THE KIWANIS FAMILY
Kiwanians around the globe have one common goal: To serve the children of the world. Kiwanis advocates this vision every day by providing opportunities to serve for every member of a community through Service Leadership Programs. Through these opportunities, over 445,000 people around the world engage in service and become competent, capable, and compassionate leaders.
Circle K International (CKI) is a global student-run service organization that helps college students build leadership skills through service. Members focus on issues like childhood development, mental health, and environmental justice, while partnering with groups like UNICEF USA.
Builders Club is the largest middle school service organization, with over 23,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1975, it has more than 1,100 clubs in 21 countries. Members learn leadership skills by serving their schools and communities, often partnering with groups like UNICEF and March of Dimes. Sponsored by local Kiwanis clubs, Builders Clubs can be school-based or community-based at places like churches or YMCAs. The organization is student-led and supported by Kiwanis International, which provides resources and guidelines.
K-Kids is a global service leadership program for primary and elementary students, with over 22,000 members in 1,100 clubs worldwide. Founded in 2000, K-Kids is student-led and found in schools, libraries, and community organizations, often sponsored by a local Kiwanis club. Kiwanis International provides resources, training, and support to help clubs succeed while ensuring they follow youth protection policies.
Terrific Kids is a character-building program for primary and elementary students that encourages personal growth. Students set their own goals to define what it means to be "terrific" and use peer mentoring to stay accountable. When they achieve their goals, they are recognized as a Terrific Kid.
Bring Up Grades (BUG) is a program that motivates primary and elementary students to improve or maintain good grades. Students set their own academic goals and engage in peer mentoring for support. When they achieve their goals, the whole class celebrates their success.
Aktion Club is the only global service club for adults with disabilities, with over 12,000 members. Clubs are based in organizations that support individuals with disabilities or in community locations like churches and YMCAs. Sponsored by local Kiwanis clubs, Aktion Club is supported by Kiwanis International, which provides resources and connects members worldwide.
Kiwanis Junior clubs are recognized in Europe and help to share the Kiwanis service experience with younger adults, ages 18-35. Kiwanis Junior became an official program in 1992, and the first European club was founded in Vienna in 1963. Today, there are over 25,000 members across 1,200 clubs in Europe.
Pennsylvania Kiwanis has over 12,650 adult and youth members. They support academic achievement and character development programs for students aged 6-12 and host a Key Leader weekend retreat for teens aged 14-18, with 39 participants in 2022. By January 2023, more than 342,338 Early Learning Guides were distributed to families across the state. In 2020, members sold 349 dozen roses.
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund is the fundraising arm of Kiwanis International, turning donations into grants that support Kiwanis projects worldwide. It amplifies members' impact by partnering with organizations and helping Kiwanis clubs of all sizes secure funding for projects that benefit children.