Kiwanis empowers  communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children. Kiwanis strives to be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. These are some of the ways the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica supports kids and families in our community

Academic Scholarships. Financial awards are given to students earning good grades, contribute to their community, and enroll in higher education such as college or vocational school. The scholarships are need based. Students from local high schools as well as after school clubs such as the Boys and Girls Club and PAL are eligible. Speak to your guidance counselor about applying.

Music Scholarships. We fund the annual Kiwanis music competition among middle school and high school musicians. Awards are given for excellence in several music categories including winds and vocals. The winners perform a concert and enjoy a celebratory reception. The public is invited to the event!

Visual Arts Awards. Video, photography, painting, graphic arts, ceramics, digital art, etc. are all celebrated at an art gallery opening style event where these high school artists receive financial awards in recognition of their talent. Our newest scholarship program has been around since 2017.

Historic Belmar Park and Los Amigos Park and School. Kiwanis supplied the funding and the design for two scoreboards at parks in Santa Monica where none had existed before. In partnership with the City of Santa Monica the scoreboards were installed and a giant party was thrown to celebrate. The community turned out to enjoy games, snacks, a DJ, a .5k (yes, you read that right!), a beer garden!, and grant presentations to our local nonprofits who do the most for kids in our community.

The annual Youth Chess Tournament event presented by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica provides a day of learning, fun, and friendly competition. Every summer, 50 kids participate in this event at Virginia Ave. Park. Metals and bragging rights are awarded to the winners.

Buddy Benches are installed at schools and playgrounds as a place where kids who are feeling lonely or left out can sit to let others know they need a friend. The Buddy Bench was popularized in 2013 by a Pennsylvanian first grader to help promote friendships and inclusion. Since then, school groups around the country have installed them.


In 2019, Kiwanian past-president and current mayor, Phil Brock, brought the idea to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The Kiwanis Club members enthusiastically agreed and benches were installed at Santa Monica schools Franklin Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Muir Elementary / SMASH, Grant Elementary, Edison Language Academy, John Adams Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, and Roosevelt. Councilman Brock likes to say “Kids need Kiwanis” because of the many ways Kiwanis serves children locally and throughout the world. Buddy Benches demonstrate that “Kids need Kids” too.

The Kiwanis Club has help the City of Santa Monica increase the green in our city on Arbor Day every year. We have planted groves of trees in Clover Park, Hotchkiss Park, Palisades Park, Crescent Bay Park and Virginia Ave. Park. Other service clubs in the area have joined us over the years.

The Kiwanis Charities donated $53,000 to make this new children's playground a reality for the Borderline Neighborhood. A great crowd turned out for this fun afternoon that was filled with live music from TRIL and Tee-M, hot dogs and hamburgers, yogurt bars from Treats on Ocean Park Blvd and speeches from community dignitaries. The afternoon was hosted by Vice President Phil Brock who wore two hats as he was also the Chair of the city's Recreation & Parks Commission. Speeches were given by President Jessica Handy, Charities Board Members Jeff Segal and Charlie Weise, Councilperson Ted Winterer, Borderline Neighborhood President Patty Godon-Tann and VP Phil Brock.

Kids spent the day painting, gluing, taping, cutting, ripping and otherwise making very colorful and artful "messes" at this free event sponsored by Kiwanis and the arts community at Bergamot. Hundreds of kids enjoyed the day.

Informative educational sessions and heartful presentations. Great morning for all attendees.