History

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The San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation was founded in 1953 by, and to support San Diego’s original Kiwanis Club, which formed 33 years earlier in 1920.

Since 2000, the Foundation/Club have distributed over $5 million in grants and scholarships, equating to ~$8 million in today-equivalent dollars.  Currently, the foundation is distributing ~$250,000/year to youth and young-adult focused non-profits as well as scholarships for local San Diego high school students attending San Diego’s major universities. 

In addition, the Foundation serves as the annual Presenting Sponsor of the Laurels for Leaders event, which annually aggregates and honors/rewards the Associated Student Body Presidents from every public, private and charter High School across the entire San Diego County region.

The Club/Foundation’s original visionary contribution was a today-equivalent $1.1MM as a primary funder toward establishment of the San Diego region’s initial Children’s Hospital, now relocated and renamed Rady Children’s Hospital.

Other impactful contributions include grants to the SD YMCA, Boys & Girls Club of SD and funding the Youth Meeting Room at the City of San Diego’s Central Library. In addition, major program funding has been provided for community impact non-profits such as the SD Food Bank, Burn Institute, New Children’s Museum, the SD River Park, Fleet Science Center, Boys to Men, and Just in Time for Foster Youth.

The IRS Form 990 for the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation is available for review by appointment during regular business hours at 3276 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 202, San Diego, California.