Why Don’t We Have One?

A Multiple District Foundation

We celebrate together, at local and international conventions and events. But are our individual expenses to these Lions events tax deductible?
Multiple District 21

Why does the Multiple District NOT have its own 501(c)3 Foundation?

Many Lions clubs in MD-21 have a parallel foundation so that tax-deductible donations can support their service work. Lions International has a Foundation. Other multiple districts through the United States have foundations to support local projects, community efforts, club activities and fundraising efforts, AND accept tax-deductible contributions.

Why doesn’t Arizona (and MD-21)?

With a tax-deductible component, the MD could accept corporate sponsorships for state and district conventions, conferences, and such special events as the “Week of Service” in January, the “Women’s Summit” in November, or the leadership training sessions. That could reduce “registration” costs without increasing member dues.

How do individual Lion “expense” the monies paid currently for Lions conventions and conferences?  As a deductible write-off, probably.  We’re under the Lions International 501(c)4 “Non-Profit Organization” status, but are we officially a tax-deductible entity?  Can our district dues be deducted, as well as our expenses to district kickoffs, midyear conferences, zone meetings, district and state conventions?  If a club has a foundation, all of one’s out-of-pocket “contributions” are deductible through the club’s foundation — but that entity doesn’t pay your registration fees to district and multiple.

Consider how impactful it would be if MD-21 were designated an Arizona state Qualified Charitable Organization, and could accept tax CREDIT donations from throughout the state. I think a large number would consider it, if it were made available.

After speaking with several of our state project leaders, I believe we could create an “MD-21 Lions Foundation” as a charitable arm of our statewide service commitment. This would allow both corporate and individual donations to be “officially” tax deductible and administratively cost effective.

What’s your reaction to the idea? The Council would like to get your reactions and constructive comments, good, bad, positive, negative. Should we continue dialog on creating a single Foundation under which both state and local district projects could be umbrella’d for synergy for fundraising and financial support — each still with the capability of project-directed fundraising, but with the added bonus of single-destination “designated contributions” to all projects.

Click Here to participate in a confidential survey. In advance, thank you for your participation.

L