One of the lesser-understood aspects of Kiwanis International to its members is the charitable activities taken by the Kiwanis International Foundation. Sure we all know about the Eliminate Project, which has raised nearly $110 million, but the foundation has much more to it, and recent improvements have transformed it into a world-class organization.
For example, Charity Navigator, an independent American nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities in the United States, gave our foundation a 0 rating in 2011. It now has reached a maximum possible score of 4. This rating increase occurred because KIF has worked diligently on reporting transparency and continually reducing its percentage of overhead associated with supporting its giving programs.
More recent great news was that The Lilly Endowment (as in the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company) provided a grant for $1.5 Million to the foundation. It has been more than three decades since this endowment (which is based in Indianapolis) had provided any resources to Kiwanis. These funds will allow KIF to maintain a version of the staffing and infrastructure built for The Eliminate Project, which is now being repurposed since that program has ended. The formal fundraising campaign for The Eliminate Project concluded December 31, 2015. Over time, this new grant will dramatically increase the KIF's fundraising capacity.
KIF current assets are approximately $15 million, and now efforts shift from Eliminate to multi-program charitable giving. In 2014, KIF was able to provide $650,000 in grants, including the fulfillment of a $300,000 grant to Kiwanis International to support the Centennial Park projects.
I recommend you check out our foundation and take the time to learn more about it. Understand how the foundation is taking care of our children. Learn about the Kiwanis Children's Fund, which has programs and initiatives that support and benefit thousands of children each year. Learn about the Youth Opportunities Fund, which supports Key Club International. Once our children become adults, KIF continues its support with the Tomorrow Fund helping Circle K International's college and university students serve their communities and develop leadership skills for life after graduation.
KIF also needs your support. So, see if you can find it in your heart to make a donation or have your club find ways to raise funds for the foundation. The foundation has ways to show its appreciation and provide recognition to Kiwanians who support it: The Today Club, recognizing per member giving levels and the President's Challenge for district leadership when they raise district-giving levels.
You can learn more about the foundation at www.kiwanis.org/foundation. Thank you for your support.
Column Posted on Web Site January 17, 2016
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated