Mental Health Matters Service Project

The Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District has promoted Youth Mental Health Awareness as its District Service Project since 2022-2023. Clubs have been encouraged to use a variety of resources to help bring awareness to the issues and struggles that many kids endure. Clubs have also been encouraged to fund projects with their communities and schools to reinforce mental well-being in our youth. 

2026 Grant Program

In 2026, the Nebraska-Iowa District again applied to use $2,000 of it’s District Grant* from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund for Mental Health service project grants.

The District is planning to offer eight $250 grants to Kiwanis clubs to be used for projects in their communities and schools. The grant application period is open now through May 1. Grant funds must be spent and reported by Sept. 20, 2026.

Please note, these grants are not to be used as “pass through dollars” to other organizations. Service Leadership Programs may be involved in the Mental Health Matters project, but the sponsoring Kiwanis club must be the lead organizer of the project.

2025 Grants

Thanks to funding provided this year by the Kiwanis Children’s Fund*, the District was able to offer eight $250 grants to Kiwanis clubs to be used for related projects in their communities and schools. Additionally, the District awarded four $200 grants so even more communities could be made aware of the importance of this service project. These grants are for hands-on projects that promote mental health awareness, foster mental well-being and/or form partnerships that help meet the mental-health related needs of kids.

Kiwanis clubs receiving $250 grants are:

  • Bellevue
  • Cedar Falls, Rough Risers
  • Eldora Iowa
  • Lincoln-Capital City
  • Riceville
  • Spirit Lake
  • Vinton
  • Wahoo Area

Kiwanis clubs receiving $200 grants are:

  • Lincoln Northeast
  • Mason City-River City
  • Omaha Golden K 
  • Sioux Center

This effort is to help break the silence and end the stigma behind mental health. There are resources and projects that can make a difference. Many clubs in the district have already taken steps to help, but we need more to get involved. New projects, as well as ongoing projects, are eligible for these special grant dollars.

Kids Need Kiwanis and the Nebraska-Iowa District needs you to help kids grow up healthy, both in body and mind!

*Funding for this effort comes from a District Grant Program at Kiwanis Children’s Fund. KCF designates a percentage of a district’s total undesignated giving from the previous Kiwanis year. This includes gifts from individuals, clubs and other entities within the district to the Children’s Fund. This grant program is by invitation only and districts must be in good standing to receive funding.

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