The Evolution from Lions Pride Campaign ...to Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc.

The story of the Lions Pride Campaign is the story of one Lion. His dedication, love, conviction and call to action. That Lion is a former president of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and a Past Council Chair of the Wisconsin Lions Council of Governors, DuWayne “Dewey” Carl. Dewey has been a teacher, a coach, and a businessman. He possesses boundless enthusiasm, energy and courage of his convictions. He saw a need and works tirelessly to realize and fulfill his dream of preserving, protecting and providing for the future of all WLF projects.

Lion, DuWayne “Dewey” Carl, has been serving as Chairman of the Lions Pride Campaign. Through his efforts, private funding arrangements for the Campaign were achieved; without them the Wisconsin Lions Foundation lacked financial resources to undertake such an effort. His spirit, voice and support, inform and inspire the success of the Campaign.

Work toward the Campaign began in 2003 with the approval of the WLF Board of Directors to retain a consultant to perform a Feasibility Study about the prospect for success. Results of the study were accepted in late 2004 and extensive planning begun. In May 2005 the Lions of Wisconsin voted to approve the Campaign; later that fall a Campaign Coordinator was hired and the Campaign was introduced in early 2006.

Major commitments appear to be accelerating and interest from the Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. has already begun to help support Wisconsin Lions Foundation operating expenses.

The Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. is managed day-to-day by M&I Wealth Management. To date, major decisions have made by an Investment Board comprised of experienced financial advisors, both Lions and non-Lions. That Investment Board has been guided by two formal documents; the Investment Policy and the Gift Acceptance Policy.

In mid-2011, acting on the advice of the WLF auditor, as well as authoritative legal counsel, the WLF Board of Directors voted to establish two separate 501(c)(3) corporations, one being the Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. Chairman Dewey Carl and the Pride staff are pleased and have encouraged this development for some time.

With the establishment of Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. Pride Chairman, Dewey Carl, assumes the role of CEO/President. He notes that, “The sole purpose of Lions Pride remains the same: to preserve and protect and provide significant financial support to further the exempt projects of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Inc.” While separate corporate entities, the parties will always share common interest in the projects of WLF and those they serve. The Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. “Today’s Help, Tomorrow’s Hope.

Prospective donors may wish to consider a variety of available tax-advantaged and other giving options. These are described in detail under this web site section titled “Planned Giving” The Lions Pride staff is a valuable resource for learning more about Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI, Inc. for additional information and planning support about donation possibilities you are encouraged to contact the Pride Office 715.677.7000.