The first Kiwanis club was founded on January 21, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan, marking the start of what would become a major global service organization. Kiwanis International focuses on community service and youth programs. The founding clubs set a template for organizing local chapters tied by a common mission of volunteerism. Over the decades, Kiwanis chapters have supported educational, health, and humanitarian projects worldwide. Its growth demonstrates how civic organizations can scale from local roots to national influence.
