Guildford Lions Club (CIO)

Guildford Lions Club (CIO), established in 1967 as a volunteer-driven branch of Lions Clubs International, is a Guildford-based charity dedicated to making tangible differences in local lives through community service, inclusion, and practical support. Rooted in values of compassion, non-political and non-religious inclusivity, fun in service, and rapid response to human needs, it fosters social cohesion by addressing urgent gaps in Guildford, with occasional international aid via the Lions network.

The club funds a broad spectrum of charitable causes benefiting Guildford residents, prioritizing health and wellbeing (e.g., mental health via Oakleaf, food banks), poverty alleviation and emergency relief (vouchers, direct aid), youth development (HALOW Project, GASP Motor Project), social inclusion (Basketball4All), services for elderly and disabled people, education (schools, Guildford Shakespeare Company), and core costs or innovative projects for local voluntary groups. Recent grants include £7,500 to mental health services, £6,000 in family vouchers, and £5,000 to Guildford Action, supporting all ages amid hardship.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, academic institutions, and occasionally individuals, with no income thresholds but a preference for small, grassroots organizations demonstrably serving Guildford and surrounds; large national charities are unlikely unless locally focused. Applications are welcomed unsolicited via email or website contact form, describing the need, budget, and local impact—no formal form required. Decisions occur at monthly trustee meetings on a rolling basis, with responses in 4-8 weeks; typical grants range £500–£7,500, mostly £1,000–£5,000.

Distinctive for its embedded local intelligence, flexible emergency response, volunteer engagement, and partnership ethos, it avoids political/religious activities or non-Guildford priorities, standing out as a responsive, community-led funder for practical, high-impact aid.