5 community connections for any club 

5 community connections for any club 

Jul 15, 2025 | Club building, Fundraising, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Whether your club is large, small or in between, these ideas can revitalize service and community engagement.

By Destiny Cherry

Finding service projects can seem daunting for a new Kiwanis club — or when members of an established club run out of ideas. One way to revitalize your club’s service is to connect with organizations in the community. These five community connections can help a club of any size find projects to strengthen local engagement and uplift children and families: 

  1. Connect with a local food bank, pantry or soup kitchen. These organizations give your Kiwanis club two major opportunities: donating time and donating resources. Depending on the availability of club members, a service project can involve donating your time: sorting and storing donations, preparing and serving food to those in need or helping to ration and distribute food. It can also involve donating resources: organizing a can drive within your club and the community and donating proceeds. However your club decides to get involved, this is typically an easy, accessible way to make a large, lasting impact. 
  2. Build connections with a local recreational facility. A nearby recreational facility or community center — such as a YMCA location — might offer a variety of opportunities to get involved. This could include members of your club coaching or serving as an assistant with young sports teams, assisting in childcare centers, lifeguarding at a pool or helping to set up, tear down or supervise the facility’s sponsored events. Each service project is both an opportunity to empower kids through movement and a fun way for members of your club to get involved. 
  3. Partner with schools in your community. Connecting with a local school can result in a lasting partnership and a lasting impact. Some ways to get involved include reading books to younger children, holding a book drive, chaperoning school-sponsored events, tutoring kids in afterschool programs and mentoring.  
  4. Support a local children’s hospital. Get your club and the community involved with a toy drive, write kind notes to patients during the holidays or do activities with the patients and their siblings. Your club could also host a “dance marathon” for adults — challenging them to stay standing or “dance” for an extended period, during which people are encouraged to participate or donate money. This initiative encourages people to “stand” for children who can’t.  
  5. “Build up” the community at construction sites. With the right research, your club can assist with building homes, community and wellness centers, school extensions or playgrounds — all spaces that nurture the growth, learning and safety of children. Site managers can help ensure that all activities are safe and age-appropriate, with the necessary safety equipment provided on-site. Club members would only need to bring closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing (preferably something they don’t mind getting dirty) and a desire to do some work. Possible tasks include hammering nails, moving smaller debris prebuild, drilling or screwing in nails, painting or minor site cleanup. Tasks can be tailored to each member’s comfort level, and site managers can offer guidance and answer questions along the way.

Connecting through fundraising
Fundraising projects and events can make connecting with your community much easier. Once a connection is made, your new partners can make finding service projects a lot easier. If you’re not sure where to start and want to see what has worked for other clubs, visit the fundraising page on our website. And check out our blog post with other tips for your fundraiser. 

 Don’t forget Kiwanis International’s new partner, Givergy, which provides a platform for fundraising events and projects, with no upfront costs. Learn more!  

Kiwanis district launches scholarship program

Kiwanis district launches scholarship program

May 21, 2025 | Fundraising, General interest, Service Leadership Programs, Service projects | 0 comments

The initiative in Jamaica will cover select SLP members’ tuition. 

By Karen Tomlinson, member of the New Kingston Kiwanis Club, Jamaica 

The Kiwanis Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District (EC&C) and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) in Kingston, Jamaica, are partnering on a historic J$9 million-plus initiative that will enable 10 outstanding students to receive a scholarship every academic year. All recipients will be current or former members of Service Leadership Program (SLP) clubs in the district, and each scholarship will cover the tuition for a two-year undergraduate associate degree program at UCC. 

The scholarships were announced at UCC in February during a district visit by 2024-25 Kiwanis International President Lee Kuan Yong. UCC Group Executive Chairman and Founder Winston Adams, UCC President Colin Gyles, and EC&C District Governor Pam Rodney-White also attended.  

The leaders emphasized that the event was more than just a scholarship launch. It also was a celebration of potential, achievement and the collective support of the academic community. 

“This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to education and service,” says Gyles. “We are honored to collaborate with Kiwanis International and the EC&C District in fostering the growth and development of our youth, who are the catalysts for positive change in our societies.” 

How it works
To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be current or former SLP members who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and a commitment to community service. The scholarship is open to new students admitted to UCC’s undergraduate degree programs, including business administration, information technology, education, law, and health sciences. 

“Kiwanis has always been dedicated to serving the children of the world, and this scholarship is an extension of that commitment,” Rodney-White says. “We are thrilled to see these bright students receive the support they need to pursue higher education and become leaders in their communities.” 

The scholarship initiative is part of UCC’s ongoing efforts to make quality education accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints. By investing in young leaders, UCC and Kiwanis hope to create a ripple effect of positive impact across the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District — and beyond.  

“We’re looking forward to welcoming these outstanding students to the UCC community,” Gyles says. “Their passion, dedication and service to others align perfectly with our institutional values.” 

How has your club or district supported Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs? Let us know at shareyourstory@kiwanis.org. 

Karen Tomlinson is the public relations and marketing coordinator for Kiwanis International’s Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District. 

District donates for mental health

District donates for mental health

May 5, 2025 | Fundraising, General interest | 0 comments

A four-year fundraising campaign results in an annual major gift.

By Tony Knoderer 

In Indiana, U.S., the Riley Children’s Foundation received a US$500,000 gift from the Kiwanis Indiana District during the district’s midyear conference. In fact, it’s just one donation in its four-year Kiwanis-Riley Campaign — part of an overall commitment to raise $1 million through September 2027.  

The campaign’s purpose is to fight suicide, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among youth in Indiana by funding accessible mental health services for kids and teens. 

“The second biggest cause of death of Indiana youth is suicide. This is unacceptable,” says Al Riggle, 2024-25 district governor.  

For Riley Children’s Foundation, one solution is to embed mental health services in pediatric and primary care offices throughout the state, putting those services close to home for up to 80,000 kids. 

The million-dollar goal
When the Indiana District raised $250,000, the gift instantly unlocked a match from the Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) — resulting in the half-million total. The ultimate goal is for the campaign’s $1 million to be matched with another million from FSSA. 

This year’s fundraising success led directly to progress toward next year’s. 

“We asked those present if they had anything to donate toward our next $250,000 check,” Steve Ingram, a past governor and a Kiwanis International trustee, wrote on his Facebook page afterward. “Immediately people came forward with checks totaling $102,295.” 

This kind of generosity is keeping the campaign ahead of its goal in just its second year, Riggle says. 

“We do a parade of checks at the midyear conference to allow clubs to donate money they’ve raised during that portion of the year to support the campaign,” he says. “The remainder will come in at the district convention. The district governor after me will do the same thing next year for the third year of the campaign.” 

A history of support
The current campaign is just the latest four-year fundraising initiative through which the Indiana District has raised funds for causes supported by Riley Children’s Foundation.  

“In the third year of each campaign, the Riley Children’s Foundation comes up with potential themes for the next campaign,” Riggle says. “These are presented to the (district’s) KIDS Committee and a recommendation is submitted to the district board. Once approved, all the planning takes place to kick off the campaign the next year at the conclusion of the current campaign.”   

Past campaigns have addressed autism and early developmental delay, the infant mortality rate and the creation of a staffed play-therapy room at Riley Children’s Hospital. In total, the Indiana District has provided over $9 million in support for various Riley programs and initiatives.