Club History

Organized:  December 9, 1947
Chartered:  January 22, 1947
Chartered by Past Governor:  Don E. Engdahl
Sponsored by: Medford Kiwanis
1st Secretary:  Herbert K Stoner

The Grants Pass Kiwanis Club was chartered in December 1947. Over the years, many distinguished state and local leaders, business owners, attorneys, educators, ministers, police officers, and medical doctors have been members. Harry Crawford was the Club’s first President.

While much of the early history is unknown from the 50’s and 60’s, we know the Club met at Paul’s Hong Kong Restaurant during the late 60’s and early 70’s moving to the Brewery Restaurant in the mid 70’s where the Club met for many years, it was an ideal meeting location until a change of ownership forced a move to the Elk’s Club in 2006. The Club met there until 2010 when they moved to their current 2019 location, Elmer’s Restaurant.

Currently, the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club supports a number of charitable activities in Josephine County with financial contributions, member time, or a combination of both. Our club sponsors several outreach programs for local children, provides scholarships, advise Future Business Leaders of America, plus many others.

We began a new venture in 2014 called Biz for Kidz.  In this program, the GP Kiwanis Club partners with local businesses and individuals to allow for a seamless, annual donation process guaranteeing 100% of all proceeds go to the local community – with a firm focus on children in Grants Pass and Josephine County. Learn more about Biz for Kidz →

Members of our club are also very involved with a local non-profit college and career prep program called College Dreams which has several employees and former employees who are club members.  We also are involved with the JoCo Library system and provide opportunities for members to read to youngsters through our Reading is Fun program.  

As you can see, we are a very active club with a rich history. We encourage you to consider joining us.