Kiwanis International Foundation historic campaign surpasses $750,000 goal

Kiwanis International Foundation today announced that more than $750,000 was secured in a historic, seven-month fundraising campaign formulated by its parent organization, Kiwanis International.

The New Beginning Campaign, a lively collaboration in which Kiwanis International matched, dollar for dollar, all unrestricted gifts to the foundation, saw participation by 547 clubs and nearly 4,000 Kiwanians from all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 14 nations. The $1.5 million in funds will bolster the foundation's grants and programs that help underwrite Kiwanis club and district projects worldwide.

"The generosity of Kiwanians and Kiwanis clubs never ceases to amaze me," remarks Paul Palazzolo, International President. "There was such superb collaboration at all levels for the New Beginning Campaign. More than ever, Kiwanis International and its foundation are partnering to fulfill the Kiwanis mission of representing the least and last of society."

A task force of Kiwanis International and foundation trustees, led by Ellen H. Arnold, CFRE, a foundation board member and Kiwanian from Hanover, PA, provided the campaign's leadership.

"The spirit of philanthropy exemplified by New Beginning Campaign donors is heartwarming," states Ellen H. Arnold, CFRE, campaign chair and Kiwanis International Foundation trustee. "From contributions for Hixson Fellowships from Japan, Malaysia, the United States and other countries; to hundreds of dollars in Skip-A-Meal gifts from Kiwanis clubs all over the world; to thousands of checks ranging from $10 to $5,000, Kiwanians opened their hearts to help the foundation dramatically increase its unrestricted funds. The foundation also recognizes the extraordinary support of two major donors: Mel Cowart, who provided $50,000 and Warren Bolton, who contributed $30,000. Financial commitments such as these helped us to attain the $750,000 goal."

"The importance of achieving this campaign goal in such a short period of time is that it enables Kiwanis to now prepare for the larger, more significant campaign associated with our soon-to-be-announced worldwide service project," says Stan Soderstrom, Kiwanis International executive director.

The campaign comes at a juncture when Kiwanis and the foundation begin to prepare for the organization's next Worldwide Service Project, which will be revealed on Thursday, June 24, at the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas. The Kiwanis International Board narrowed the candidates to three initiatives: Malaria: Malaria No More; Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus: UNICEF; and Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Each of the initiatives will involve multimillion-dollar fundraising initiatives.