Kiwanis helps kids around the world.  Our local club members help our communities, are generous with our time, and are creative with our ideas. We are passionate about making a difference and we have fun along the way. For over a century, Kiwanis has created opportunities for children to be curious, safe and healthy. When you give a child the chance to learn, great things can happen. Kids Need Kiwanis.

Our Vision and Mission are to be a positive influence in our community and our kids – to break the cycle of poverty and foster learning – so children can learn, dream, grow, succeed, and become productive citizens. 

The Kennewick Kiwanis Foundation was formed by members of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick in the late 1990’s, inspired by the leadership of Red Rutherford and Dick Petersen. They enlisted the support of formation Directors Craig Liebler, Bob Marple Jr., Rene Norman, Bob Kelly, and Monte Nail.

The Foundation was initially organized “exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to advance education and the promotion of social welfare to combat juvenile delinquency.” Its Mission was later broadened to include we “assist and support the youth of the greater Kennewick area through scholarships and other services.” All donations made to the Kennewick Kiwanis Foundation are tax deductible.

The Foundation has awarded over 300 scholarships to high school graduates in our community during our nearly 30-year history, with 20 scholarships available to award this year. Scholarships are renewable for multiple academic years, based on student application. The funds for the scholarships come from one-time gifts by donors, plus through substantial endowment donations from generous donors and invested and overseen by the Foundation. Over the last few years, the Board approved increasing the value of the annual scholarships to $2,500 each year.  

Although awarding scholarships is our core activity, in recent years, the Foundation worked with the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick to raise funds to build a playground at the Boys and Girls Club, conducted a raffle to raise funds for the completion of the B5 Family Learning Center, and granted funds to the Prepares Program to remodel a kitchen to serve children and mothers.  

This year, the Foundation is working to raise $100,000 for scholarships to award to local students in 2027 to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick's service in our community.

The Endowed Scholarships that are awarded to students honor:

• Victor “Red” Rutherford – a past Kennewick Man of the Year, past Tri-Citian of the Year, Kiwanis Hixson Award winner, and a 40+ year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.
• Donald Anderson – a past Kennewick Man of the Year, Kiwanis Hixson Award winner, and a 40+ year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.
• George J. Jones – a past Kennewick Man of the Year, past Tri-Citian of the Year, Kiwanis Hixson Award winner, and a 65+ year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.
• Henry Sauer – father of Kiwanis Club of Kennewick member Hank Sauer. Hank was the longtime President of the Foundation and we greatly appreciated his service.
• Walteen Corson – a long time member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick. Her scholarship is targeted for students pursuing a career in agriculture.
• Art Carson – a Kiwanis Hixson Award winner, and a 50+ year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.
• Bob Woehler – a past Kennewick Man of the Year, a past Lt. Governor of Kiwanis, Kiwanis Hixson Award winner, a 40+ year member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick. This scholarship was established by the Club and is designated for a student that attended Amistad Elementary.
• Wayne & Maureen Bell – currently are Kiwanis Club of Kennewick President and Secretary and on the Foundation Board, both awarded the Kiwanis Hixson Award, and Maureen is past Kennewick Woman of the Year. 
• Joan Rude – established in her memory by Pete Rude, member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick. This scholarship is targeted for students pursuing a career in healthcare.
• Rick Corson – a past Kennewick Man of The Year and Kiwanis Hixson Award winner. Rick is a long term member of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick. This scholarship is targeted for students pursuing a career in criminal justice.
• Edith Winkler – the mother of Janet Reiboldt and mother-in-law of longtime Kiwanis Club of Kennewick member Glen Reiboldt. Ms. Winkler is recognized as a dedicated educator in the Tri-Cities.  
• Timothy McKinnon - established in their son's memory by Rick and Micki McKinnon, members of the Kiwanis Club of Kennewick.
• Other community leaders have been honored by the Foundation with one-time scholarships in memory of Glynn Wheeler, Doug Holle, Duane Pepiot, Jim French, Joseph Osborne, Leland Haberling, and Dean Strawn.

Reach out to KennewickKiwanisFoundation@gmail.com to learn more.