Established in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation strengthens the work of Kiwanis throughout the state by supporting local clubs, Service Leadership Programs, and initiatives that benefit at-risk children. Through grantmaking, program partnerships, and fundraising support, we amplify the efforts of clubs across Alabama—fostering stronger communities and brighter futures for children, one project at a time.
Making a Difference Through Your Support
The Foundation is a key resource for clubs, providing financial support and programming to maximize service impact across Alabama. Our Annual Gift Campaign is the heartbeat of our fundraising efforts. Each club is encouraged to give $10 per member (based on Kiwanis International’s October 1 membership roster) to earn a banner patch and annual tab recognizing its commitment to collective service.
Whether large or small, every gift strengthens the reach and sustainability of our work. Your contribution is a direct investment in the lives of Alabama’s children and the communities we serve.
Programs That Serve Alabama’s Children and Clubs
🔹 Alabama Spelling Bee
As the official sponsor of the Alabama affiliate of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Foundation helps students shine on a statewide stage. Clubs are encouraged to support participation by helping local schools enroll and prepare their students for this enriching academic experience.
🔹 Matching Grant Program
Designed to empower local projects, this program offers up to $2,000 in matching funds for club-led initiatives that serve children in Alabama. From literacy and health programs to community engagement and youth development, clubs can double their dollars by applying during one of two enrollment periods each year. Applications are accepted in January for awarding at the Mid-Winter Conference in February, and again in July for awarding at the District Convention in August. In 2024, these grants helped smaller clubs deliver outsized impact in their communities, proving that even modest resources—when matched—can produce meaningful change.
🔹 J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship Award
Named in honor of J. Mercer Barnett, a prominent Birmingham businessman who played a key role in establishing Kiwanis International as a service organization. He served as the first Governor of the Alabama-Florida District (1918-19) and the first Alabama Kiwanian to serve as Kiwanis International President (1920-21). This prestigious fellowship recognizes individuals who make a donation of $500 or more to the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, either personally or in honor of another individual. An additional donation of $500 or more upgrades the fellowship to the Diamond level
🔹 Kiwanis Impact Awards
The Kiwanis Impact Awards recognize members, celebrated by their clubs for outstanding service and community impact. Through a tiered program, clubs honor members with pins, certificates, and acrylic awards based on their donation levels of $100, $200, or $300. These awards highlight dedication and leadership, fostering pride and connection within the Kiwanis community, while inspiring lasting service.
🔹 Joe Dean Legacy Fund
The Joe Dean Legacy Fund honors the life and leadership of Past Alabama District Governor Joe Dean and his enduring commitment to service. This fund recognizes individuals who make a charitable contribution of $5,000 or more to the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. through an outright gift, bequest, estate plan, or pledge to be completed within five years. These planned or direct gifts are unrestricted and will be used by the Foundation to further its mission—benefiting the children of Alabama for generations to come.
🔹 Pass-Through Donations
Your club can use the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) status to process tax-deductible donations for community projects, giving your fundraising efforts credibility and flexibility while providing confidence to donors.
How to Get Involved
🔹Partner with the Foundation to process pass-through donations or plan legacy gifts.
🔹Contribute to the Annual Gift Campaign to earn your club’s banner patch and annual tab.
🔹Apply for a Matching Grant to expand your club’s service capacity.
🔹Celebrate your members through the Kiwanis Impact Awards.
🔹Recognize outstanding leadership with the J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship Award.
🔹Support literacy through the Joe Dean Literacy Legacy Fund.
🔹Share your club’s successes in the Kiwanis Kourier by contacting Newsletter Editor Patrice Stewart.
Click Here for a listing of all awards given throughout the years.
Alabama Spelling Bee
The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation is proud to be the official sponsor of the Alabama Spelling Bee, the Alabama affiliate of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Please visit those links for more information on how your school and students can find out more and enroll to participate. Huntsville Kiwanis member Susan McDougal serves as the Executive Director for the Alabama Spelling Bee and would love to share with you about this amazing opportunity for Alabama students to shine. Call 256-203-4116 for more info.
Club Matching Grants
The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation’s Matching Grant Program was established to increase the impact that clubs have on their local communities by matching funds raised for worthwhile projects. Click Here for more information.
Pass-Through Donations
The Foundation defines a ‘Pass-Through Donation’ as a donation to a Kiwanis Club in the Alabama District which passes through the Foundation for suitable purposes. Click Here for more information.
Sources of Funding
Individual Donations
Individual Kiwanians are encouraged to include a donation to the Foundation as a part of their charitable giving each year. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Click Here for an individual donation form.
Annual Club Gift Campaign
The Annual Gift Campaign is the largest source of funding for the Foundation each year. Annually, each club in the Alabama District is encouraged to include a gift to the Foundation in their service budget. All club gifts in any amount are welcomed and very beneficial. Beginning in the administrative year 2018-19, those clubs gifting an amount equal to $10 per member, recorded with Kiwanis International as of 1 October of the administrative year in which the gift is received, shall be recognized with a distinctive banner patch and an annual tab each administrative year thereafter when the gifted amount continues at the level of $10 per member or higher. Each check should indicate that it is an Annual Club Gift in the memo section for proper disposition.
J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship
Harvey Watson Future Fund
The Harvey Watson Future Fund is named for long-time Kiwanian and Past Alabama District Governor Harvey Watson who worked vigorously in support of Joe Dean as they established the Jean Dean RIF program. Harvey served as the RIF Advisory Board Chair until declining health resulted in his relinquishing the post. The Harvey Watson Future Fund recognizes contributions to the Foundation of $1,000 or more.
Joe Dean Legacy
The Joe Dean Legacy, named for Past Governor of the Alabama District, Joe Dean who founded Jean Dean RIF, recognizes individuals who have named the Foundation in their estate plans. Membership is offered to individuals who have signified their intent to provide a planned gift of $5,000 or more or who make an outright gift of $5,000 or more. For more information Click Here.
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ALABAMA KIWIANIS FOUNDATION
NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 4151 Huntsville, Alabama 35815-4151
President: Past District Governor Colean Black 205.936.7411 | [email protected]
Empowering Clubs to Transform Lives
Established in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation strengthens the work of Kiwanis throughout the state by supporting local clubs, Service Leadership Programs, and initiatives that benefit at-risk children. Through grantmaking, program partnerships, and fundraising support, we amplify the efforts of clubs across Alabama—fostering stronger communities and brighter futures for children, one project at a time.
Making a Difference Through Your Support
The Foundation is a key resource for clubs, providing financial support and programming to maximize service impact across Alabama. Our Annual Gift Campaign is the heartbeat of our fundraising efforts. Each club is encouraged to give $10 per member (based on Kiwanis International’s October 1 membership roster) to earn a banner patch and annual tab recognizing its commitment to collective service.
Whether large or small, every gift strengthens the reach and sustainability of our work. Your contribution is a direct investment in the lives of Alabama’s children and the communities we serve.
Programs That Serve Alabama’s Children and Clubs
🔹 Alabama Spelling Bee
As the official sponsor of the Alabama affiliate of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Foundation helps students shine on a statewide stage. Clubs are encouraged to support participation by helping local schools enroll and prepare their students for this enriching academic experience.
🔹 Matching Grant Program
Designed to empower local projects, this program offers up to $2,000 in matching funds for club-led initiatives that serve children in Alabama. From literacy and health programs to community engagement and youth development, clubs can double their dollars by applying during one of two enrollment periods each year. Applications are accepted in January for awarding at the Mid-Winter Conference in February, and again in July for awarding at the District Convention in August. In 2024, these grants helped smaller clubs deliver outsized impact in their communities, proving that even modest resources—when matched—can produce meaningful change.
🔹 J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship Award
Named in honor of J. Mercer Barnett, a prominent Birmingham businessman who played a key role in establishing Kiwanis International as a service organization. He served as the first Governor of the Alabama-Florida District (1918-19) and the first Alabama Kiwanian to serve as Kiwanis International President (1920-21). This prestigious fellowship recognizes individuals who make a donation of $500 or more to the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, either personally or in honor of another individual. An additional donation of $500 or more upgrades the fellowship to the Diamond level
🔹 Kiwanis Impact Awards
The Kiwanis Impact Awards recognize members, celebrated by their clubs for outstanding service and community impact. Through a tiered program, clubs honor members with pins, certificates, and acrylic awards based on their donation levels of $100, $200, or $300. These awards highlight dedication and leadership, fostering pride and connection within the Kiwanis community, while inspiring lasting service.
🔹 Joe Dean Legacy Fund
The Joe Dean Legacy Fund honors the life and leadership of Past Alabama District Governor Joe Dean and his enduring commitment to service. This fund recognizes individuals who make a charitable contribution of $5,000 or more to the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. through an outright gift, bequest, estate plan, or pledge to be completed within five years. These planned or direct gifts are unrestricted and will be used by the Foundation to further its mission—benefiting the children of Alabama for generations to come.
🔹 Pass-Through Donations
Your club can use the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) status to process tax-deductible donations for community projects, giving your fundraising efforts credibility and flexibility while providing confidence to donors.
How to Get Involved
🔹Partner with the Foundation to process pass-through donations or plan legacy gifts.
🔹Contribute to the Annual Gift Campaign to earn your club’s banner patch and annual tab.
🔹Apply for a Matching Grant to expand your club’s service capacity.
🔹Celebrate your members through the Kiwanis Impact Awards.
🔹Recognize outstanding leadership with the J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship Award.
🔹Support literacy through the Joe Dean Literacy Legacy Fund.
🔹Share your club’s successes in the Kiwanis Kourier by contacting Newsletter Editor Patrice Stewart.
ONETIME DONATION LINK
$10 MONTHLY DONATION LINK
Click Here for a listing of all awards given throughout the years.
Alabama Spelling Bee
The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation is proud to be the official sponsor of the Alabama Spelling Bee, the Alabama affiliate of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Please visit those links for more information on how your school and students can find out more and enroll to participate. Huntsville Kiwanis member Susan McDougal serves as the Executive Director for the Alabama Spelling Bee and would love to share with you about this amazing opportunity for Alabama students to shine. Call 256-203-4116 for more info.
Club Matching Grants
The Alabama Kiwanis Foundation’s Matching Grant Program was established to increase the impact that clubs have on their local communities by matching funds raised for worthwhile projects. Click Here for more information.
Pass-Through Donations
The Foundation defines a ‘Pass-Through Donation’ as a donation to a Kiwanis Club in the Alabama District which passes through the Foundation for suitable purposes. Click Here for more information.
Sources of Funding
Individual Donations
Individual Kiwanians are encouraged to include a donation to the Foundation as a part of their charitable giving each year. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Click Here for an individual donation form.
Annual Club Gift Campaign
The Annual Gift Campaign is the largest source of funding for the Foundation each year. Annually, each club in the Alabama District is encouraged to include a gift to the Foundation in their service budget. All club gifts in any amount are welcomed and very beneficial. Beginning in the administrative year 2018-19, those clubs gifting an amount equal to $10 per member, recorded with Kiwanis International as of 1 October of the administrative year in which the gift is received, shall be recognized with a distinctive banner patch and an annual tab each administrative year thereafter when the gifted amount continues at the level of $10 per member or higher. Each check should indicate that it is an Annual Club Gift in the memo section for proper disposition.
J. Mercer Barnett Fellowship
Harvey Watson Future Fund
The Harvey Watson Future Fund is named for long-time Kiwanian and Past Alabama District Governor Harvey Watson who worked vigorously in support of Joe Dean as they established the Jean Dean RIF program. Harvey served as the RIF Advisory Board Chair until declining health resulted in his relinquishing the post. The Harvey Watson Future Fund recognizes contributions to the Foundation of $1,000 or more.
Joe Dean Legacy
The Joe Dean Legacy, named for Past Governor of the Alabama District, Joe Dean who founded Jean Dean RIF, recognizes individuals who have named the Foundation in their estate plans. Membership is offered to individuals who have signified their intent to provide a planned gift of $5,000 or more or who make an outright gift of $5,000 or more. For more information Click Here.
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