At its heart, Civitan is about people helping people. Across North America and around the world, Civitan members share a commitment to making their communities better through service, friendship, and compassion. While Civitan has included notable leaders, innovators, and public figures throughout its history, its greatest impact has come from ordinary men and women who dedicate their time and talents to helping others.
For more than a century, Civitan clubs have responded to the needs of their communities, supporting local causes, assisting neighbors in times of need, and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. Civitan has long been recognized as a leader in inclusion and acceptance, embracing the belief that every person deserves dignity, respect, and the chance to reach their full potential.
One of Civitan’s defining missions is serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Since the 1950s, Civitan clubs have championed programs, services, and advocacy efforts that support individuals and families affected by developmental challenges. This commitment continues today through local service projects, fundraising efforts, community partnerships, and support for groundbreaking research.
Since 1992, Civitan International has supported the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where researchers work to advance understanding and treatment of conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and other developmental and neurological disorders.
Today, Civitan remains the only major service organization whose primary mission is serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through volunteer service, community projects, and charitable giving, Civitan members continue to make a meaningful difference, one person, one family, and one community at a time.
