Microgrants boost health, learning and leadership

Microgrants boost health, learning and leadership

Feb 13, 2024 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund | 0 comments

From October through December, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund helped clubs with fewer members make a bigger difference.

By Erin Chandler

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund awarded microgrants for several deserving Kiwanis club projects in October, November and December of 2023. Carried out by clubs with 35 members or fewer, these projects might seem small, but they’re making a huge impact on kids’ lives in the Kiwanis cause areas: health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development. Read about one outstanding project in each cause area and see how your club could make a big difference in little ways! 

Health and Nutrition
Fleece Blankets for Camp Evergreen Bereavement Camp 

The Kiwanis Club of Knute Rockne Memorial, Granger in Indiana, U.S., knows that caring for kids’ health does not end with nutritious food and exercise — it also includes attention to mental and emotional health. The club provides fleece blankets to Camp Evergreen, a bereavement camp for children who have lost a close family member. Each kid at the grief day camp or the Saturday family workshops learns how to use their blanket as a positive coping tool that they can take home. A Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrant will help the club purchase material, which members will cut and tie into blankets at a service event/potluck dinner. Club members value this project both to support children in need and to build camaraderie with their fellow Kiwanians. 

Education and Literacy
Sulphur Springs Library Improvement Initiative 

In 2022, the small rural town of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, U.S., reopened its public library after years of closure — and the Kiwanis Club of Gravette was there to help. After donating children’s books and a rug for kids to sit on during story time, the club got a microgrant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund to expand its support. As a result, they purchased materials for a new bookcase for the children’s section of the library and more books covering a range of topics and cultures. One group of Kiwanians designed and built the bookcase, while another consulted with the librarian on the most-needed books. The club knows how essential the public library is to increasing literacy in a low-income community where not all families can afford to purchase books of their own. 

Youth Leadership Development
Southern University Laboratory School Garden Enhancement 

The Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge-Early Risers, Louisiana, U.S., has partnered with Cooper Farms and My Kid Plate Foundation on a project that encourages kids to become leaders — while helping them learn about and get access to nutritious food. With assistance from Kiwanians, elementary school students in the Science, Writing and Agriculture (SWAG) program at Southern University Laboratory School are responsible for maintaining and harvesting a garden. The students take the initiative in caring for the garden while learning about the benefits of the healthy food they grow. The quality of the vegetables they produce is evaluated by the Southern University College of Agriculture. The club will use a Children’s Fund microgrant to add equipment and a vertical trellis that will help the garden grow.  

How you can help
To learn more about Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrants, visit kiwanis.org/microgrant-program. 

If you want to amplify your impact to reach children around the world through the Kiwanis causes of health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development, you can make a gift to the Children’s Fund or learn how your club can apply for a grant to help kids in your community today. 

10 reasons: The 2024 Kiwanis International Convention 

10 reasons: The 2024 Kiwanis International Convention 

Feb 9, 2024 | Club building, General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Leadership, News | 0 comments

From education and inspiration to fellowship and voting, a lot of opportunities are packed into our list. 

By Julie Saetre 

The 2024 Kiwanis International Convention will be July 3-6 in Denver, Colorado, U.S. Register now to join your fellow Kiwanians for the most dynamic event on the Kiwanis calendar.  

Here’s why you don’t want to sit this one out: 

  1. Insights and education. No matter what you and your club need to thrive, we’ve got the expert advice and inside information to help you reach — and surpass — your goals. Choose from a diverse lineup of workshops in key categories: 
    • Growing club membership and expanding club reach. Help members take ownership of club growth. Reduce conflict, eliminate apathy and reenergize your club.  
    • Financial stability and fundraising. Ramp up grant-writing techniques to secure key funding for more impactful service projects. Take a fresh approach to fundraising as clubs share how they reimagined stagnant fundraisers or created successful new ones. 
    • Succeed in cyberspace. Maximize your impact on social media. Combat cyberthreats and safeguard club information. Level up your Kiwanis experience through our new membership platform, Kiwanis Engage. 
    • Amplify your service. Learn club secrets for creating more meaningful, effective and sustainable service projects.  
  1. Leadership your way. Wherever you are on your Kiwanis leadership journey, you’ll find motivation and mentorship for your current role — and preparation for the next levels. For leaders at the club, division, district and international levels, our targeted workshops will send participants home feeling inspired, prepared and empowered. 
  1. Kiwanis family fellowship. Reconnect with Kiwanis friends and make new connections from around the world. The Kiwanis International convention provides plenty of opportunities to relax and socialize — from the Welcome Reception to the Convention Kickoff to the grand finale, Kiwanis Dancing Through the Decades. And be sure to stop by the Circle K International booth in Kiwanis Marketplace. Our university/college members are holding their convention alongside Kiwanis, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about their amazing service work. 
  1. Kiwanis Launchpad: Embracing Change. Explore what’s possible when you and your club embrace change. Four internationally known speakers share secrets on nurturing lifelong club members and incorporating new ideas. Kiwanis Launchpads are short, high-impact and sure to leave you full of ideas. 
  1. Kiwanis Marketplace. Find inspiration, fellowship, products and more at this convention hotspot. Here, you can register for the convention, browse booths from vendors and partners, shop for Kiwanis merchandise (including convention-branded items), ask questions, participate in service projects, pose for fun photos and visit Kiwanis candidates’ campaign booths. New to the Marketplace this year is the Membership Fair. Pick up tips from clubs that have added members! (Interested in exhibiting? Apply by April 15!) 
  1. Inspiration. From the triumph of love over hate to the power of perseverance, our captivating conference speakers will motivate and move you. The opening session features Chris Singleton, a former professional baseball player who was 18 when his mother died in a racially motivated mass killing. He has dedicated his life to sharing his message of resilience, forgiveness and unity. In 2015, Diana Nyad achieved her 35-year quest of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida. She will inspire you to navigate your own challenges and opportunities during the convention.  
  1. Annual meeting. Make your voice heard. You’ll be informed about the business of Kiwanis International, and delegates from clubs around the world will elect our next leaders and vote on amendments. Be in the room where it happens! 
  1. Celebrations. From the Welcome Reception and the Convention Kickoff to the Dancing through the Decades last-night gala, you’ll have plenty of time to celebrate Kiwanis and the amazing work our clubs and members accomplish every day. You can personalize your experience by having breakfast with our Signature Project Contest finalists (and seeing who wins the big prize), enjoying lunch while celebrating the accomplishments of our Service Leadership Program participants and discovering what’s possible through the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. Then hit the dance floor with your fellow Kiwanians — in clothing that reflects your favorite decade. The eight-piece band Your Generation in Concert will perform songs from five decades of hits. 
  1. Extras for early birds. The first 1,000 registrants for the full convention package will each receive a free ticket to see the Colorado Rockies take on the Milwaukee Brewers July 4 at Coors Field. After the game, stay for a special fireworks display. (Note: Transportation to or from the game will not be provided.) On Wednesday, July 3, a lucky group will go on a field trip with Landscape Structures to an amazing playground near Denver. Act fast — only 50 spots are available! (Transportation and lunch are included. Book the tour through your conference registration confirmation email.) 
  1. Destination Denver. In the Mile High City, you can dine at award-winning restaurants, sip craft beer in one of many breweries, tour historical sites, join an ATV tour, take the family to Denver’s world-class zoo or its downtown aquarium — design your own adventure! Or use Denver as a starting point for exploring the Rocky Mountains, only two hours away from the city. 
Grants galvanize Key Club projects

Grants galvanize Key Club projects

Jan 23, 2024 | Fundraising, General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Leadership, Literacy, News, Service Leadership Programs | 0 comments

Key Clubs around the world receive Youth Opportunities Fund grants from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. 

By Erin Chandler 

Key Clubs are making a difference in their schools, their communities and the world — and their impact should not be underestimated. The Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the Youth Opportunities Fund to provide resources that help Key Club service projects reach their full potential.  

This year, the Children’s Fund awarded Youth Opportunities Fund grants to 43 Key Clubs around the world — 25 of them totaling US$1,000 or more. Of all the projects receiving grants, more than half provided essential supplies to vulnerable people in clubs’ communities. Some projects helped clubs improve their schools, transforming them into better places to learn. Others supported Key Club members in mentoring younger students. And some projects stood out for focusing on fun and creative events. 

The following, in no particular order, are the top 15 projects as determined by representatives of the Key Club International Board and the Children’s Fund: 

ElevateEd: STEM in the Himalayas
Key Club of Kathmandu, Nepal
With a series of code camps and robotics workshops, the Key Club of Kathmandu is bringing a practical approach to STEM education into Nepal’s secondary schools. Led by Key Club members and volunteers with expertise in STEM fields, the workshops will help students of all backgrounds apply concepts they have learned in class to hands-on projects. In addition to developing vital skills in scientific fields, participants will learn teamwork and how to present their projects in exhibitions. 

“Key to Sweet Dreams” Bedtime Kits
Key Club of Boyd County High School, Kentucky, U.S.
Every year, the Key Club of Boyd County collects donations and holds drives to gather enough new sheets, blankets, mattress covers, pillows, stuffed animals, books, night-lights, alarm clocks and hygiene products to make 125-250 “bedtime kits.” Their partner organization, Ashland Build-A-Bed, then builds a corresponding number of twin beds and purchases mattresses for children ages 2-18 in the five-county area. The Boyd County High School Key Club founded this project in 2019, and this is the fourth time it has received a Youth Opportunities Fund grant.  

Blankets From Mae
Key Club of Melvindale High School, Michigan, U.S.
In cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of Dearborn and other area Key Clubs, the Key Club of Melvindale High School has set a goal to make 350 blankets to donate to University of Michigan Health Infusion Services. Chemotherapy and infusion treatments can take multiple hours, and the club’s handmade blankets will make the experience more comfortable for patients. The “Blankets From Mae” project is named for a club member’s mother, who receives infusions at that location. 

Helping the Homeless Initiative
Key Club of Hagerty High School, Florida, U.S.
The Key Club of Hagerty High School aims to help the unhoused population in its community by collecting donations of food, toiletries and other essentials — such as blankets and clothes — and distributing them via local shelters. Club members also will make sandwiches for the shelters. In addition to helping those in need, the club hopes to educate classmates about homelessness and compassion. 

Walk for Clean Water
Key Club of Hershey High School, Pennsylvania, U.S.
The Key Club of Hershey High School is doing its part to end the global water crisis by partnering with Thirst Project in its Walk for Clean Water. Participants walk 3.75 miles — the same average distance women and children walk in many developing areas of the world to reach the nearest source of water. Funds raised via the Walk for Clean Water will go toward constructing clean wells in the Kingdom of Eswatini.  

Care Kits For Kids
Key Club of Desert Oasis High School, Nevada, U.S.
The Key Club of Desert Oasis High School is focusing on helping youth experiencing homelessness in Las Vegas. The club will assemble different types of care kits — hygiene kits containing travel-sized toiletries; holiday gift kits with items such as phone chargers, journals, blankets, socks and more; and snack kits containing canned meats, fruit, granola bars, chips and juice— to offer care, support and hope to young people. The club will donate kits to local homeless and youth centers. 

Fulfilling Need With Seeds
Key Club of Fruita Monument High School, Colorado, U.S.
The Key Club of Fruita Monument High School is partnering with the Mesa Club, which designs and builds projects, to establish a hydroponic gardening system at its school. By caring for the garden, students will learn sustainable gardening techniques, leadership skills and responsibility. The club will donate the freshly grown garden produce to families of fellow students in need and to local food banks. 

Growing Together Garden
Key Club of Sharon High School, Massachusetts, U.S.
The Key Club of Sharon High School is turning a designated plot in a local community garden into a space where students can join with other community members to learn about sustainable gardening and grow fresh produce. A portion of the food grown in the garden will be donated to local food banks and shelters. The club hopes the garden will become “a vibrant, sustainable and educational resource.” 

Life Skills Prom
Key Club of Kewanee High School, Illinois, U.S.
Each year, the Key Club of Kewanee High School holds a prom for students with disabilities in the school’s Life Skills program. In recent years, club members have invited students from neighboring school districts as well. Many of these students are not able to attend the school’s official prom, which occurs on a Saturday evening, so the Life Skills Prom is held in the gym during the school day. Students’ families also attend to take pictures and watch their kids have a blast at an event geared to make them feel included. 

Lifeline Meal Packing Project
Key Club of Bay High School, Ohio, U.S.
At least 100 members of the Key Club of Bay High School will participate in a food packaging event for Project Lifeline. Participants will mix, weigh, seal and box meals in a 10-station assembly line, after which the boxes will be shipped to communities in Somalia struggling with hunger and malnutrition. 

Packages 4 Preemies
Key Club of Fiorello LaGuardia High School, New York, U.S.
When the Key Club of Fiorello LaGuardia High School learned about the challenges of finding clothes and supplies small enough for premature babies and caring for preemies as they grow, members knew they had to help. Throughout the year, the club will collect care items for premature babies and raise funds for the babies’ families. Club members will package the items and attach handwritten messages of care and encouragement.  

Homeless Care Pac-KEY-ges
Key Club of Piedmont Hills High School, California, U.S.
The Key Club of Piedmont Hills High School plans to purchase enough supplies, including shelf-stable food and personal hygiene items, to make 100 care packages for people experiencing homelessness. Club members will hold a service event to assemble the packages, which they will donate to local shelters. 

Suzy Foundation Walk
Key Club of Tempe Union High School, Arizona, U.S.
The Key Club of Tempe Union High School plans to raise funds for the Suzy Foundation, which provides medical equipment for children with disabilities, with a carnival located around the school’s athletic track. Attendees will be able to purchase food and play fun games. The Suzy Foundation is named for a current student in the Tempe Union High School district.  

The Nepean Annual Spaghetti Dinner
Key Club of Nepean High School, Ontario, Canada
The Key Club of Nepean High School’s annual spaghetti dinner event serves two purposes. First, it raises funds for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario via a silent auction of items donated by local businesses. It also welcomes the incoming class of new students and their families with a delicious dinner, engaging them in the school community for the first time. 

Members of the Clackamas High School Key Club sort donations at their Winter Blitz eventWinter Blitz 2023
Key Club of Clackamas High School, Oregon, U.S.
The Key Club of Clackamas High School (left), teams up with the Key Club of Adrienne C. Nelson High School for its Winter Blitz project to collect essential items — including food, clothing, furniture, toiletries and toys — for local families in need. The project has been held each winter for the past 26 years. It helped 631 families last year alone. 

How to get involved
Does your Key Club have a project idea that could benefit from a Youth Opportunities Fund grant? Learn more about the grant and how to apply on the Key Club website. If your Kiwanis club does not yet sponsor a Key Club, learn about the advantages of chartering one today on the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs page.