EVENT AS A FUND RAISER FOR THE CLUB.
CITY OF ATWATER
$251YOUTH LEADERSHP OPPORTUNITIES - TOYS WERE PURCHASED AND DONATED TO THE LOCAL COLLECTION SITES WHERE VARIOUS LOCAL YOUTH VOLUNTEERED
USACANADA LEO LEADERSHIP FORUM
$15,985YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
KASES FOR KIDS
$5,380DISTRICT 4 A1 DISTRICT MEETING GROUP SERVICE PROJECCT WAS TO PREPARE 250 BACK TO SCHOOL CASES FOR LOCAL CHILDREN IN NEED
LIONS FLOAT INC
$3,000YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
BALLICO-CRESSEY 4H CLUB
$1,000YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MADERA OMEGA LEO CLUB
$750YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MADERA LEO CLUB
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
EL CAPITAN LEOS CLUB
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PARADISE LIONS CLUB
$500YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES