What is Kiwanis
Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research, and much more. No problem is too big or too small. Why? Because working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things happen!
Kiwanis International is the only service organization that builds leaders at every level—from the youngest Kiwanis Kids all the way through several youth programs and adult programs.
Membership
About 8,000 clubs in 96 countries
More than 260,000 adult members
Approximately 320,000 youth
History
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915
Started with focus on business networking
1919 changed to a focus on service
In 1994, Kiwanis launched its first Worldwide Service Project, a $75 million
campaign in partnership with UNICEF to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders
by the year 2000. IDD projects have been funded in 95 nations. Kiwanis International
Foundation has raised nearly $100 million to eliminate IDD worldwide.