Kiwanis’ global impact in 2023

Check out some of Kiwanis’ biggest moments this year.

By Sarah Moreland

Making a difference
Kiwanians all around the world did what we do best: helping others. Members in Barbados provided opportunities to play for kids of all abilities. Further north, Kiwanians in Pennsylvania, U.S., provided disaster relief for 45 people displaced by a fire. Canadian volunteers collaborated with Kiwanians in Iceland to distribute bicycle helmets to kids, and members across Europe have continued to provide relief supplies to Ukrainian refugees (pictured above).

Volunteers’ impact is seen in the lives of kids and communities everywhere. Brooke Moreland, whose family was homeless when she joined Key Club International, credits Key Club for giving her the skills and confidence to pursue her doctorate degree. And a Kiwanis meeting helped “Reggie” Regino save a life.

The best of the best
More than 400 clubs across 42 districts vied for one of the top spots in the 2023 Signature Service Project Contest. Impactful winning projects ranged from programs that empower single mothers to a free children’s health clinic to a reading hub created to eliminate the post-pandemic literacy gap. See the full list of winners.  

Enter the 2024 Signature Service Project Contest! The submission period is now open.

The power of community
We do more good together — and that’s why Kiwanis members joined members of Lions Clubs International, Optimist International and Rotary International to serve even more people, families and neighborhoods. See how Kiwanians from around the world — from India and Canada to the Cayman Islands and the United States — participated in the third annual Celebrate Community week this past September.

Supporting youth leaders
Seven outstanding Key Club International seniors and Circle K International members were recognized with Kiwanis Children’s Fund scholarships — out of an applicant field of more than 450 students. Meet each of this year’s deserving student leaders.

Applications for 2024 scholarships are now open! Encourage eligible Key Club and CKI students to apply by February 1.

A day to give
Our inaugural Kiwanis Day of Giving raised more than US$56,000 — exceeding our initial goal and impacting more than 25,000 kids! Thank you for your support!

Mark your calendars for Kiwanis Day of Giving 2024: On February 21, we aim to raise US$75,000 to reach 30,000 kids. Join us to help kids on this special day!

Helping where it’s needed most
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund helped the Kiwanis family reach more kids in 2023, with a record 183 grants and scholarships awarded throughout the year. The Children’s Fund also added a new opportunity with the introduction of the Microgrant Program. For clubs with 35 members or fewer, the program offers a chance to apply for grants of US$250-$1,000. Meanwhile, the Children’s Fund continued the Kiwanis family’s support for the fight against maternal and neonatal tetanus — with a US$275,000 grant to UNICEF in October.

A global celebration
More than 1,500 Kiwanis members from 49 districts celebrated another year of service to kids and communities at the 2023 Kiwanis International Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Hundreds of members also participated virtually. Kiwanians heard from inspirational speakers, elected Kiwanis’ new leaders and renewed their commitment to help even more kids in their communities.

Save the date! The 2024 Kiwanis International Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado, U.S., July 3-6.

And that’s not all! Our Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs saw successes too!

Key Club International
Our program for high school students continues to grow — with more than 220,000 members globally! Student leaders gathered in Anaheim, California, U.S., in July for the annual Key Club International convention, where they further improved their leadership skills, learned how to help others through Key Club’s service partners and elected the 2023-24 board, led by President Kyle Hanson of the Pacific Northwest District. Key Club members also continue to raise money for Start Strong: Zambia, a fundraising campaign with UNICEF to support early childhood education in the southeastern African nation.

Save the date: Key Club turns 100 in 2025! Ask your sponsored Key Club how you can help commemorate the historic milestone — or charter a new Key Club in honor of the anniversary.

Circle K International
CKI, our program for college and university students, held its 2023 convention in Minneapolis in tandem with the Kiwanis International convention. Delegates elected Zak Kahn of the New England District to serve as 2023-24 Circle K International president. Attendees participated in workshops about CKI projects and initiatives, including its newest: Brick x Brick, in partnership with UNICEF USA. CKI has, to date, raised more than US$72,000 for Brick x Brick, which supports sustainability, education and empowerment for families in the African nation of Côte d’Ivoire.

CKI will again join Kiwanis in Denver in July 2024 for its concurrent convention.

(2023-24 Circle K International President Zak Kahn and 2023-24 Key Club International President Kyle Hanson)

Here’s to more service, more smiles and more fun in 2024!