In 2007, Circle K partnered with the U.S. Fund[4] to help raise $500,000 for UNICEF in efforts to help children around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water.

It got its name from the cost in U.S. funds, to purchase one pack of rehydration salts to purify a day's worth of drinking water.

Their service partners include UNICEF, Students Team Up to Fight Hunger (STUFH),[5] March of Dimes, Better World Books, Junior Chamber International, and the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

[6] In 2017, Circle K International partnered with UNICEF to adopt the five-year signature project WASH. Circle K International aims to provide education, awareness, and funding to supply clean drinking water and sanitation education to schools and children in Haiti to target Haiti's emergency needs to reach 200,000 people in cholera-affected areas with a complete WASH response package.

Organized as a fraternity, Kappa Iota Phi served men who needed financial aid to attend college.

Kiwanians also wanted to provide collegiate students leadership opportunities for their future careers and work service projects to better their communities while having a sense of fellowship.

Circle K International adopted the Kiwanians beliefs by establishing the three tenets of Service, Leadership, and Fellowship to bring a sense of purpose to the organization.

[7] The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees accepted a proposal to allow the establishment of Circle K Districts on February 22, 1957.

The move was initially met with resistance by Kiwanis, which must approve all changes to the Circle K governing documents.

Faulkner's election and the admission of female members was symbolic of the new level of maturity and responsibility Circle K International had assumed over 20 years of service, growth and development.

Districts-in-Formation exist in Eastern Canada, Central and South America, Australia, and the Pacific Rim.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the 2019-2020 International Board announced on April 22, 2020 that the upcoming convention in Las Vegas was canceled.

In June 2021, due to the continued threat of the pandemic, CKI members were invited to the Kiwanis Education & Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah instead of holding their own International Convention.

Districts are charged with implementing International policies within their represented clubs and otherwise enhancing the member experience.