Our Impact
Locally, the Kiwanis Club of Tampa supports more than 20 programs and charitable organizations. Our nationally recognized “Be Wise – Immunize” event, in partnership with the Hillsborough County Immunization Task Force, provides free shots and physicals for school children, as well as WIC registrations for families.
During the holidays we play “Santa” and hand out gifts to 150 children during our annual Children’s Christmas Party, and in the spring we recognize our student scholarship winners.
But our service is not just limited to children. We lend a hand by building residential accessibility ramps and other construction projects throughout the year. We also spread cheer to local seniors by sponsoring events throughout the year.
Over the last few years, our Tampa Kiwanis Foundation has provided financial support averaging $120,000 per year to charities throughout Tampa Bay. Since its inception in the early 1960’s, the Foundation has contributed more than $2 million to the Tampa / Hillsborough community. This does not include the “in-kind” value of the time of our club member and youth volunteers.
For more about our Foundation and grant opportunities, click here.
View the grant requirements here.
If you are interested in applying for a Tampa Kiwanis Foundation grant please complete the grant application here.
Be Wise Immunize
We believe in helping children stay healthy and making sure they are protected. That’s why our club works with the Hillsborough County Immunization Task Force on the “Be Wise—Immunize” program to issue free immunizations and health physicals to eligible school-aged children. This program does not include sport physicals, Head Start or Child Care.
Services are provided regardless of income level, although the majority of participants come from low-income families. These events also include a mini health fair to help make families aware of the health resources available for low-income residents.
“Be Wise—Immunize” events are busy and rewarding. Our foundation supports two “Be Wise—Immunize” events each year and our club members volunteer to help register and direct families.
Scholarship awards
One of our most rewarding projects is providing college and technical school scholarships to
Hillsborough County students. These scholarships are funded by our Tampa Kiwanis Foundation
and administered in partnership with the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF). Each year,
our club reviews numerous applications, selecting winners based on need, outstanding
character, high grades, work ethic, and acceptance to a college or university.
In the late spring, the Kiwanis Club of Tampa hosts its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon to
recognize the scholarship winners. During the luncheon, our members meet the scholarship
recipients, their families, and guests.
We are planning to award the following scholarships in May 2024:
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Criteria | Number to Be Awarded in 2024 | Amount per Scholarship |
| Arthur H. Henderson Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship |
For high school senior who plans to obtain a 4-year college or university degree. |
5 | $2,500 |
| Kiwanis Club of Tampa Technical Scholarship | For high school senior who plans to pursue a technical / trade program certificate/degree in an industrial-related field, such as construction, plumbing, welding, auto/diesel repair, etc. | 4 | $2,500 |
| Pete Gilmore Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship |
For a high school senior who plans to obtain a 4-yr degree majoring in Accounting or Finance related. |
2 | $3,000 |
| Jackie Rogoff Memorial Kiwanis Scholarship |
For a female high school senior or young mother who plans to pursue a technical/trade program certificate or degree. | 1 | $2,500 |
Interested students apply for scholarships through HEF, which handles the determination of eligibility and disbursement of funds. For more information about the Kiwanis Scholarships, as well as HEF contacts and other financial assistance, the HEF website is: www.educationfoundation.com/SeniorScholarships.
Children’s Christmas Party
Schools are asked to select four deserving students to come to the party, and provide information about the children so our members can act as “Santa Claus”. Our members volunteer to sponsor a child and fulfill their gift wish list. Additionally, the Tampa Kiwanis Foundation provides a new outfit, some school supplies, and a goody bag for each child.
At the party the children enjoy lunch with their sponsor, sing Christmas carols, and Santa Claus makes a special appearance! Our members serve as Santa’s helpers, distributing the gifts to the children.
Construction Projects
The Kiwanis Club of Tampa has a construction committee that builds residential accessibility ramps for people in need. Over the years, club members have built more than 250 ramps.
We also have helped on some construction projects for other nonprofit groups, such as playgrounds, fences, picnic facilities and other improvement projects for The Spring, Bright Horizons, Joshua House, Salesian Youth Center and Easter Seals. Our club also helped renovate facilities that help at-risk or abused children removed from their homes as part of the “Rainbow Rooms” project by providing books, toys and furniture.
Our club also annually participates in Paint Your Heart Out Tampa along with members of our Service Leadership Programs.
Community Grants
Our Foundation annually donates approximately $50,000 in grants to local nonprofits who focus on serving children in Hillsborough County. To date, the Kiwanis Club of Tampa has donated $500,000 back into the local community.
For more about our Foundation and grant opportunities, click here.
View the grant requirements here.
If you are interested in applying for a Tampa Kiwanis Foundation grant please complete the grant application here.
To see all of the grants issued by the Tampa Kiwanis Foundation from 2007-2017 in alphabetical order by organization name click here.
Support OF THE Elderly
Our members provide holiday goodies, refreshments, decorations and encouragement to more than 300 senior citizens at seven senior centers in Hillsborough County: Brandon, Lutz, Plant City, Oaks at Riverview, Ruskin, Westshore and Town and Country.