Downey Kiwanis Foundation

The Downey Kiwanis Foundation was chartered in January 1985. The incorporators were C. Richard Holmes, Richard M. Lehn and Charles Pifer. Since its inception the foundation’s main mission has been providing college scholarships for graduating high school students in Downey. Most recently, the foundation has extended its scholarship program to benefit students in Lakewood. During the 2023 Scholarship Banquet, the foundation awarded over $122,000 in college scholarships to graduating seniors from Downey, Warren, Columbus and Lakewood High Schools.

In addition to college scholarships, the foundation has contributed financially to numerous community projects in Downey such as the ARC, the YMCA, Furman Park, the Columbia Memorial Space Center, among others. The foundation also contributes to the education of young children by its participation in the Downey Theater music education program, the First United Methodist Church child daycare program, and other non-profit organizations.