Grants have global impact

Grants have global impact

Sep 23, 2025 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Service projects | 0 comments

Clubs on three continents got help with ambitious community projects. 

By Erin Chandler

Earlier this month, we looked at how three Kiwanis clubs in the United States have put their own spin on “classic” Kiwanis projects. But Kiwanis Children’s Fund grants are helping clubs all over the world achieve big things for their communities. 

Below, read about Kiwanis clubs in Asia, Africa and South America that have taken on ambitious projects to support the Kiwanis causes of health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development. 

Tampa Springs Water Project
Kiwanis Club of Mombasa, Kenya
The Kiwanis Club of Mombasa serves an area where 41,720 households had no reliable source of water. In partnership with the Asali Project, the club already has overseen the installation of a submersible pump and a building to house it, but club members still undertake most of the distribution efforts themselves. They carry water either in small carts or 20-liter jerricans to area schools and hospitals. A Children’s Fund grant will help purchase and maintain a water truck with a pump that will deliver water to eight hospitals, one clinic, four dispensaries, four secondary schools and 18 primary schools. Reliable access to clean water for drinking and sanitation will improve the health, school performance and self-esteem of over 60,000 children and spur economic growth in the area. 

Strengthening Kiwanis Doña Julia Kindergarten
Kiwanis Sultana del Valle Club Foundation, Colombia
In cooperation with local universities and the community action board, the Kiwanis Club of La Sultana del Valle has increased the capacity of Doña Julia Kindergarten from 40 to 80 students by reconstructing classrooms, a kitchen and other facilities. A Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant will help with the next phase of the project: purchasing furniture, kitchen equipment and technology. The school will focus on providing education, nutrition and recreation to vulnerable children in the rural area of Cali. In partnership with universities, it will also offer programs on topics like mental health and healthy habits. 

Green Generation Adventure Camp 2025
Kiwanis Club of Klang, Malaysia
In 2024, the popularity of the Kiwanis Club of Klang’s first Green Generation Adventure Camp took club members by surprise — and they want to keep it going. The three-day camp guides 150 young people on the path to becoming the next generation of leaders in environmental stewardship, climate action and sustainable agriculture. Campers participate in interactive, educational workshops and activities on a farm in Malaysia’s tropical forest. In 2025, a Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant will help cover participation and transportation costs for kids from low-income families, especially those in urban areas who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in farming or forest hikes. Grant funds also will help cover the camp’s supplies, food and lodging, activity costs and program facilitators. 

How you can help
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund makes grants that improve the lives of children around the world by identifying projects that create a continuum of impact in a child’s life — one that spans their entire childhood and sets them up for a bright future. Through The Possibility Project, the Children’s Fund ensures that its grantmaking has the greatest possible impact, supporting projects that target the Kiwanis causes — health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development — whether through a Kiwanis club’s local service project or a club’s partner.    

Learn how your club can apply for a grant to help kids in your community. If you are interested in extending your and your club’s impact beyond your community, make a gift in support of The Possibility Project.   

Two For Two works wonders in South Dakota town 

Two For Two works wonders in South Dakota town 

Sep 8, 2025 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

See how the program sparked immediate growth for a U.S. club. 

By Julie Saetre

When Vern Hagedorn took on the role of 2024-25 president of the Kiwanis Club of Black Hills, Hot Springs in South Dakota, U.S., he immediately faced a challenge: The previous year’s treasurer had resigned on the last Saturday of September, and no budget had been started for the impending Kiwanis year. The club roster had only six people — which meant six people to rebuild the club. But with Kiwanis International’s Two For Two initiative, they were enough to get immediate results. 

In clubs practicing Two For Two, two members reach out to two prospects each month. By working as a pair, those two members support each other and reach people more rapidly by strategizing and tailoring how they will explain the club, its impact and the benefits of membership to each prospect. 

For Hagedorn and his club, it’s working. He began by developing a packet of materials to help prepare current members for their first prospect visit. He also created materials about the club and Kiwanis to give to prospects, along with name cards listing contact information for each team.  

Next, one club meeting in November 2024 was devoted to creating a list of prospects to visit, including those working in occupation not represented by current members and anyone else who could enrich the club’s service efforts. A second meeting established teams and determined which pairs would visit which prospects. 

The results: “We have nearly doubled our membership since October 2024, from 6 to 11, and waiting for a response from another,” Hagedorn says. “The Two For Two program is very effective in our small community of about 3,500 residents, and I would highly recommend the program as one means of increasing membership.” 

Inspired to use the program in your club? Go to the Two For Two webpage, where you and your fellow members will find a guide, five easy steps to begin and more — including how to make the program work for your club.  

Already using Two For Two and want to share your success story? Let us know at shareyourstory@kiwanis.org. 

Kiwanis Visionaries enrich membership 

Kiwanis Visionaries enrich membership 

Sep 5, 2025 | Club building, General interest | 0 comments

In a Malaysia club, personal and professional growth add value for members. 

By Destiny Cherry

The Kiwanis Club of Visionaries (KCV) from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, is adding value to membership — and redefining the traditional member experience. In collaboration with the Kiwanis Malaysia District, the newly chartered club has launched a monthly initiative: professional development and networking sessions titled “Kiwanis Malaysia Networking.”  

These sessions are open to all — members, prospective members and guests — to create a platform for community connection and an opportunity for increased Kiwanis visibility.  

Combining service with professional and personal growth opportunities is part of the club’s vision for its mission and its membership, says Adrian Ung, the club’s 2024-25 president.  

“The networking and learning series is our way of staying relevant to today’s professionals,” Ung says, “while furthering the Kiwanis mission of service to children and communities.” 

Each networking session is thoughtfully crafted to ensure interaction, engagement, meaningful connections and diversity of professional backgrounds. Past events have featured local entrepreneurs, authors, career coaches, business leaders and more — each offering practical takeaways and an interactive Q&A. 

The results have been evident, Ung says. Members feel proud to host impactful community sessions, which strengthens their engagement and commitment to the club, while guests have welcomed the fresh approach of blending service with professional development. This angle also has helped attract individuals excited to belong to a progressive club. 

Does your club want to establish a similar initiative? 

“Start simple but focus on quality content,” Ung says. “Invite speakers who can both inspire and connect with the audience. Keep the format interactive, not just one-way talks. Use the events as a bridge for membership recruitment and engagement.”