Lions Club Of Fleet (cio)

Charity Number: 1177181

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £145,000+ (2023-24)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Monthly committee meetings (third Wednesday)
Grant Range: £50 - £12,000
Geographic Focus: Fleet and surrounding areas, Hampshire

Contact Details

Website: www.fleetlions.org.uk

Email: secretary@fleetlions.org.uk

Phone: 01252 624770

Charity Number: 1177181

Specific Programme Contacts:

Young People's Bursaries: bursaries@fleetlions.org.uk
Fuel & Utilities Project: fuel@fleetlions.org.uk

Overview

The Lions Club of Fleet (CIO) has been serving the local community since 1974, operating as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1177181) since 2018 when it transferred from its previous structure (charity 279279). With annual expenditure exceeding £145,000 and supported by 7 trustees and 100 volunteers, the organisation raises funds through major community events including their annual Beerfest in August, Town Firework Display in November (which alone raised £38,000 in 2024), and touring Santa Sleigh in December. The club's mission focuses on financially assisting local charities and good causes through fundraising events and community service activities for the needy and elderly. Their work encompasses both direct community support and grant-making to local organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Programme

Amount: £50 - £12,000
Process: Rolling applications reviewed monthly by Community Services Committee
Notable: Largest recorded grant was £12,000 for a viewing area at Fleet Pond

Young People's Bursaries

Purpose: Funding trips abroad for young people to help less fortunate communities
Contact: bursaries@fleetlions.org.uk
Amount: Variable
Additional: Awards through Lions Young Leaders in Service scheme for youth active in the Fleet community

Fuel & Utilities Assistance

Purpose: Direct payment of energy or water utility charges for families in fuel poverty
Process: Applications through partner organisations (Citizens Advice, Fleet Phoenix, MHA, Royal British Legion, VIVID Housing)
Contact: fuel@fleetlions.org.uk
Note: Payments made directly to utility providers, not individuals

Priority Areas

Youth organisations and Scout groups (equipment and activities)
Disability support groups
Local charities and community services
Educational initiatives
Hospices and healthcare equipment
Community First Responders
Environmental projects
International humanitarian efforts (on a smaller scale)

Recent Grant Examples (2023-24):

Specialised beds for hospices
Tenting kit for local Scout groups
Equipment for Community First Responders
Support for disability groups
Youth activity funding

What They Don't Fund

Projects outside the Fleet and immediate surrounding area (for local grants)
Applications where assistance can be obtained from government agencies or national charitable organisations
Individuals directly (except through specific programmes like Fuel Project via partner organisations)
Projects lacking community benefit
Requests from organisations with sufficient alternative funding sources

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Governance and Leadership

The Lions Club of Fleet is governed by 7 trustees and supported by 100 active volunteers. The organisation operates with a Community Services Committee that vets all applications before submission to the full club for approval.

Key Operational Structure:

Community Services Committee meets monthly (third Wednesday, 8:00pm)
Committee vets applications for validity
Ensures assistance cannot be obtained elsewhere
Full club approval required for grants

The organisation is part of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest voluntary organisation, but operates independently for local grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Fleet Lions does not have a formal public application process with standardised forms. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the following methods:

Email: secretary@fleetlions.org.uk
Use the contact form on their website

Young People's Bursaries: bursaries@fleetlions.org.uk
Fuel & Utilities Assistance: fuel@fleetlions.org.uk (or through partner organisations)

Applications are vetted by the Community Services Committee
Committee validates requests and confirms no alternative funding sources exist
Recommendations forwarded to the full club for approval

Decision Timeline

Committee Meetings: Third Wednesday of each month at 8:00pm
Processing Time: Applications reviewed at next available monthly meeting
Notification: Applicants informed following club approval
Typical Timeline: 4-8 weeks from submission to decision (depending on meeting schedule)

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, the club distributes grants totalling approximately £145,000 annually across multiple recipients, indicating active grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Contact the club directly regarding reapplication if initially unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the organisation's documented approach and priorities:

Validation Requirements:

The Community Services Committee explicitly states they vet applications “to ensure the validity, and to confirm that assistance cannot otherwise be obtained from Central or Local Government agencies, or specific National Charitable Organisations.”
Action Point: Clearly demonstrate in your application that you have exhausted other funding sources, particularly statutory funding and national charities in your sector.

Local Impact Focus:

Fleet Lions describes itself as “the largest community service group in Fleet” and focuses on local charitable work
Recent grants have supported local Scout groups, Community First Responders, and Fleet-based disability groups
Action Point: Emphasise the direct benefit to Fleet residents and the local community. Include specific beneficiary numbers from the Fleet area.

Community Service Alignment:

The organisation's motto is “We Serve” and they prioritise projects that align with community service values
As stated on their website: “Serving the community is the reason that inspires people to become Lions”
Action Point: Frame your project in terms of community service and how it serves those in need

Equipment and Tangible Outcomes:

Examples of successful grants include “specialised beds for hospices” and “tenting kit for local Scout groups”
The club appears to favour requests for specific equipment or tangible items rather than general running costs
Action Point: If possible, frame your request around specific equipment or deliverable items with clear costs

Partnership Approach:

For the Fuel Project, Fleet Lions works with established partners (Citizens Advice, Fleet Phoenix, MHA, Royal British Legion, VIVID Housing)
Action Point: Mention any partnerships with recognised local organisations or how your work complements existing community services

Youth and Vulnerable Groups:

Dedicated bursary programme for young people
Active support for disability groups and elderly through community services
Action Point: Highlight if your project serves young people, elderly, or disabled beneficiaries in Fleet

Pre-Application Contact Encouraged:

The website states: "It is recommended to contact the club before making a formal application, to discuss your group's needs"
Action Point: Always make initial contact before submitting a full request to establish relationship and confirm eligibility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Contact first: Pre-application discussion is recommended and helps establish whether your project fits their criteria
Prove exhausted alternatives: Explicitly demonstrate you've approached government agencies and national charities without success - this is a core validation requirement
Think local and specific: Fleet Lions funds Fleet-area projects with tangible, specific outcomes (equipment, specific activities) rather than general operating costs
Timing matters: Apply well before your deadline as decisions happen monthly - allow 6-8 weeks minimum
Multiple routes available: Consider whether your project fits their Community Grants, Youth Bursaries, or could partner with their Fuel Project
Relationship-based: With 100 volunteers active in Fleet, building connections with Lions members may strengthen applications
Volume of giving: With £145,000+ distributed annually through events like fireworks (£38,000 raised in 2024) and Beerfest, they are an active and significant local funder