The Ames Kiwanis Club, the 968th club to be organized in Kiwanis International, came into existence on May 14, 1923 with 50 charter members. Service projects to benefit boys and girls were initiated in 1925, the first of many projects to follow. The first recognition as an outstanding club occurred in 1927, again one of many which followed.

International relations was an early and is an ongoing focus, starting with US/Canada relations and expanding from there. This club originally proposed that each Kiwanis Club's organization include a committee on international relations. Kiwanis adopted this as a national policy. International visitors (including Chairman Khrushchev), programs on international relations, inviting international students to become honorary members, and providing financial support to international students are examples of this focus.

Farm-city relations and support of programs for the elderly were early priorities for service projects. These included establishing the predecessor of the Heartland Senior Center.