Five fundraiser fundamentals 

Five fundraiser fundamentals 

Aug 8, 2025 | Fundraising, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Here are tips for launching or refreshing your club’s event.

By Tony Knoderer

Service is the heart of Kiwanis. But service projects require money.  

That’s why fundraising events are crucial to Kiwanis clubs. Whether your club is launching a fundraiser or updating an established one, we offer five fundamentals for making it work: 

  1. Make it sustainable. As a club, answer these questions: Do we have the time and ability to make this event successful over time? Does the event have growth potential? Are we making the best use of our resources and relationships?  
  2. Promote your cause and your club. Your event may be the public’s first opportunity to learn about your cause. Same for your club and even Kiwanis. Make sure every attendee understands what they’re supporting — and that your club is helping them support it.  
  3. Highlight local culture. Is there an industry or a “scene” that’s important in your town? Is there a sport or a team that unifies the community? Whatever is special in your area, make it a part of your event — and include the people, businesses and organizations that make it special. The Lititz Chocolate Walk is a great example on our blog.  
  4. Have fun! Ultimately, Kiwanis is about kids — so make your event playful and light, even if all the attendees are adults. Keep in mind that if club members themselves don’t embrace the event, it might not be the right one. 
  5. Follow up. People who attend your fundraiser may be interested in becoming members or partnering with your club. Don’t wait for them to get in touch. Reach out! 

Looking for more ideas? Check out this step-by-step guide to creating a silent auction. And if your club needs to re-evaluate a current fundraiser altogether, see how some of our ACE tools can help. 

Peck Fox receives 2025 Circle of Service Award 

Peck Fox receives 2025 Circle of Service Award 

Aug 7, 2025 | General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

The honor recognizes the Kiwanian’s contributions to Circle K International.

By Destiny Cherry

Peck Fox has been awarded the 2025 Circle of Service Award by Circle K International (CKI), the Kiwanis Service Leadership Program for university students. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. — and the Alabama District administrator for CKI — Fox was honored in June during the 2025 CKI Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (See above, with 2024-25 CKI President Taylor DiCicco.) 

The Circle of Service award annually honors one or more individuals within Kiwanis International who have made the most outstanding contribution to CKI. 

Fox’s affiliation with the Kiwanis family began in 1975, when he joined the University of Alabama’s CKI club. He was a member of the board that created the Alabama CKI Luminaries project — the club’s annual signature project, during which members raise money by lighting lanterns and selling items on the university quad. Fox went on to serve as a CKI international trustee, further strengthening his love for service and the community. 

A distinguished record
Fox met his wife during his time in CKI, and soon after his time at the University of Alabama, he took a job as the Alabama District’s administrator. He has won the honor of distinguished administrator for the past four years.  

Fox’s connection to the Kiwanis family also includes his own family: His daughter is a past governor of CKI’s Alabama District, and his son-in-law is a past CKI president. 

Fox has been described as a mentor, leader, confidant and a supporter. He has also been described as loyal, compassionate, impactful and selfless. These traits have made a lasting impact on the youth he has served and the communities he has touched.

“Peck Fox is such an outstanding Kiwanian,” says Dillian Alcorn, current lieutenant governor of the Alabama District. “He has made an impact on so many people’s lives that if we could get a testament from each and every person he has impacted, we would have to turn in an entire book.” 

 

Microgrants jumpstart kids’ futures

Microgrants jumpstart kids’ futures

Aug 5, 2025 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Service projects | 0 comments

From April through June, smaller clubs made a big impact through the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.

By Erin Chandler

In April, May and June, Kiwanis clubs around the world received Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrants for small projects that make a big impact on kids and families. The following three projects highlight some of the ways Kiwanis clubs are using microgrants to give young people of all ages a promising start in the Kiwanis cause areas of education and literacy, health and nutrition, and youth leadership development.   

Youth leadership development
Anchor House New Jersey Furniture Need
Kiwanis Club of Greater Monroe, New Jersey, U.S.
In 2024, Anchor House reached out to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Monroe for help upgrading the furnishings in its shelters, which provide safe housing and supportive services for children and young adults who are or are at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect or homelessness. A comfortable, welcoming environment bolsters residents’ sense of self-worth and ability to reach their potential. A Children’s Fund microgrant will help the club replace pieces that are damaged or worn with new chairs and couches for the therapy room, recreation room and library.  

Education and literacy
Full STEAM Ahead!
Kiwanis Club of Clintwood, Virginia, U.S.
The Kiwanis Club of Clintwood and the Ridgeview High School Key Club will work together to get local kids ages 5-16 interested in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) with a monthly hands-on program. A Children’s Fund microgrant will help fund subscriptions to three age-appropriate KiwiCo kits, which contain projects that help kids build, learn and have fun at the same time. Club volunteers will take the kits to community after-school and summer programs that are struggling to fund enrichment activities for kids. They will also guide the children through each month’s activity, sparking the creativity and inventiveness of tomorrow’s scientists, artists and engineers. 

Health and nutrition
Kiwanis Stuff the Strand 2025
Kiwanis Club of Plattsburgh, New York, U.S.
The Kiwanis Club of Plattsburgh brings a touch of drama to its annual food drive. The goal of this 2025 Signature Project Contest Top 10 event is to fill each of the 901 seats in the local Strand Theatre (see photo) with an increased weight of food each year. In 2024, the goal was to collect 7 pounds of food per seat, and members collected 20 pounds! Corporate and seat sponsorships increase the amount of food the club can contribute. This year, a Children’s Fund microgrant will help purchase baby food and baby formula, which are expensive and rarely in stock at local food pantries. Baby items also will be worth more points in the contest to see who can contribute the most donations. 

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

If you want to help the Children’s Fund provide grants like these that reach children around the world, you can make a gift to The Possibility Project. Your club also can apply for a grant to help kids in your community today.