Founded in 1914, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown was one of Canada’s first Rotary clubs and has played a pivotal role in shaping Calgary’s community spirit. Early members led efforts like creating the Boys Club, supporting war efforts, and founding Calgary’s Community Chest, now known as the United Way. Rotary's core value of “Service Above Self” fueled a wide range of initiatives both locally and internationally.

The club continues to meet at the historic Palliser Hotel. Our Rotarians are committed to fostering local and global change through collaboration and dedication to community welfare.

Rotarian James Wheeler Davidson (Big Jim), a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, played a pivotal role in Rotary’s global expansion during the early 20th century. Beginning in 1927, Davidson embarked on an ambitious journey across Asia, establishing new Rotary clubs in countries such as India, China, Japan, and the Philippines. His dedication to fostering international understanding and service helped lay the foundation for Rotary’s global reach today. Davidson’s efforts exemplify the spirit of Rotary: Service Above Self.

Rotarian James Wheeler Davidson travels the world to form a total of 32 Rotary clubs in 15 different countries. The club-founding portion of the journey began in Athens, Greece, and continued through Cairo and Jerusalem. In India, the Davidson's tour added three more clubs: Bombay (Mumbai), Delhi, and Madras. He was again successful at founding a club in Sri Lanka. By journey's end, Jim had entertained 2,200 men in their offices, and Lillian's Rotarian articles were hugely popular.

The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) has a longstanding history of supporting Camp Chief Hector YMCA. In 1930/31, RCCD completed a dining lodge at the camp, which has ceremonially transferred to the YMCA in June of that year. This early contribution underscores RCCD's enduring commitment to youth development and community support.

The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) played a pivotal role in the formation of the Community Chest in 1935, a groundbreaking initiative that laid the foundation for what is now the United Way of Calgary and Area. This collaborative effort brought together community leaders, organizations, and resources to centralize charitable fundraising and allocate funds more effectively to those in need.

In 1949, after years of operating the Rotary Boys Club, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown took a significant step by establishing the downtown Boys' Club, designed to provide a safe, supportive environment for youth. The club offered mentorship, recreational activities, and skill-building programs aimed at empowering boys from underserved communities to reach their potential.

This initiative laid the foundation for what is now Trellis, a modern organization dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families across Calgary.

Hayden Smith of the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown spearheads the Million Dollar Dinner leading the Calgary foundation to the next level. Under the leadership of Chuck Simpson, the club becomes a founder in the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre.

Rotary Club of Calgary invites women to join the club. Nan Walker Jensen (niece of Rotary International founder Paul Harris) joined as an honorary member in 1991.

In 1993, the Rotary Club of Calgary founded the Carl Smith Stay-in-School (SIS) Program, named in honor of Carl Smith, a dedicated Rotarian with a passion for empowering youth through education. The program was established to provide mentorship, financial support, and guidance to students from grades 5 or 6 through high school graduation. By addressing barriers such as financial challenges and offering long-term mentorship, the SIS program helps students stay engaged in their education, build confidence, and achieve their academic and personal goals. This enduring initiative reflects RCCD’s commitment to creating opportunities for Calgary’s youth and fostering a brighter future for generations to come.

In 2007, the Rotary Clubs of Calgary, in partnership with the Flames Foundation for Life, created the Rotary Flames Park at Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta. This outdoor space features a basketball court, walking paths, green space, and a gazebo, providing families with a private and peaceful retreat during challenging times. The park reinforces the commitment to offering a compassionate and supportive home away from home. That same year, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and Rotary Club of Calgary South partnered with the Flames Foundation for Life to contribute a transformative $10 million gift to "Reach!"—a health-focused initiative supporting groundbreaking medical advancements. This gift funded projects including a cardiovascular hypertension centre, spinal cord research, the world’s first image-guided surgical robot (NeuroArm), tissue engineering, and a pediatric hospice. This partnership demonstrates Rotary's enduring commitment to health, innovation, and community well-being.

Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown appoints its first woman president, Eva Friesen, CEO of the Calgary Foundation.

In 2017, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) proudly supported the opening of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway, a 138-kilometer pathway encircling Calgary. This transformative project, in partnership with Mattamy Homes, connects communities across the city, promoting active living, outdoor recreation, and environmental sustainability. RCCD’s involvement reflects its commitment to enhancing public spaces, fostering community connection, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown becomes the steward of the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale which raises approximately half a million dollars in support of Early Childhood Literacy programs and projects in and around Calgary.