​Optimist International celebrates its Centennial in 2019.
The Northridge Optimist Club is active in initiating youth and community projects locally, as well as bringing youth activities organized by Optimist International to the local level. Some examples of the activities that are currently being held are as follows: 

Youth Scholarships - The club oversees two scholarship programs that benefit Northridge High School students. One is funded by club investments with The Dayton Foundation and distributes over $7,000 in scholarship money among several students annually. The other is funded by Cargill Corporation in conjunction with our club and provides two year scholarships of about $1200 per year, per student for two students each year. Over one hundred Northridge students have been awarded scholarships over the past thirty plus years.

Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund was started by Northridge Local Schools with The Dayton Foundation for funding school related programs that were not covered by school district budgets. The fund was started with an initial investment donated by Northridge Optimist Club, and the club donates to this fund on an ongoing basis. The disbursement of funds is handled as a grant process, with Northridge Optimist members serving on an  advisory committee that evaluates applications for funds, providing about $4500 per school year for various educational enhancements.
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Optimist International Essay Contest - Optimist International assigns a new topic each year and provides the rules and guidelines for holding this essay contest for students. Our club conducts a local level of the contest in conjunction with Northridge schools.  The winning contestant’s essay is then eligible to compete for scholarship awards with other student essays at the Optimist District (state) level. Our club has also held club level Optimist International Oratorical Contests as well as hosting zone and regional contests.

Christmas Sharing - The club buys food and delivers it to about twenty needy families during the holiday season.

Donations - The club makes donations to several youth and community serving organizations, such as Crayons for Classrooms and College Promise, and also supports various school activities.