Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club. Kiwanis members stage more than 150,000 service projects, devote more than six million hours of service and raise nearly US$100 million every year for communities, families and projects. Key Club members pitch in 12 million hours of service each year, and CKI members add another 500,000 hours. Aktion Club members donate another 92,000 hours of service every year to communities. Add it all up and that’s more than 19 million hours of service every year!

Kiwanis clubs have built all-access playgrounds, restocked libraries, created food pantries, bought medical equipment, hosted diversity fairs, stuffed backpacks with school supplies and much, much more. Local projects are based on the needs of the community.

Kiwanis programs for youth and young adults help to create the next generation of community leaders. For instance, Key Club, the world's oldest and largest student-led service organization for high school students, encourages leadership development through service to others. Aktion Club, the only service club for adults with disabilities, helps members find purpose and self-worth through park cleanups, food drives and other projects. And programs like Bring Up Grades and Terrific Kids empower children to be accountable for themselves so they succeed in life.

Eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus

Maternal and neonatal tetanus is deadly. And it’s painful – preventing even the comfort of a mother’s touch. There’s an additional tragedy: MNT is preventable. And yet, millions have died from this disease because of poverty and unsafe birthing practices.

Kiwanis International has been fighting maternal and neonatal tetanus since 2010. We have raised money for lifesaving vaccines, health education, safe birth environments and more — all for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. Millions of women can now give birth without fear of their babies dying from this horrible disease.

Kiwanis International is proud of the role we’ve played, but we’re not done. Kiwanis remains committed to raising money and funding efforts to save and protect mothers and babies in the 12 countries where maternal and neonatal tetanus remain a threat.   

Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Kiwanis International has raised and leveraged more than US$100 million toward the elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), the leading preventable cause of mental and developmental disabilities in the world. UNICEF heralded the effort that began in 1994 as one of the most successful health initiatives ever. Kiwanis International continues to advocate for optimal iodine nutrition and to raise money and fund projects that offer children a chance to live healthier, happier and more productive lines.