Business and charity have always gone hand in hand, and Kiwanis International is a huge organization originating in Michigan and dating back to 1951. It’s idealistic values are very much like those of Rotary Club, although it’s aim is very specific in that the purpose of the charity is defined as “Changing the world one child at a time, and one community at a time.”

The way in which organizations such as this benefit business is a two way give and take situation, those businesses involved offering their expertise to help develop ways of helping others, localized into different groups that businesses can participate in, and by doing so gain valuable contacts and indeed the notoriety attached with charitable aims.

What the Kiwani philosophy is sending as a message worldwide is that people benefit from their contact within communities, and that by starting an organization where those who gain can give something back, that support of businesses and individuals means that help is available to those parts of society that merit it and that need input and aid.

The six objectives of the organization spell out their philosophy in clear language and include:

*Humane and spiritual help rather than financial aid.
*To encourage the positive attributes to interaction with each other.
*To help communities develop better professional skills
*To develop a more intelligent society
*To help to promote long lived friendships, and better communities
*To promote good values such as patriotism, justice and goodwill.

Not bad objectives in a modern society and interesting ones for the local business owner to think about.

The association is worldwide and recognized as a leader in the field of helping out those that need it, and has projects that have deep impact in developement of health awareness and prevention measures in child illnesses resulting from Iodine deficiency, Educational projects in Europe, and runs Leadership programs for children and younger adults.

From a business point of view, it makes sense, because by gathering those businesses together to make the world a better place, this opens up new areas to businesses where not only can they give, but they can also profit. Taking the premise a step further, it is not always financial gain either. What the groups give to it’s members simply by getting together and pooling ideas are skills upon which there is no price tag, those skills of leadership, teamwork and efficient communication and these are the standing stones of good business practice.