Signature Project Contest
JANUARY 2-25, 2024
Click the button below to submit your project details directly to Kiwanis International.
Each club's entry will be sent to their District for judging and selection for their
Group I and/or Group II projects that will be entered into the 2023 Signature Project Contest.
Clubs with 27 members or fewer will be judged in the Group I category. Clubs with 28 members or more will be judged in Group II category. Each group will be judged separately and the top 10 finalists will be determined for each group. The top three selections from each group will be recognized as the gold, silver, and bronze winners at the Kiwanis International Convention.
Each club's entry will be sent to their District for judging and selection for their
Group I and/or Group II projects that will be entered into the 2023 Signature Project Contest.
Clubs with 27 members or fewer will be judged in the Group I category. Clubs with 28 members or more will be judged in Group II category. Each group will be judged separately and the top 10 finalists will be determined for each group. The top three selections from each group will be recognized as the gold, silver, and bronze winners at the Kiwanis International Convention.
What is a Signature Project?
Think about what your Kiwanis club is known for in your community. It can be a service project, event or fundraiser. A signature project is one that includes all of the following criteria:
- Recurring: At a minimum, the project should take place annually.
- Brand enhancing: The project should be designed to elevate the Kiwanis brand in the local community with opportunities for public relations activities, such as using the Kiwanis name on the project, media mentions, etc.
- High impact: The project should have a demonstrable positive impact on the community; this impact should be measurable in monies raised, children served, flags hung, playgrounds built, etc.
- Membership focused: The project should support opportunities to strengthen membership and develop new partnerships.
Don't have one? Get started now!
Kiwanis International has a 5-Step Signature Project Toolkit to help you get started in creating a Signature Project. Click below for more information...
STEP 1: Choose a Project to Benefit Kids
STEP 2: Bring Your Project to Life
STEP 3: Work With Our Partners
STEP 4: Get Budget-Boosting Help
STEP 5: Report Your Success
STEP 1: Choose a Project to Benefit Kids
STEP 2: Bring Your Project to Life
STEP 3: Work With Our Partners
STEP 4: Get Budget-Boosting Help
STEP 5: Report Your Success
Need some inspiration? Here are some examples of Signature Projects:
Project: Kiwanis playgrounds
Recurring activity: Maintenance of equipment; addition of equipment Brand enhancing: Playground signage indicating Kiwanis support; Kiwanis branding on playground equipment; volunteers in Kiwanis logo shirts; media event for grand opening Impact: Number of children served by playground; monies raised to build playground; hours of service for playground community build; number of service hours donated by volunteers Membership/partnership focused: Place ribbon-cutting invitation in weekly school newsletter inviting the community to bring kids to play on the new playground; personal invitation sent to civil servant community leaders (i.e. police chief, fire chief, mayor) to attend ribbon cutting Project: Pancake breakfast for a cause Recurring activity: Annual events Brand enhancing: Kiwanis branding on banners, tickets; Kiwanis logo on plates, napkins, cups; use of Kiwanis logo aprons and chef hats; volunteers in Kiwanis logo shirts; media event Impact: Money raised; number of children served with money raised; number of service hours donated by volunteers Membership/partnership focused: Kiwanis-branded table at breakfast; staffed by Kiwanis members in branded apparel; distribution of club information, community impact, and membership invitation/form Project: Scholastic Reading Oasis installation Recurring activity: Ongoing replacement of books; maintenance of room equipment and supplies Brand enhancing: Kiwanis naming rights; Kiwanis logo stamped in each book; media event for grand opening Impact: Number of children served by reading oasis; monies raised to build reading oasis; number of service hours donated by volunteers Membership/partnership focused: Personal invitation sent to civil servant community leaders (i.e. police chief, fire chief, mayor) to attend ribbon cutting and reading oasis dedication |
Project: Bike safety clinic
Recurring activity: Annual event Brand enhancing: Collaborate with local police or fire department for elevated public relations; Kiwanis banner at event; volunteers in Kiwanis logo shirts; media event Impact: Number of children served through bike inspections; number of children served through bike helmet distribution; number of service hours donated by volunteers; potential number of children saved by bike safety Membership/partnership focused: Members in Kiwanis-branded apparel circulate among kids and parents talking about Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs and extending invitations to join Project: Flag distribution Recurring activity: Takes place on flag flying-appropriate holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day Brand enhancing: Kiwanis logo placed on flag poles; volunteers in Kiwanis logo shirts Impact: Number of flags distributed; number of service hours donated by volunteers Membership/partnership focused: As members go door-to-door in community soliciting flag subscriptions, extend invitations to homeowners to attend a club meeting |