Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada, Inc.

Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada, Inc. (LEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated for over 65 years to help uninsured and low-income residents of Northern California and Nevada access ophthalmic examinations, surgeries, medications, and specialty eye care. The foundation works with local Lions Clubs to screen and refer patients and funds care provided by resident physicians under the supervision of board-certified ophthalmologists at Sutter/CPMC and affiliated surgical centers.

LEF is sponsored by Lions Clubs across the region (the organization reports growth from 19 founding clubs to over 293 member clubs representing roughly 10,000 individual Lions) and supports clinical training while delivering no-cost care. In recent years LEF has continued active clinical operations and referral work with CPMC/Pacific Vision partners and maintains a multi-million dollar asset base to support its mission.

The foundation maintains active donor-facing programs (patient referral forms in multiple languages, fellowship/membership giving, and public donations) and holds transparency recognitions consistent with national charity best practices.