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Safford Lions Foundation Inc

Safford, AZ · EIN 800574388 · Form 990EZ · FY2019 · NTEE T12 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Micro (<$100K) · www.saffordlionsclub.org

revenue

$94K

expenses

$65K

net assets

$54K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

Take an active interest in youth activities and civic, cultural, humanitarian, educational, and welfare needs of the community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Safford Lions Club is a community service organization based in Safford, Arizona, focused on improving local and statewide well-being through vision and hearing services, youth engagement, and support for individuals with special needs. The club runs and supports programs including vision screenings, scholarship awards, food distribution, and summer camps, while also advocating for legislative causes and partnering with local organizations. It is part of the larger Lions Clubs International network.

named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona Lions Vision and Hearing Foundation

Offers vision screening, eye exams, and glasses to disadvantaged residents across the state

EAC Lions Club

College-age branch of the Lions Club at Eastern Arizona College promoting service and leadership

EAC Scholarships

Provides scholarships to students attending Eastern Arizona College

Lions Camp Tatiyee

Provides free 6-day, 5-night summer camp experiences for special needs children and adults in Arizona

Mental Health Fun Run

Annual event promoting mental health awareness and fundraising for related causes

POWWOW Borderlands Food Bank Produce Distribution

Monthly produce distribution event in Thatcher, AZ, providing food to local residents in need

Safford Leos Club

Youth program for ages 14–18 to engage in community service and leadership development

activities · 12 clusters

what they do

State and Local Legislative Advocacy 3 activities
- Advocate for legislative protections supporting service work
  
  Engages in advocacy at local, regional, and national levels to promote policies that safeguard the future of community service initiatives.
- Advocate for legislative protections supporting service work
  
  Engages in advocacy at local, regional, and national levels to promote policies that safeguard the future of community service initiatives.
- Legislative Advocacy
  
  Advocates for legislative protections at local, regional, and national levels to safeguard the future of service.
Veteran and First Responder Recognition Ceremonies 3 activities
- Community Flag Displays and Events
  
  Organizes and participates in flag displays for Memorial Day, the Independence Day Parade, and a "Field of Honor" event. Also conducts a "Flags for First Graders" program.
- Organize patriotic and civic engagement events
  
  Hosts the "Field of Honor" event on the Safford City Hall lawn, displays flags for Memorial Day and Independence Day, and runs the "Flags for First Graders" program each February.
- Organize patriotic flag displays and ceremonies
  
  Hosts annual flag displays for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the "Field of Honor" event on the Safford City Hall lawn, and runs the "Flags for First Graders" program each February.
Vision Screening and Eyeglasses Provision 3 activities
- Deliver vision and eye health services
  
  Provides large-scale vision screening, eye exams, and glasses for disadvantaged residents, including operation of a vision booth at the Safford Spring Fest.
- Deliver vision and eye health services
  
  Provides large-scale vision screening, eye exams, and glasses for disadvantaged residents, including operation of a vision booth at the Safford Spring Fest.
- Vision and Hearing Services
  
  Provides large-scale vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses for disadvantaged residents. Also offers grants for eyesight restoration and hearing aids.
Fresh Produce Distribution for Vulnerable Populations 3 activities
- Distribute food in partnership with Borderlands Food Bank
  
  Conducts produce distribution events in Thatcher at Home Depot in collaboration with Borderlands Food Bank.
- Food Distribution
  
  Distributes produce in partnership with Borderlands Food Bank at Home Depot in Thatcher.
- Support food distribution in partnership with food banks
  
  Distributes produce in collaboration with Borderlands Food Bank at the Home Depot in Thatcher.
Financial Assistance for Medical Devices 3 activities
- Distribute medical and recreational grants
  
  Provides grants for eyesight restoration, hearing aids, and summer camp opportunities for children and adults with special needs.
- Support access to medical and recreational resources
  
  Provides grants for eyesight restoration, hearing aids, and summer camp opportunities for children and adults with special needs.
- Support for Children and Adults with Special Needs
  
  Provides grants for summer camp opportunities for children and adults with special needs.
Youth Civic Leadership Development 3 activities
- Support youth leadership and service clubs
  
  Operates the Safford Leos Club for youth ages 14–18 and the Eastern Arizona College Lions Club for college-age young adults to foster community service and leadership.
- Support youth leadership and service development
  
  Operates the Safford Leos Club for youth ages 14–18 and the Eastern Arizona College Lions Club to engage young adults in community service.
- Youth Engagement and Leadership Development
  
  Operates the Safford Leos Club for youth aged 14-18 and an Eastern Arizona College (EAC) Campus branch club for college-age young adults to engage them in community service. The organization also sponsors new Lions Clubs, including the EAC Lions Club.
Facility Construction and Club Sponsorship 2 activities
- Charter and sponsor new Lions Club affiliates
  
  Sponsored the founding of the Gila Valley Lions Club in 1929, the Safford Los Compadres Club in the late 1980s, clubs in Willcox and Bowie, and co-sponsored a club in Clifton.
- Charter and sponsor new Lions Club chapters
  
  Sponsors the formation of new Lions Clubs, including past sponsorship of clubs in Willcox, Bowie, Clifton, and the Safford Los Compadres Club, and co-founding the Gila Valley Lions Club in 1929.
Cultural Heritage Festivals & Celebrations 2 activities
- Engage in community festivals and fundraising events
  
  Participates in SalsaFest in Downtown Safford and operates a booth with a rifle raffle at the Graham County Fair to support community outreach and fundraising.
- Host and participate in community events
  
  Organizes and participates in local events including the Graham County Fair (with a rifle raffle), SalsaFest, Veterans' resource fair, and "Dump the drugs" event.
Veteran Employment and Resource Fairs 2 activities
- Participate in community health and safety events
  
  Engages in public health initiatives such as the "Dump the drugs" event and a Veterans' resource fair to connect residents with critical services.
- Veterans' Support
  
  Participates in a Veterans' resource fair.
Sober Social Fellowship Events 1 activity
- Community Health and Safety Initiatives
  
  Congratulates winners of an annual mental health fun run and participates in a "Dump the drugs" event.
Arizona-Based College Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Provide scholarships to Eastern Arizona College students
  
  Offers financial support to students at Eastern Arizona College, with at least one scholarship awarded in June 2024.
Uncategorized 2 activities
- Provide scholarships to Eastern Arizona College students
  
  Offers financial support to students at Eastern Arizona College, with documented scholarships awarded in June 2024 and in prior years.
- Scholarship Program
  
  Provides scholarships to students attending Eastern Arizona College (EAC).

financials · form 990EZ · fy2019

the money

revenue

Total revenue$94K

Contributions & grants$94K100%

Program service revenue——

Investment income——

Other revenue—

expenses

Total expenses$65K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits—

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$54K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$54K

1 years on record · 2019–2019

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2019

who runs it

board members · 1

John Stewart — Director

relationships · 14

who they work with

Arizona Lions Vision and Hearing Foundation Partner — Supports and participates in state Lions projects focused on vision and hearing needs.
Arizona Youth Exchange Partner — Supports and participates in state Lions projects, specifically a 4-week camp for students aged 16-20.
Borderlands Food Bank Partner — Partners for produce distribution events.
Camp AZDA Partner — Partnered with Camp AZDA, a diabetes camp.
Camp Tatiyee Partner — Partnered with Camp Tatiyee.
Eastern Arizona College Partner — Partners with local organizations to expand the scope and impact of service activities.
Eastern Arizona Lions Club Partner — Members of the Eastern Arizona Lions Club attended an event hosted by Safford Lions Club.
Graham County Chamber of Commerce Partner — Partners with local organizations to expand the scope and impact of service activities.
Home Depot Partner — Hosts produce distribution events at its Thatcher location.
Lions Camp Tatiyee Partner — Supports and participates in state Lions projects, providing summer camp experiences for special needs children and adults in Arizona.
Lions Foundation of AZ Partner — Partnered with the Lions Foundation of Arizona.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Partner — Partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Special Olympics Partner — Partners with local organizations to expand the scope and impact of service activities.
St. Vincent de Paul Partner — Partnered with St. Vincent de Paul in November 2025.