International Association Of Lions Clubs

## Approach Strategy

The Nordman Lions Club is a local chapter of Lions Clubs International (LCI) — one of the world's largest service club organizations — serving the remote Priest Lake community in northern Idaho's Bonner County. This is a hyper-local, community-driven chapter focused on meeting direct rural needs: emergency services funding, youth recreation, outdoor trail maintenance, and Christian community outreach.

Geographic context: Nordman is a small unincorporated community on the western shore of Priest Lake, a recreational lake in Idaho's panhandle. The year-round population is very small, swelling seasonally with tourists and cabin owners. The Lions Club here plays an outsized role in local services given the limited municipal infrastructure.

Operational model: Like all Lions Clubs, this chapter raises funds through community events, dues, and donations, then disburses to local causes through member-directed giving. Decisions are made by the local club membership — not through formal grant applications. Relationships with club members are essential to receiving support.

Not a traditional foundation: While registered as a 501(c)(3) under LCI's umbrella, this entity functions as a community service club, not a grantmaking foundation that accepts proposals.

## Funding Patterns

• Asset base: ~$112,964 (small rural chapter)
• Annual disbursements (recent filing):
• - Priest Lake Christian Community Outreach: $4,500
• - Priest Lake EMTs: $1,122
• - Kids Fishing Day: $750
• - Priest Lake Groomers Association: $700
• - Total: ~$7,072 in program expenses
• Grant size range: $700–$4,500 per recipient/program
• Funding frequency: Annual disbursements aligned with club meeting cycles
• Revenue sources: Community fundraisers, member dues, donations from summer residents and lake community
• Restrictions: Disbursements are member-directed to local Priest Lake area organizations and programs only

## Peer Comparison

Assessment: The Nordman chapter is typical of rural Lions Clubs — lean asset base, high community impact per dollar in a setting where no other funder is present. Its significance far exceeds its financial scale in the Priest Lake context. For organizations seeking larger grants, Bonner County Community Foundation is the appropriate regional alternative.

## Recent Activity

• Annual disbursements continue to the same four local programs: Christian community outreach, EMT support, Kids Fishing Day, and Groomers Association — indicating stable, consistent community giving priorities.
• Priest Lake Groomers Association (snowmobile trail maintenance) support reflects the outdoor recreation economy central to the region's winter tourism.
• Kids Fishing Day programming supports youth outdoor engagement — a priority in rural Idaho communities.
• EMT funding fills a critical gap given Nordman's remote location (nearest hospital is 30+ miles away).

## Application Tips

1. Local organizations only: This club funds Priest Lake-area causes exclusively. If your organization operates elsewhere in Idaho or nationally, this club is not an appropriate funding target.

2. Relationship-based access: There is no formal application process. The pathway to funding is through personal connection with club members. Attend Lions Club meetings (typically monthly), introduce your program, and let members decide.

3. Small ask, clear local impact: Given the $700–$4,500 disbursement range, keep funding requests modest and demonstrate direct, tangible benefit to the Priest Lake community.

4. Eligible focus areas: Programs in community safety (EMT/fire support), youth outdoor recreation, trail maintenance, or Christian community services align with the club's existing giving priorities.

5. Seasonal timing: Nordman's community is more active April–October (lake season). Plan outreach during the active season when membership engagement is highest.

6. LCI national resources: If your program serves Lions Club focus areas (vision care, disaster relief, diabetes, childhood cancer, hunger, environment), also explore Lions Club International Foundation grants directly at lcif.org — far larger funding available at the national level.