Cranleigh And District Lions Club (cio)

Charity Number: 1183809

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £50,000 - £110,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Monthly (applications discussed at monthly business meetings)
  • Grant Range: Varies from small individual grants to major projects (£15,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: Cranleigh and surrounding areas, Surrey
  • Application Method: No formal public application process

Contact Details

  • Website: www.cranleighlions.org
  • Email: secretary@cranleighlions.org
  • Phone: 03458 332711
  • Address: Cranleigh & District Lions Club, Hillview, Smithwood Common, Cranleigh GU6 8QP
  • Social Media: Facebook (@Thelionscranleigh), X (@cranleighlions)

Overview

Founded in March 1974, Cranleigh and District Lions Club (CIO) has been supporting the Cranleigh community for over 50 years. The charity was formally registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in 2019 (Charity Number 1183809), receiving funds transferred from the previous Cranleigh and District Lions Club Charity Trust Fund (289568) in January 2022. The organization operates with 8 trustees and 65 volunteers, with total annual income of approximately £170,000 and distributions ranging from £50,000 to over £110,000 per year depending on fundraising success. Since 1974, the club has raised and distributed over £2 million to support local individuals, families, organizations, and charities in need. The club is a member of the SE District of the British Isles & Ireland Multiple Districts, part of the International Association of Lions Clubs. In their 2022/23 Lion year, they achieved record giving of over £100,000 in support of individuals, families, and local causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Cranleigh Lions does not operate formal grant programs but provides flexible support through trustee discretion. Grants are discussed and approved at monthly business meetings held at Cranleigh Village Sports & Social Club in Parsonage Road.

Types of Support Provided:

  • Individual and Family Assistance: Direct financial help for those in crisis, including fuel bill support through Project Wenceslas (raised over £31,000 in 10 years)
  • Community Infrastructure: Major capital projects such as the £15,000 Mental Health Suite at Glebelands School, the Beacon Suite for mental health support, and the 2009 shelter at Snoxall Fields play area
  • Educational Support: Funding for specific items at schools and nurseries
  • Health and Wellbeing: Support for Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey, Sussex through Eggstravaganza event; welfare support for families and young carers
  • Community Projects: Including the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Beacon and the 2018 Centenary Garden project featuring 450 poppies

Priority Areas

  • Youth and Education: Schools, nurseries, student mental health and wellbeing
  • Health and Social Care: Mental health services, medical equipment, emergency services
  • Community Development: Play areas, community facilities, commemorative projects
  • Crisis Support: Fuel poverty, food insecurity, emergency family assistance
  • Local Charities: Partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau, foodbanks, Homestart, and other local organizations
  • International Disasters: Occasional support for major international relief efforts

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the club focuses exclusively on the Cranleigh area and immediate surroundings for local support, with occasional support for national Lions appeals and international disasters.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 8 trustees oversee the charity's operations. Robert Michael Flacks was appointed as a trustee in 2021.

Leadership Structure: The club operates with a Club President position, with succession celebrated annually at “Changeover Night.” Each fundraising event has a committee that organizes and runs the event, supported by the broader membership.

Membership: The club describes itself as “a strong, growing club” with members from diverse professional backgrounds and age groups. Joining is by invitation and requires attending three monthly business meetings and helping at two events.

Volunteers: 65 active volunteers support the organization's fundraising events and community service activities.

The club emphasizes that trustees receive no remuneration or payments, maintaining a fully volunteer-driven model.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Cranleigh and District Lions Club does not have a formal public application process. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees at their monthly business meetings.

Applications for support are discussed at monthly business meetings held at the Cranleigh Village Sports & Social Club in Parsonage Road, but the club primarily works through established relationships with partner organizations including:

  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Local foodbanks
  • Homestart
  • Social Services
  • Church groups
  • Schools and clubs

The club states: “We work directly with local charities, Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Services, church groups, schools and clubs” and "can provide help to individuals and groups in many ways both physical & financial."

For those seeking support, contacting the Secretary at secretary@cranleighlions.org or writing to the club address is recommended.

Decision Timeline

Applications for support are discussed at monthly business meetings. Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented, but the monthly meeting schedule suggests decisions could be made within a month of submission, subject to the meeting schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented publicly.

Application Success Factors

Based on the club's documented activities and priorities:

Key Success Factors:

  1. Local Focus: The club prioritizes support for individuals, families, and organizations in Cranleigh and the immediate surrounding area. Local impact is paramount.
  1. Community Benefit: Projects that demonstrate clear benefit to the Cranleigh community, particularly those serving multiple beneficiaries or vulnerable populations, appear to receive priority. The £15,000 Mental Health Suite at Glebelands School exemplifies this - serving students with early mental health intervention.
  1. Partnership Approach: The club works closely with established local organizations (Citizens Advice, Homestart, foodbanks, Social Services). Organizations already partnered with these agencies may have better access to support.
  1. Youth and Wellbeing: Recent major grants suggest strong interest in youth development and mental health support.
  1. Sustainable Impact: Capital projects that create lasting infrastructure (play areas, mental health suites, community facilities) receive significant funding.
  1. Emergency Need: Through Project Wenceslas and direct assistance programs, the club responds to individuals and families facing crisis situations, particularly fuel poverty.

Recent Examples of Funded Projects:

  • £15,000 to Glebelands School for Mental Health Suite (2023)
  • Significant funding for Beacon Suite for Mental Health team
  • Project Wenceslas fuel poverty support (£31,000+ over 10 years)
  • 450 poppies installation for Centenary Garden project (2018)
  • Diamond Jubilee Beacon (2012)
  • Snoxall Fields play area shelter (2009)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No formal application process - building relationships with the club and partner organizations (Citizens Advice, Homestart, etc.) is essential
  • Local focus is critical - support is concentrated in Cranleigh and immediate surroundings
  • Range is wide - from small individual crisis grants to major capital projects of £15,000+
  • Contact the Secretary at secretary@cranleighlions.org to discuss potential support needs
  • Youth and mental health appear to be current priorities based on recent significant grants
  • Monthly decision-making through business meetings suggests relatively quick turnaround possible
  • Volunteer-driven organization values community relationships and direct local impact
  • Total annual giving of £50,000-£110,000 demonstrates significant capacity but also heavy competition for limited funds
  • Partnership organizations (CAB, Homestart, foodbanks, Social Services) may provide the best route to support for individuals and smaller organizations

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