History of Kiwanis

The Beginning

The desire for fellowship and service has existed for as long as communities themselves. Kiwanis grew out of that same spirit—uniting people who want to support one another and improve the world around them. The organization’s history is, at its core, the story of how service, camaraderie, and collective purpose were shaped into a global movement. Today, just as in the early 1900s, Kiwanians work together across cultures, backgrounds, and borders to address the challenges facing their communities.

Kiwanis was founded in 1914 by two men who envisioned an organization that offered both fellowship and practical benefits—including early insurance-style features. Originally designed as a fraternal club for young professional businessmen, the organization evolved over time. A major milestone came in 1987, when Kiwanis International officially opened membership to women. Today, more than 50,000 women are proud Kiwanians.

The group’s early name—The Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers—was quickly shortened by members to “BOB,” a nickname no one was excited to keep. With help from Detroit’s official historian, the founders adopted an adaptation of the Native American expression “NunKee-wan-is,” meaning “We trade” or “We share our talents.” In January 1915, the name Kiwanis was formally chosen, capturing the spirit of mutual support that remains central to the organization.

The Motto

In 1920, Kiwanis adopted a simple, two-word motto that helped define its mission: “We Build.” This motto guided the organization’s growth and inspired decades of service. While the motto remains an important part of Kiwanis identity, today the organization also embraces a global slogan that reflects its core purpose:
Serving the Children of the World.

Kiwanis: From the Beginning to Today

Kiwanis is now a worldwide service organization of men and women dedicated to improving communities and enriching lives. Since its founding, it has grown to more than 8,600 clubs in 92 countries. Across the Kiwanis family, approximately 600,000 members work to improve their local communities while contributing to global progress.

Kiwanians donate their time, expertise, and compassion to make their communities better places to live and work. Membership offers opportunities to:

• Build business and professional connections
• Learn about local, national, and international issues
• Develop leadership skills
• Engage in meaningful service
• Form lasting friendships

Kiwanis clubs take on civic and humanitarian projects that address needs public agencies are not always able to meet. Projects often focus on children, literacy, community well-being, senior support, and youth development. Beyond meetings, members participate in hands-on service that directly impacts people in need.

Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow

A defining feature of Kiwanis is its commitment to developing young leaders. Kiwanis sponsors youth programs at every educational level:

• K-Kids – Elementary school
• Builders Club – Middle school
• Key Club – High school
• Circle K International – College

These programs empower young people to serve their communities, develop leadership skills, and build a strong foundation for the future.

Service Programs and Global Impact

Kiwanis has launched numerous initiatives to support children and families. One of its signature efforts is Young Children: Priority One, which focuses on pediatric trauma, safety, early childhood development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting support.

Through its first Worldwide Service Project, Kiwanis partnered with UNICEF to help virtually eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)—a leading cause of preventable mental and physical impairment in children. The Kiwanis International Foundation continues to support global service by funding projects beyond the capacity of individual clubs.

The Value of Being a Kiwanian

Membership in Kiwanis brings meaningful opportunities to serve, lead, and connect. Kiwanians are recognized as community leaders who care deeply about the well-being of others. At a time when service and volunteerism are as vital as ever, Kiwanis remains a strong force for positive change.

The greatest reward of membership is knowing that your time, compassion, and effort are improving lives—both within your community and far beyond it. Through fellowship, service projects, fundraising, and advocacy, Kiwanians experience the profound satisfaction of giving back and helping those in need.