Club 21

What Club 21 does

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center is a Pasadena, California-based nonprofit organization founded in 2009 that delivers a lifespan pathway of educational programs and support services for individuals with Down syndrome, from birth through young adulthood, along with resources for their families and educators. The organization operates a portfolio of approximately 19 named programs segmented by life stage — early childhood (First Steps, Stepping Up), school-age (Every Child A Reader, Club F.U.N., The Crew, Club Connections), young adulthood (Meaningful Life Learning Circles, Adult Social Groups, ILS Academy, Improvaneer Method), and transition-focused programming (Transition 101, Partners in Transition, Transition Bootcamp, Self Determination) — plus a Self Determination Learning Circles program and the SHINE Fund that finances employment and creative-business pursuits.

Underlying technology is minimal: the organization runs a Member Portal and Volunteer Portal for program registration, content access, and shift scheduling, alongside a Teachable Library of speaker recordings and a modifications database of sample lessons and templates. The core delivery medium is hybrid — in-person sessions at the 539 N. Lake Avenue Pasadena headquarters combined with Zoom-based virtual programming. Distribution is direct-to-consumer (families and educators) with no traditional resellers or enterprise sales motion.

Club 21 is funded through a diversified mix of five revenue streams: annual membership dues, program fees (Educational Partnership bundles at $480, Self Determination Learning Circles at $240, SDP Together at $200), individual and foundation donations, the SHINE memorial fund, and community third-party events anchored by the annual October 'Together is Better Walk.' Grant support comes from roughly nine regional foundations including Huntington Health, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation, Pasadena Community Foundation, and several others, supplemented by program-specific funding from the Marino Family Charitable Foundation and San Marino Woman's Club. The organization is a dues-paying member of three national Down syndrome bodies — Global Down Syndrome Foundation, National Down Syndrome Congress, and National Down Syndrome Society — and is governed by a Board of Directors under founder Nancy Litteken. The 2026-2027 organizational theme 'The Next Chapter' signals a strategic emphasis on transition planning, independence, and meaningful employment.

Name

Club 21

Legal name

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center

Website

https://clubtwentyone.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center is a Pasadena-based nonprofit founded in 2009 that provides a lifespan pathway of educational programs, resources, and community support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, from birth through young adulthood, alongside educator training and transition-to-employment services in the Los Angeles area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Down syndrome education
• Disability support services
• Special education programs
• Early intervention services
• Transition planning support

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Club 21 operates on a membership model where families pay annual membership dues to access programs, the member portal, and various resources.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors, foundations, and businesses contribute to fund educational pathway programs. Options include online donations, monthly giving, tribute gifts, and matching gifts.
3. Program Fees: Fees charged for specific programs such as Educational Partnership ($480 for parent+educator bundle, $120 per additional educator), Self Determination Learning Circles ($240), and SDP Together ($200). Scholarship options are available based on financial need.
4. The SHINE Fund: A memorial fund established in Sarah Hinojosa's name to financially support individuals with Down syndrome pursuing employment or creative business endeavors.
5. Third-Party Events: Community members organize third-party fundraising events to benefit Club 21. The annual 'Together is Better Walk' in October is a major community fundraising event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Club 21 is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive pathway of educational programs and support services for individuals with Down syndrome from birth through young adulthood. The organization delivers age-appropriate programs including early intervention, literacy, social development, transition planning, independent living skills, and self-determination education, along with support resources for families, educators, and service providers. Programs are delivered both in-person at the Pasadena, CA headquarters and virtually via Zoom.

Product overview

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive pathway of educational programs and services for individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood, along with support for their families and educators. The organization operates as a single unified nonprofit entity offering multiple interconnected programs across a lifespan approach. The programs are organized into age-appropriate stages: early childhood programs (First Steps, Stepping Up), school-age programs (Every Child A Reader/ECAR, Club F.U.N., The Crew, Club Connections), young adult programs (Meaningful Life Learning Circles, Adult Social Groups, ILS Academy, Transition programs), and family/educator support programs (Educational Partnership, Self Determination). The organization also provides member and volunteer portals for community engagement. Founded in 2009, Club 21 serves the Los Angeles area with programs designed to enable full inclusion and independence for individuals with Down syndrome.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Steps Early intervention program for infants and toddlers with Down syndrome from birth to 3 years, providing families with resources, support, and community upon diagnosis.
• Stepping Up

Quantifiable outcome

• Full inclusion and self-determined lives for individuals with Down syndrome

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Global Down Syndrome FoundationcoreOthersClub 21 is a proud member of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, a major national organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)coreOthersClub 21 is a proud member of the National Down Syndrome Congress, the leading national organization advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)coreOthersClub 21 is a proud member of the National Down Syndrome Society, a prominent national organization providing advocacy, resources, and programs for the Down syndrome community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): National advocacy and resource organization for people with Down syndrome. Broader mandate focused on policy and national programming rather than direct local service delivery.
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: National Down syndrome organization emphasizing research, medical care, and advocacy. Distinct from Club 21's local service model but competes for donor mindshare and affiliation credibility.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): National Down syndrome advocacy and education organization. Comparable on family support, education, and advocacy but operates nationally rather than as a local center.
• The Arc of the United States: Large national organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome. Broader scope but competes in the same nonprofit civic and disability-services space.

Direct peers

• GiGi's Playhouse: National network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering free educational, therapeutic, and social programs from birth to adulthood. Most direct comparable given mission overlap and lifespan-program model.
• Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles: Regional Down syndrome organization serving the greater Los Angeles area with family support, education, and advocacy — direct geographic overlap with Club 21.

Regional players

• Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress: State-level Down syndrome association providing education, advocacy, and family support. Comparable regional-service model to Club 21, but operating in a different geography.
• Down Syndrome Association of Orange County: Southern California Down syndrome organization providing education, family support, and community programs. Adjacent geographic and service overlap with Club 21.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit focused on one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with Club 21's employment and social belonging focus.
• Special Olympics Southern California: Sports training and competition organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Shares Club 21's inclusive recreation ethos and some donor/funder overlap but is delivery-model distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi90yUCwuEqJZRnQvvsq3FQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Club21LearningandResourceCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/clubtwentyone
• Xx.com/SBDSAorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/club-21-learning-and-resource-center-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Club 21