Our history

In 1940, one year after Kiwanians established the Kiwanis International Foundation as a legal entity, Walter Zeller made the first donation: 25 silver dollars that he hoped would turn into the foundation’s nest egg.

This donor’s dream came true: Auctioned for US$625, those coins launched the Kiwanis International Foundation’s worldwide service efforts.

Thousands of donors later, the foundation has grown into a multimillion-dollar organization that awards grants to Kiwanis clubs and underwrites life-altering worldwide service projects.

Today, as powerful forces are reshaping the landscape of children’s issues, we are turning confidently to generous Kiwanians around the world to find the resources required to meet these historic challenges.