Chartered May 10, 1916, just one year after Kiwanis began in Detroit , Kiwanis Club of Columbus is the fifth-oldest club in Kiwanis International. From an initial membership of 21 members, the Club has grown until today it is the largest club in Ohio .

Sometimes referred to as “the Downtown Club,” Kiwanis Club of Columbus has contributed much to the community during its 94-year history. In 1921, the club spearheaded the establishment of a rural police force in Ohio , which later became the Ohio Highway Patrol.  The Columbus Boychoir, which later moved to Princeton , New Jersey and became the American Boychoir, was originally supported by the club.

The idea for Crime Solvers Anonymous began with our club, and we have remained active in its financial support, as well as providing board members, since its inception.  The Columbus Kiwanis College Fair annually helps to connect high school seniors with representatives from over 170 colleges and universities.

Kiwanis Club of Columbus is proud that the third President of Kiwanis International, Edmund Arras, was a member of our Club. Proud, too, that many other Kiwanis clubs in central Ohio were originally sponsored by the Downtown Club.  And the list of our past Club presidents includes many well-known community leaders.

Traditions have been a strong part of the history of the Club. Events like our President's Parties and trustee campaigning are legendary.  Equally important are new events such as the Corporate Regatta and Spring Auction, whose successes in fundraising assure our ever-increasing financial support of children and the disadvantaged.

Fundraising, fellowship and hands-on service to our community amply justify our claim to be the premier service organization in town.  Annually, our Columbus Kiwanis Foundation places $80-85,000 back into the Columbus community through an active program of scholarships and grants.  In addition, we provide countless hours of volunteer work feeding the needy, helping children learn to read, supporting a variety of programs for the elderly and supporting a number of social service agencies with additional manpower during key family and children programs.  We are a Club that encourages our members to become involved in our community both physically and financially and which actively promotes our motto of "Changing the world one child and one community at a time."

We would welcome your participation.  If you would like to learn more about us, please let us know.  We would love to have you as our guest at one of our upcoming luncheon meetings.