Civitan International

Civitan International is a non-profit organization dedicated to community service, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Founded in 1917 by Courtney Shropshire in Birmingham, Alabama, the group emphasizes good citizenship through fellowship, knowledge, and service to others.

History

Initially formed by a group of businessmen who broke away from the local Rotary club due to its focus on business promotion, Civitan grew rapidly into an international entity by the 1920s. The organization saw significant expansion following World War I, with over 3,300 members across the United States by June 1922. Civitan became the first major service club to integrate in the 1940s in the Southern United States, marking a significant milestone in its history[4][5].

In the 1950s, Civitan adopted a special emphasis on helping individuals with developmental disabilities. This focus was formally adopted in 1956, when the organization committed to supporting specialized teachers and services for people with I/DD[1][3].

Charitable Work

Civitan's charitable projects are conducted through local clubs, which are free to choose their own service projects. However, at an international level, Civitan is renowned for its focus on developmental disabilities. Key initiatives include:

• Civitan International Research Center (CIRC): Established in 1992 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, this center is dedicated to researching developmental disabilities such as autism, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, and other brain-related disorders. The CIRC is a flagship project of Civitan and supports over 100 researchers[1][4].
• Special Olympics and Community Support: Civitan has historically supported Special Olympics International and organizes various events and camps for individuals with developmental disabilities[3][5].

International Presence

Civitan International operates in numerous countries across the globe, supporting local communities through volunteer service clubs. Clubs are active in West Africa, where Civitan has been involved in providing clean drinking water and education, as well as in Nepal, where they support local orphanages[3][5].

Membership and Structure

Civitan has a diverse membership base, with approximately 40,000 members worldwide[5]. The organization also includes youth and collegiate programs known as Junior Civitan and Campus Civitan, respectively, which focus on developing leadership skills and supporting the Civitan International Research Center[4].

Financial Status

Although specific recent financial figures are not available, Civitan's revenue was reported at $2.2 million in 2007[5].

EIN and Legal Status

Civitan International is registered as a non-profit organization with the EIN 23-7408559.

Mission

The organization's mission centers on building good citizenship and providing volunteer opportunities to serve individual and community needs, with a particular emphasis on assisting people with developmental disabilities.