What National Conflict Resolution Center does

National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that provides mediation, professional training, and restorative-justice programming to schools, government agencies, enterprises, courts, and community residents. The organization operates three service pillars — Mediation (including the West Coast Resolution Group division serving the legal community and no-cost Community Mediation funded by San Diego County), Training Services (workshops, certificate programs, and customized on-site engagements using proprietary frameworks such as The Exchange, the Integrated Conflict Management System, and the Bystander Challenge), and Community Services (Restorative Practices in K-12 schools, the Juvenile Diversion Initiative administered for the San Diego County DA, THRIVE youth program, Civic Engagement Initiative, and the Center for Community Cohesion).

NCRC's underlying 'technology' is a corpus of proprietary methodologies rather than software: a four-stage Restorative Practices model for schools, a tiered ICMS for workplace conflict, interest-based mediation theory, the THRIVE case-management framework, and the Code of Civil Discourse adopted by local government bodies. The organization uses Quickbase-based case intake for community mediation but otherwise delivers services through trained human mediators and trainers (a network of roughly 80+). The Applied Research Center for Civility is run jointly with UC San Diego and a 2024 RAND Corporation study validated the restorative practices programming.

The business model blends three revenue mechanics: fee-for-service training and certificate programs (quote-based/custom proposals for organizations; Certificate program pre-approved for HRCI credits), government and foundation grant funding (e.g., a $1.25M two-year Conrad Prebys Foundation grant in 2024, plus ongoing support from at least eight additional foundations and the County of San Diego HHSA), and donations and event-based philanthropy (Peacemaker Awards, annual gala drawing 800+ community and civic leaders, with Title Sponsor U.S. Bank). Federal contracts with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Navy, Treasury, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs — held since 2003 — round out a diversified mix across enterprise, K-12, higher education, legal, government, and community segments, reaching 6,000+ people per year across five physical offices and a UC San Diego Park & Market location.

Name

National Conflict Resolution Center

Legal name

National Conflict Resolution Center

Website

https://ncrconline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Conflict Resolution Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 in San Diego that delivers mediation, professional training, and restorative-justice programming to schools, government agencies, enterprises, courts, and community residents across the U.S. and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conflict Resolution Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Conflict Resolution & Negotiation (EDABAMAE)

Keywords

• Conflict resolution services
• Mediation services
• Professional training programs
• Restorative justice
• Alternative dispute resolution

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service Training Programs: NCRC offers fee-based professional training programs, workshops, and certificate programs to enterprises, government agencies, and individuals. Training is offered as open-enrollment courses and customized on-site programs, generating revenue from tuition/fees.
2. Grant Funding: NCRC receives grants from foundations (e.g., $1.25M two-year grant from Conrad Prebys Foundation in 2024) and government agencies (County of San Diego, HHSA). These fund specific programs such as juvenile diversion, school intervention, community mediation, and THRIVE.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: NCRC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that receives donations from individuals, corporations, and private philanthropists. The organization states it touches the lives of 6,000+ people per year through donor-supported programming.
4. Community Mediation (No-Cost, Grant-Funded): Community mediation services are provided at no charge to participants, funded by the County of San Diego HHSA, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, and ADR program grants. These are not revenue-generating but community service programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 in San Diego, California, that delivers professional mediation, conflict resolution training, and restorative practices programming to individuals, schools, courts, corporations, and government agencies. Offerings include community mediation, civil/legal mediation through the West Coast Resolution Group, professional training and certificate programs, restorative practices, juvenile diversion, the THRIVE program, civic engagement programs, professional coaching, keynote speaking, and facilitated dialogue.

Product overview

National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) operates as a conflict resolution and training services organization with a portfolio of interconnected services organized around three core pillars: Mediation Services, Training Services, and Community Services. The core mediation offerings include Community Mediation Services (no-cost community disputes), the West Coast Resolution Group division (professional legal community mediation), and facilitated dialogue services. Training services encompass professional workshops including The Exchange, The Bystander Challenge, The Artful Conversation, The Art of Inclusive Communication, and certificate programs like the Culture, Communication, and Conflict Certificate. Community services focus on Restorative Practices in schools, the District Attorney Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI), THRIVE youth support program, and the Center for Community Cohesion. Supporting services include Professional Coaching, Keynote Speaking, and an Integrated Conflict Management System providing tiered organizational conflict resolution. Key initiatives target school-to-prison pipeline disruption, campus civility, and applied research through the partnership with UC San Diego.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Mediation Mediation services for San Diego County residents and community members to resolve interpersonal, family, or neighborhood disputes through neutral third-party facilitation.
• West Coast Resolution Group Civil and legal mediation services providing structured dispute resolution for litigants, attorneys, and referring courts as an alternative to formal litigation.
• Professional Training and Workshops Mediator training, certificate programs, and workshops in conflict resolution and restorative practices for individual professionals and organizations globally.
• Restorative Practices Programs Restorative practices implementation and programming for schools, organizations, and communities seeking alternatives to punitive discipline and conflict responses.
• Juvenile Diversion Programs Programs designed to divert youth from formal juvenile justice involvement into restorative and educational interventions, often delivered in partnership with schools and courts.
• THRIVE Program Named community program within NCRC's portfolio; specific outcomes and target population not specified in the source.
• Civic Engagement Programs Programs designed to strengthen civic participation, dialogue, and community engagement through structured facilitation and education.
• Professional Coaching One-on-one or group professional coaching services delivered by NCRC coaches to support client leadership and conflict management goals.
• Keynote Speaking Speaking engagements delivered by NCRC leadership and trainers at conferences, schools, and organizational events on conflict resolution topics.
• Facilitated Dialogue Structured group or multi-party dialogue facilitation services for organizations, schools, and communities addressing sensitive or high-stakes issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ people served annually across all programs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Diego County District Attorney's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Diego County DA selected NCRC to administer the Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI) countywide, expanding restorative justice programming to up to 500 youth per year. NCRC works with the DA's office to divert eligible youth (ages 12-18) from criminal charges into restorative programs including case management, behavioral health services, and restorative conferences.
• San Diego County Sheriff's DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC collaborates with the Sheriff's Department as part of community justice and juvenile diversion programming in San Diego County.
• San Diego County Department of ProbationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProbation department collaborates with NCRC on juvenile diversion and restorative justice programming for youth in the justice system.
• San Diego County Public Defender's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC works with the Public Defender's Office as part of collaborative partnerships supporting community justice initiatives in San Diego.
• University of California, San Diego (UCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC and UCSD jointly launched the Applied Research Center for Civility, conducting research into methods, dynamics, and best practices for addressing society's challenging social issues. UCSD has collaborated with NCRC since 2014 on the Galinson/Glickman Campus Civility Initiative (Tritons Together), training nearly 10,000 students. UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla is a vocal supporter. NCRC also has a presence at UC San Diego Park & Market.
• RAND CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAND Corporation conducted and published a study in 2024 validating the effectiveness of NCRC's restorative practices programming in San Diego schools and communities.
• QualcommminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner supporting NCRC's programs. Qualcomm is listed as a training institute client and community partner.
• San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSDG&E is a title sponsor of NCRC's Peacemaker Awards and a Diplomat-level supporter of the organization's initiatives.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of America is a Diplomat-level supporter and program sponsor of NCRC's Peacemaker Awards.
• KPBSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKPBS serves as a media sponsor of the Peacemaker Awards and collaborative media partner of NCRC.
• San Diego County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Diego County Office of Education partners with NCRC on restorative practices initiatives, expanding successful programs from individual districts to students across the county.
• San Diego State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDSU collaborates with NCRC on student affairs programming and civic engagement initiatives. Listed as a supporter and partner in community cohesion efforts.
• California State University San MarcosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSUSM was the original site of the Galinson Campus Civility Program and continues as a collaborative partner with NCRC.
• University of San Diego School of LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD School of Law collaborates with NCRC on legal community programming and is listed as a supporter.
• California Western School of LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Western School of Law is a collaborative partner of NCRC.
• U.S. Department of DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC has secured federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide dispute resolution programming. Steven Dinkin, NCRC President, has secured DoD contracts since 2003.
• U.S. Department of the NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC has federal contracts with the U.S. Department of the Navy to provide conflict resolution training.
• U.S. Department of the TreasuryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC has secured federal contracts with the U.S. Department of the Treasury for dispute resolution programming.
• U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCRC has secured federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for dispute resolution training.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JAMS: Largest private alternative dispute resolution provider in the U.S., offering mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution services similar to NCRC's West Coast Resolution Group. Directly comparable on mediation service delivery to the legal community.
• CDR Associates (Center for Dispute Resolution): Boulder-based mediation and conflict resolution firm providing facilitation, mediation, and training services to government, business, and community clients. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary conflict resolution services and training provider.
• International Institute for Restorative Practices: Graduate school and training provider specializing in restorative practices for schools, criminal justice, and workplaces. Comparable on the restorative practices training curriculum and school district programs that NCRC delivers across San Diego County.

Broad incumbents

• American Arbitration Association: Long-established nonprofit ADR organization providing mediation and arbitration services across all 50 states. Comparable as a similarly structured nonprofit providing alternative dispute resolution services to courts, attorneys, and enterprises.
• FranklinCovey: Large corporate training and consulting firm offering leadership, communication, and performance programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the corporate soft skills training market where NCRC also competes for enterprise training budgets.
• Dale Carnegie & Associates: Established global training company specializing in communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Comparable as a long-standing provider of workplace soft skills training that overlaps with NCRC's training institute offerings.

Emerging players

• LifeLabs Learning: Workplace training company offering soft skills programs including communication, conflict resolution, and leadership development. Comparable on the corporate training and workshop delivery model serving mid-market and enterprise clients.
• Seeds of Peace: Nonprofit focused on conflict resolution and leadership development among youth and educators. Comparable on the mission-driven approach to conflict resolution education, particularly in school and youth settings.

Regional players

• Community Boards Program: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing volunteer mediation and conflict resolution services for neighborhoods and communities. Comparable as a similarly structured nonprofit delivering community-based mediation services funded by local government.

Others

• Mosaic Group by LifeStance: Larger provider of mental health and family counseling services with mediation components. Adjacent peer given NCRC's case management and behavioral health integration within its juvenile diversion and THRIVE programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCRCOnline
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalconflictresolutioncenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about National Conflict Resolution Center