A record 590 clubs submitted entries for the 2026 contest.
By Erin Chandler
The top 21 finalists have been selected for consideration in the 2026 Signature Project Contest.
Communities around the world know their Kiwanis clubs through their signature projects. Whether it’s a festival, a fundraiser or an effort to help those in need, each signature project is tailored to the community it serves — with the goal of making it a better place to be a kid.
This year, a record-breaking 590 clubs submitted projects that serve kids in 46 Kiwanis districts all over the world. Each Kiwanis district selected its nominees. Members of the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees then reviewed the district winners and selected finalists in each of two groups based on club size. Below, in alphabetical order according to district, are the 10 finalists in Group II — clubs with 28 or more members.
Kiwanis Reads
Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Alabama District
In just five years, the Kiwanis Club of Alabama’s Kiwanis Reads program has grown to serve 1,000 Birmingham preschools. In fact, the program added two more this year — that’s 200 more students — and there’s a wait list. Twice a year, each preschool classroom is visited by one of over 100 Kiwanis club or Circle K International volunteer readers, some of whom dress as book characters or even Santa Claus. After the reading session, every student gets a book for their home library. Each book contains a QR code linked to a video of a Kiwanian reading the book aloud, in case there is no adult available to read to the child in English. The club also reaches additional kids in the community by partnering with the Sheriff’s Office on the Books Not Bullets program, in which deputies hand out books to children while on patrol, further encouraging literacy and fostering positive relationships between police and the community. Teachers love that Kiwanis Reads sets kids up to read at grade level when they reach elementary school.
Kiwanis Chicken BBQ
Kiwanis Club of Bridgeville, Delaware, U.S.
Capital District
The Kiwanis Club of Bridgeville’s chicken barbecue stand has been a part of the community for 64 years, serving delicious food to thousands of people — and supporting thousands more with the proceeds. During the 2025 “chicken barbecue season,” the stand cooked and sold 22,880 halves of chicken. Sometimes it is run by Kiwanis or Key Club members; on other days, community organizations take over for their fundraising. During last season, over 30 local organizations raised funds through the chicken barbecue stand, including churches, youth sports leagues, 4-H and Future Farmers of American programs, underfunded school clubs, the Friends of the Greenwood Library and local performing arts. Since 2011, community organizations have raised over US$692,000 through the stand. Additionally, the club raises funds to support local schools, senior centers, hospitals, food pantries and scholarships. The stand also has opened on select Fridays to raise thousands of dollars for disaster relief throughout the country.
Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk/Wheelchair
Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay, Jamaica
Eastern Cananda and the Caribbean District
The Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay’s Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk/Wheelchair brings over 2,000 people from Jamaica and beyond together to “support the fighters, admire the survivors and honor the taken.” The event raises awareness about breast cancer and includes an education component. Last year, a surgeon gave a presentation on reconstructive surgery for breast cancer survivors. But it also raises over US$10,000 for screening, scans, surgery and support for people in the community experiencing or recovering from breast cancer. Additional funds go to the Jamacia Cancer Society and the Cornwall Regional Hospital’s pediatric oncology ward. Sixty-nine Kiwanis club members and 133 Key Club and Aktion Club members participate in and volunteer at the event. The eight area Key Clubs even have a competition to see who can get the most participants to register. This year’s 5K had special significance: After it was postponed by Hurricane Melissa, the race became a celebration of resilience, raising additional funds and using partnerships to provide care packages for those affected by the devasting storm.
Safety Village of Wayne County
Kiwanis Club of Richmond, Indiana, U.S.
Indiana District
The Kiwanis Club of Richmond has decades of experience teaching kids how to stay safe — beginning even before the construction of a permanent Safety Village 23 years ago. Now local children come to a miniature town to learn about “stranger danger,” fire safety, bike safety, traffic safety, drug awareness, gun safety, poison safety and bullying prevention — and each kid walks away with a free bike helmet. The club works with EMTs and trainers from the local police department, fire department and sheriff’s office for safety classes, including the “Summer Safety KAMP.” Other community partners help with supplies, funding and fundraising. And at Halloween, Safety Village hosts a safe trick-or-treat event. Thousands of kids have benefited from Safety Village classes, and the project has inspired 20 new members to become Kiwanians.
Kiwanis Reading Rodeo
Kiwanis Club of Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
Kentucky-Tennessee District
The Kiwanis Club of Clarksville has been invested in children’s literacy for more than 45 years. In 2017, it instituted the Reading Rodeo program — so named because funding for the project comes from the club’s annual Bill Hoy Kiwanis Rodeo. Through a partnership with Scholastic Books, the Reading Rodeo provides every third-grade student — that’s over 3,200 of them — with their own copy of a selected book each year. The club also works with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System to incorporate the book into the school curriculum, so students learn to not only love reading, but to share that love with their classmates. To kick off the experience, the students are invited to a speaking event. In 2025, thousands of children filled F&M Bank Arena to hear from local author Chris Grabenstein, author of that year’s book, “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.” The Reading Rodeo makes reading fun — and an experience students will never forget.
Kiwanis Club of Fargo Annual Pancake Karnival
Kiwanis Club of Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Minnesota-Dakotas District
Everyone in Fargo knows and loves the Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Karnival. Held annually for 67 years, it’s a tradition for generations of families — both as attendees and volunteers. Many of the Fargo Kiwanians’ reasons for joining Kiwanis involve childhood memories of the Pancake Karnival. Some attendees have never missed a single Karnival and are now bringing their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a day of fun that gives back to the community. The goal of the Pancake Karnival is to raise as much as possible for grants to support children. Last year, US$25,000 helped create a Kiwanis-branded space in a city park centered on children’s mental health awareness, with US$42,750 left for local nonprofits. This year, the club plans to award US$30,000 to three organizations that address childhood food insecurity. And many of the organizations that have received grants over the years return the favor as Pancake Karnival volunteers — a full-circle Kiwanis moment!
Niagara County Peach Festival
Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, New York, U.S.
New York District
For residents of Lewiston, New York, U.S., summer officially ends with the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston’s Niagara County Peach Festival. The four-day event sells seven tons of peach shortcake and thousands of hamburgers and hot dogs — but that’s not all. It includes a 5K run, a taste-off of homemade peach desserts, live music from local bands, the All-Star Cheerleading Competition, midway rides and games, and the famous Peach Festival Parade. The festival has been growing for 67 years, and nearly every club member can at least partially attribute their interest in Kiwanis to this tradition. What’s more, almost every local organization and business gets involved in some way, through donating land for parking, providing security, waste management and more. Everyone is eager to pitch in for a good cause. All 25 vendors are local businesses and restaurant owners, and Kiwanis Service Leadership Program members serve concessions and run booths. Festival proceeds help community members and organizations in need throughout the year.
Gira Médica y Asistencial de Piedra de Amolar en Cañazas de Veraguas (Medical and Assistance Tour of Piedra de Amolar in Cañazas de Veraguas)
Kiwanis Club Metropolitan, Panama City, Panamá
Panama District
For the past 21 years, more than half of the Metropolitan Kiwanis Club of Panama City embarks on an annual tour of remote communities in the Piedra de Amolar mountains. The project requires months of preparation and takes place with support from the Ministry of Health, National Civil Protection System and Office of the First Lady. Medical students from the University of Panama in Santiago accompany club members to prescribe and distribute medications and to provide dental, gynecological and general physical exams. The club also brings clothing, shoes, school supplies and snacks for people living in extreme poverty. The Key Club of Oxford International School takes charge of providing shoes through its annual shoe drive. The medical and assistance tour has even built three concrete classrooms and constructed a well and aqueduct for a community that lacked potable water. When they see the children’s joyous faces, Metropolitan Kiwanis Club members know they aren’t just bringing supplies. They’re supplying hope where it’s needed most.
Kiwanis Caring Kitchen
Kiwanis Club of Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Pennsylvania District
After an eight-year-old in the community died from malnutrition, the Kiwanis Club of Erie vowed to make sure such a tragedy would not happen again. In collaboration with Community Shelter Services (CSS), it opened the Kiwanis Caring Kitchen, a small structure in a parking lot that offers three meals a day, seven days a week, for anyone who is hungry — no questions asked. Customers are typically children and families from the neighborhood, but some come from further away, including those experiencing homelessness. The school bus stops nearby, so every child who boards the bus has something to eat. Local Scout troops have made picnic tables for outdoor seating, and Kiwanians painted the kitchen exterior to make it bright and welcoming. CSS staff oversee the kitchen, and on-site volunteers include Kiwanis, Key Club, Aktion Club and K-Kids members. Local businesses and community members have donated money, food and supplies. The project is a true community effort, and it has paid off. In just two years, the club estimates the Kiwanis Caring Kitchen has served 90,000 people.
A Garden Built on Service
Kiwanis Club of Sunshine of Cavite, Cavite, Philippines
Philippine Luzon District
Over the past three years, the Kiwanis Club of Sunshine of Cavite has sponsored and supported hydroponic farming systems or greenhouse facilities at five public high schools. The result: Across all five schools, more than 10,000 students each year (including the Builders Club of Francisco Barzaga Integrated High School) — learn about sustainable agriculture in a practical, hands-on environment. These gardens also improve food security in the schools and communities by providing a sustainable source of fresh produce. Through this project, the Kiwanis Club of Sunshine of Cavite creates a legacy in both education and sustainability.