Rotary Club of Birmingham

What Rotary Club of Birmingham does

The Rotary Club of Birmingham is a 501(c)(3) civic nonprofit founded on February 6, 1913, in Birmingham, Alabama, and is recognized as the largest Rotary Club in the United States and one of the largest globally. The club organizes approximately 600 members drawn from 56 industries and 441 organizations, supported by an 18-member volunteer board of directors, seven vice presidents spanning Club, Communications, Community, International, New Generations, Programs, and Vocational service areas, and a small paid staff of three (Executive Director, Director of Membership & Communications, Office Manager). It operates as an autonomous local chapter within Rotary International, which connects 1.2 million members across 35,000+ clubs in 200+ countries.

RCB's core deliverables are community service programs rather than commercial products. Its signature programs include Rotary Trail (a $3.5 million, four-block public pathway completed in 2015, now undergoing a $1.5 million Eastern Gateway expansion); the Preschool Learning Initiative (over $1.4 million invested since inception with SuccessBySix and Birmingham City Schools, furnishing 17 Pre-K classrooms); the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program and Operation Wipe Out (international health initiatives in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Alabama, in partnership with O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB); the Holiday Boarding Homes project (serving 90+ residents annually); the Jim Hughey, Jr. Scholarship Program ($2,000 per year for four years, 39 recipients since 2019); and Rotaract youth leadership. Birmingham City Rotarian Dr. Leslie Wright also raised $240 million internationally as chair of Rotary's Polio Plus Campaign.

The organization's business model is nonprofit philanthropy. Revenue is sourced primarily from recurring quarterly member contributions to the RCB Foundation (established 1986 as a separate 501(c)(3) entity), supplemented by community donations from businesses, foundations, and individuals, and a $25 per-meeting fee paid by visiting Rotarians. The club markets through its website (birminghamrotary.org), email newsletters, social media, weekly notable-speaker meetings at The Harbert Center, signature community events, earned media, and Rotary International's global referral network. Geographic reach spans Birmingham, the State of Alabama, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, with the RCB Foundation serving as the philanthropic arm funding all service delivery.

Name

Rotary Club of Birmingham

Legal name

Rotary Club of Birmingham

Website

https://birminghamrotary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Rotary Club of Birmingham is a 501(c)(3) civic nonprofit founded in 1913, organizing 600+ business and civic leaders to deliver community service projects, educational programs, and international health initiatives across Birmingham, Alabama, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Service and Nonprofit Membership Organization

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Civic service programs
• Nonprofit membership
• Community leadership
• International health initiatives
• Educational service projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Member Contributions to RCB Foundation: RCB members make quarterly contributions, additional gifts, and legacy commitments to the foundation. These donations fund the club's service projects including community programs, international initiatives, and disaster relief.
2. Community Donations: The RCB Foundation accepts contributions from businesses, public and private foundations, grant-making organizations, and individuals beyond club membership. Donations support specific projects or unrestricted greatest needs.
3. Meeting Fees: Visiting Rotarians pay $25 to cover the cost of lunch at weekly meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Rotary Club of Birmingham is a civic service organization that brings together 600+ civic and business leaders to deliver community and international service projects. It operates signature programs including Rotary Trail (a four-block downtown pathway), Preschool Learning Initiative, Operation Wipe Out cervical cancer elimination, Holiday Boarding Homes, scholarships for Birmingham City Schools graduates, and the Rotaract youth leadership program, funded primarily through member contributions to the RCB Foundation.

Product overview

The Rotary Club of Birmingham is a civic nonprofit organization offering community service programs rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists of service programs including international health initiatives (Cervical Cancer Prevention/Operation Wipe Out), educational programs (Preschool Learning Initiative, Scholarships), community infrastructure (Rotary Trail), and youth leadership development (Rotaract Club). The RCB Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm funding these initiatives. The organization does not offer technology products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (Operation Wipe Out) International and statewide health initiative partnering with O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Rotary Club of Colombo, and the Alabama Department of Public Health to eliminate cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Alabama. Has screened 33,000+ women and men for breast cancer and referred 8,000 for further testing or treatment.
• Rotary Trail Four-block walking/running/biking pathway in downtown Birmingham completed in 2015 as the club's centennial gift. Transformed an abandoned railroad cut into a landscaped public space with an estimated $79 million economic impact over 10 years. The $1.5 million Eastern Gateway expansion is in progress to create a transformational entrance at the 24th Street bridge.
• Preschool Learning Initiative Early childhood education program established in 2004 in partnership with SuccessBySix and Birmingham City Schools, supporting Pre-K classrooms with resources, teacher training, and volunteer reading programs. RCB has invested $1.4M+ to date and furnished 17 Pre-K classrooms.
• Holiday Boarding Homes Program Annual community service program in which Rotarians shop for and personally deliver clothing, hygiene products, food, and gift items to residents of Birmingham boarding homes serving homeless and vulnerable individuals. Serves more than 90 residents annually.
• Jim Hughey, Jr. Scholarship Program Scholarship program awarding $2,000 per year over four years to Birmingham City Schools graduates attending accredited colleges and universities. Has awarded scholarships to 39 students since 2019.
• Rotaract Club of Birmingham Youth leadership development program chartered in 2004 for young professionals aged 18-30, focused on leadership development, community service, and fellowship alongside the parent Rotary Club through the Professional Partners program, Rotary Roundtables, and joint service projects.
• RCB Foundation 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit foundation established in 1986 that provides financial support for the club's service projects, local and international emergency relief, and community initiatives through member contributions and community donations.
• Weekly Member Meetings and Notable Speakers Program Weekly Wednesday fellowship meetings held at The Harbert Center (with buffet at 11:30 and meeting at 12:00) featuring high-caliber speakers from business, government, sports, and academia. The Notable Speakers program offers members unique access to Fortune 500 executives, government officials, and thought leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminated polio worldwide (leading role through Polio Plus Campaign)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Club Rotario Guatemala SurcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Guatemalan Rotary partner for expanding cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment work beyond Sri Lanka.
• O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing partnership for cancer prevention and treatment initiatives. RCB partnered with UAB to establish the Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Center in Sri Lanka and continues collaboration through Operation Wipe Out cervical cancer elimination efforts in Alabama.
• Rotary Club of Colombo, Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Primary international partner for cancer prevention project in Sri Lanka. Jointly established mammography center and later expanded to cervical cancer elimination initiative with shared global grant from Rotary International Foundation.
• Sri Lankan Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Government partner for cervical cancer elimination project, providing healthcare infrastructure and policy support for vaccination and screening programs targeting women at ages 10 and 35/45.
• Ashok Leyland CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting cervical cancer elimination project in Sri Lanka, contributing resources and visibility to the initiative.
• Rotary Club of Nurmberg-Sigena, GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Rotary partner in global grant for mammography equipment supporting Sri Lanka breast cancer detection program.
• Rotary Club of Zurich-Sihltal, SwitzerlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Rotary partner in global grant for mammography equipment supporting Sri Lanka breast cancer detection program.
• Alabama Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState health department partner for Operation Wipe Out, RCB's initiative to eliminate cervical cancer statewide in Alabama.
• UAB Department of Obstetrics and GynecologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for Operation Wipe Out cervical cancer elimination initiative in Alabama.
• SuccessBySix (United Way)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished Preschool Learning Initiative in 2004 as joint program supporting early childhood education in Birmingham City Schools. RCB invested $1.4M+ in the partnership.
• Birmingham City SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary education partner for Preschool Learning Initiative, scholarships, and other educational programs. BCS provides classrooms, teachers, and administrative support.
• Blackjack HorticultureminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape services provider for Rotary Trail maintenance including weekly landscape services, sprinkler maintenance, plant replacement, and ongoing upkeep.
• Freshwater Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Red Rock Trail System. Rotary Trail serves as key connector in 750-mile trail master plan linking residents throughout Jefferson County.
• City of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic partner for Rotary Trail through public-private partnership. City involved in trail maintenance and infrastructure support.
• Rotaract Club of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization founded with RCB support in 2004. RCB members engage through Professional Partners program, Rotary Roundtables, and joint service projects.
• Rotary InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal parent organization connecting 1.2 million members in 35,000+ clubs across 200+ countries. RCB is part of District 6860 and participates in international conventions and global service initiatives.
• The Harbert CentercoreOthersMeeting venue for weekly RCB gatherings. Built in 1986 by RCB members John Harbert and Hall Thompson. RCB is temporarily meeting off-site during renovations.
• Birmingham Parks & RecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting Rotary Trail maintenance and special projects including recent fence repairs.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kiwanis International: A larger, more established service club organization with a similar model of civic engagement, weekly meetings, and community service projects. Comparable in structure and mission, though not a single local club.
• Points of Light: A national civic engagement nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and corporate civic engagement. Comparable in mission around community service and volunteer mobilization, though operates at much larger scale.
• Lions Club International: One of the largest service club organizations globally with a comparable model of local clubs executing community service projects funded through dues and donations. Similar membership structure and civic mission.

Others

• The Rotary Foundation: The philanthropic arm of Rotary International that channels RCB member contributions into global grants. RCB partners closely with this foundation for international health and education projects—it is the upstream partner, not a competitor.

Direct peers

• Rotary Club of Chicago: One of the largest and most established Rotary clubs in the U.S. (founded 1905), with a similar model of weekly meetings, major civic projects, and global service partnerships. Directly comparable in member composition, fundraising model, and project scale.
• Civitan International: A Birmingham-headquartered civic service organization with a comparable membership model, weekly meetings, and focus on community service projects. Direct regional peer with overlapping civic leadership demographics.
• Rotary Club of New York: A flagship metropolitan Rotary club with a similar concentration of civic and business leaders, signature civic infrastructure projects, and international service initiatives. Operates with the same membership, meeting, and foundation structure as RCB.
• Junior League of Birmingham: A local membership-based civic organization of women leaders focused on community service and leadership development. Direct peer in the Birmingham civic ecosystem with similar membership, fundraising, and service project structure.
• Rotary Club of Atlanta: A historically significant Rotary club (founded 1913, same year as RCB) with parallel civic leadership focus, major community projects, and international service. RCB itself helped found the Atlanta Rotary in its early days.

Emerging players

• United Way of Central Alabama: A regional nonprofit focused on community fundraising and grantmaking for health, education, and financial stability programs—overlapping with RCB's community service mission and partnership portfolio (SuccessBySix is a United Way initiative).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rotary-club-of-birmingham

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rotary Club of Birmingham