Microgrants boost health, learning and leadership

Microgrants boost health, learning and leadership

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 

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. 
How to publicize your club in local media

How to publicize your club in local media

Kiwanis member Brooke Davis has five tips for getting your projects in the news.

By Erin Chandler 

Your Kiwanis club is doing good throughout your community — but to have the greatest impact, you need to let your community know! Local print, TV and online media can increase attendance at your events, attract potential new club members and inspire other Kiwanis clubs looking for project ideas. 

Want to raise your own media exposure? Brooke Davis has some insights for you. Based on her experience with the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos, New Mexico, U.S. — which consistently receives local publicity, appearing frequently in two online area newspapers — the suggestions below can help put your club in the community spotlight. 

  1. Know your news outlets. Read, watch and listen to local news so you can get to know each outlet’s style and how it presents information. Davis partially attributes her club’s publicity success to its place in a close-knit community with two online newspapers, one of which publishes a weekly print edition. For each event, she must consider which outlet and medium will help her reach the largest possible audience — or just the right audience. 
  1. Develop your messaging. Whether you are writing your own news release email for local publications or preparing to be interviewed, develop about three key, concise messages to convey, including the most important information about your event and the Kiwanis organization’s service focus. Find templates to help you write your key messages at “PR Tips and Tools” on the Kiwanis Branding and Marketing page
  1. Establish a relationship with local journalists. Davis advises clubs in smaller communities to contact the editors of their community publications directly. “In a small town, editors are usually eager to share stories about community members and organizations and their activities,” she says. If you live in a larger community, contact a reporter who covers stories involving children, philanthropy, education or service. Look for information on individual reporters and their contact details on the news outlet’s website or the reporter’s social media. 
  1. Offer to provide photos. “I realized early on that the editors really want photos of our speakers and activities and events,” Davis says. “I try to take enough photos so I can send different ones to each paper.” Photos of your club in action are best! 
  1. Remember to say, “thank you.” As part of building rapport with editors and journalists, Davis makes a point of thanking them for any coverage the club receives. A little courtesy goes a long way — especially for maintaining relationships as you look toward publicizing your next event or project. 

Looking for more tips, tools and resources? Check out the Kiwanis Branding and Marketing page.