Lions Save Sight Foundation

The Save Sight & Health Fund objectives are:

To promote, advance and assist the research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of anomalies and diseases of the eye.

The Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Foundation was adopted by the four District Governors of 201 B, D, G & E at the 22nd Multiple District Convention in Canberra in 1974. (Now Lions NSW-ACT Save & Health Fund)

The Foundation is owned by the Lions Clubs of the five Districts ('N' Districts) in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (NSW & ACT).  Each 'N' District is represented by three Directors and the District Governor of the day.

The Directors are elected by delegates at each ‘N’ District Convention to serve for three years on a rotational basis.  The District Governor serves during the term of his/her time in office. Directors are eligible for re-election at the end of their term.

The Foundation currently contributes $110,000.00 annually towards the running costs of the Lions NSW Eye Bank. The Foundation is represented on the Eye Bank Management Committee by the Foundation’s Chairman and three Directors and on the Board of the Save Sight Institute by the Foundation’s Chairman and two Directors.

Now the Foundation gives $55,000 p.a. to the Sydney Eye Hospital foundation to fund the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight Glaucoma Fellowship. The Foundation also contributed $110,000 toward the cost of the $500,000 3D microscope now used in the Sydney Eye Hospital.

Grants approved by the Foundation assist clubs in the purchase of equipment for hospitals and individuals, in training of medical personnel, printing of medical publications and salaries for the Lions Eye Bank etc. All grant applications must conform to the Foundation’s guidelines.

Previous grants have included Argon Lasers for treating eye disease, and other equipment appertaining to sight conditions, funding for sight related research projects with the Save Sight Institute and financial assistance to the Lions NSW Eye Bank. 

The Save Sight Foundation provided the University of Sydney’s Save Sight and Eye Health Institute with seeding funds over a six year period to assist with its establishment. The Lions NSW Eye Bank was established in partnership with the NSW Government Sydney Area Health Service.

The Foundation, since its inception in 1974, has provided funding of more than $4,500,000 in grants to tax deductible gift authorised entities. The Save Sight Foundation provided the University of Sydney's Save Sight and Eye Health Institute with seeding funds over a six year period to assist with its establishment. The Lions NSW Eye Bank was established in partnership with the NSW Government Sydney Area Health Service. The Eye Bank receives a substantial amount annually from the Save Sight Foundation to assist with its ongoing function of trying to keep the community in sight. 

The Save Sight and Eye Health Institute and the Lions NSW Eye Bank are both housed at the Sydney Hospital in Macquarie St, Sydney.  Directors of the Save Sight Foundation serve on the Council of the University of Sydney Save Sight and Eye Health Institute as well as on the Management committee of the Lions NSW Eye Bank.