Kiwanis Sponsored Organizations

As Kiwanis membership has grown and enthusiasm for its service-based format has spread, Kiwanis has created additional volunteer opportunities for people at every stage of life through its sponsored programs.

Circle K International

Circle K is a service club for collegians and has nearly 13,000 members on more than 500 university and college campuses in 13 nations. Circle K was started in Pullman, Washington, and was formally organized as a service organization in 1947. Its members are committed to leadership, service, and fellowship.

Key Club International

The oldest Kiwanis sponsored-youth program is Key Club. Seventeen boys in Sacramento, California, made up the first Key Club in 1925, and today the organization is active in 20 nations and includes 4,711 clubs and 234,528 members. More than 2 million youth have enlisted in Key Club since its inception, including many who are now top government and business leaders.

Builders Club

When middle school and junior high students began to show an interest in organizing to serve their schools and communities, the Builders Club program was launched in 1975. With support from Kiwanis clubs, Key Clubs, and Circle K clubs, the Builders Club network has grown to include more than 1,500 clubs and 44,000 members in 13 nations.

K-Kids

This organization for elementary school-age students began in 1990 when the first club was formed in North Lauderdale, Florida, and formally adopted as a sponsored program by Kiwanis in 1998. Today 16,164 K-Kids in 500 clubs and 11 nations are actively creating opportunities for community service, leadership development, and citizenship education. Within K-Kids are the Terrific Kids Program and the Bringing Up Grades (BUG) Program

Aktion Clubs

In October 2000, Kiwanis extended service opportunities to adult citizens living with developmental disabilities through the formation of Aktion Clubs. These clubs provide members with opportunities to develop initiative and leadership, to serve their communities, to be integrated into society, and to demonstrate the dignity and value of citizens living with developmental disabilities. To date, there are more than 2,000 members in 89 clubs.

Key Leader

Kiwanis International announces Key Leader—a new leadership experience for today's youth leaders. It will focus on service leadership as the first, most meaningful leadership development experience. A Key Leader will learn the most important lesson of leadership—leadership comes from helping others succeed.