The United Nations Association of the United States of America

What The United Nations Association of the United States of America does

UNA-USA San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic organization established in 1946 as the American Association for the United Nations and now operating as one of more than 200 local chapters of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA). The chapter is headquartered at 2171 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park, a building secured through a 1953 lease signed by Eleanor Roosevelt and held under a San Diego City Council lease since 1960, and it holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that allows members direct access to UN sessions and conferences. Its geographic scope is strictly San Diego County.

The organization's programming rests on three pillars: education, advocacy, and community engagement. Education products include Model UN training and advisory services, the Mobile Classroom for grades 5-8, Classroom Without Borders workshops, the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom (capacity up to 20), and the We Are The World teen workshops; advocacy is delivered through legislative engagement tools, a mobile action platform, and SDG-aligned initiatives; community engagement is anchored by annual commemorative events (UN Day on October 24, Human Rights Day on December 10, International Women's Day on March 8, Welcoming Week), two affinity groups (UNA Women San Diego and UNA San Diego Youth Engagement), the annual Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in place since 1998, an essay contest series, and the in-development Eleanor Roosevelt Museum scheduled for a Fall 2026 grand opening as part of the chapter's 80th anniversary.

Revenue is generated through four small streams: individual membership dues (processed via the national UNA-USA portal), sales from the UN International Gift Shop at Balboa Park selling handcrafted international items plus flag rental services at $12 per set for a 3-day minimum, donations solicited via the Zeffy platform, and volunteer-led fundraising. The chapter reports 11-50 employees, is governed by a volunteer 2026 Board of Directors led by Board President Mary M. McKenzie, Ph.D., and discloses no financial statements on its public website; all programs are delivered in-person within San Diego County and no AI/ML, software product, or API surface is associated with the organization.

Name

The United Nations Association of the United States of America

Legal name

United Nations Association of San Diego

Website

https://unasd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UNA-USA San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic organization founded in 1946 that delivers UN-focused education, advocacy, and community engagement programs to San Diego County residents from its Balboa Park headquarters, funded through memberships, donations, and gift shop sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Education and Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMAGAB

Model United Nations (MUN)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Academic Clubs & Competitions (Debate, Model UN, Olympiads)

SECONDARYEDAMAOAG

Model UN & Parliamentary Procedure Programs (Oratory-Focused)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Public Speaking & Debate Clubs

SECONDARYEDAMALAK

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAIAKAE

Community Engagement & Social Integration Programs (Clubs, Events, Volunteering)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Student Support & Cultural Integration Services

SECONDARYEDADALAA

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

Keywords

• Civic education programs
• Global advocacy initiatives
• Model UN training
• Community engagement services
• International cultural exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Revenue generated through individual memberships to UNA-USA and the San Diego Chapter, providing access to affinity groups, advocacy platforms, and local programming.
2. International Gift Shop Sales: The UN International Gift Shop at Balboa Park sells handcrafted international items including African instruments, Polish hand-carved boxes, Russian nesting dolls, ethnic clothing, exotic jewelry, holiday items, and international books. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM to 4:30 PM, closed Mondays.
3. Flag Rental: Rental of UN and country flags (7 feet pole, 3x5 foot flag) for events. Rental price of $12 per set includes minimum 3-day rental period with $4 surcharge per additional day. Available by appointment only.
4. Donations: The organization solicits donations to support local programs and young leaders through platforms like Zeffy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The chapter delivers civic education, Model UN training, and advocacy programming that translates United Nations work into a San Diego context. It also runs affinity groups, commemorative community events, and the UN International Gift Shop with flag rentals, with revenue coming from memberships, donations, and gift shop sales.

Product overview

UNA-USA San Diego operates as a non-profit chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA, offering a multi-faceted portfolio of educational programs (Model UN, Mobile Classroom, Classroom Without Borders, Global Classroom), advocacy and legislation initiatives, commemorative events (UN Day, Human Rights Day, International Women's Day), affinity groups (UNA Women San Diego, Youth Engagement), essay contests, the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award program, the UN International Gift Shop with flag rental services, and the upcoming Eleanor Roosevelt Museum. The organization focuses on promoting engagement with the UN through local education, advocacy, and mobilization for Sustainability, Peace, and Global Citizenship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award: Annual award recognizing individuals who believe in the goals of the UN and effect positive, lasting change in their work. Given every year since 1998.
• UN International Gift Shop
• Eleanor Roosevelt Museum at the UN Building
• UNA WOMEN San Diego

Products and services

• Education & Model UN Programs Comprehensive educational programs including Model UN training, Mobile Classroom for grades 5-8, Classroom Without Borders workshops, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom for groups of up to 20 participants. Targeted at K-12 and university students, teachers, and educators.
• Mobile Classroom Interactive presentation that travels to classrooms (grades 5-8) covering UN origins, goals, structure, human rights, and humanitarian work, including a UNICEF film.
• Classroom Without Borders Three-day workshop for middle and high school students focused on UN human rights, sustainable development, and peace topics, designed to integrate across academic disciplines.
• Eleanor Roosevelt Global Classroom In-person classroom experience at the UN Building welcoming groups of up to 20 participants of all ages for customized UN education.
• Model United Nations Advisory Services Advisory services for universities and schools offering Model UN training, speakers, resources, and preparation for Adult MUN programs.
• We Are The World Workshops Interactive workshops for teens providing information about the origins, goals, structure, and work of the United Nations, including specialized Girl Scout programs.
• Membership Program Membership offering to join UNA-USA San Diego with access to affinity groups, advocacy networks, and local chapter engagement opportunities.
• UN International Gift Shop Retail gift shop at Balboa Park featuring handcrafted international items from Africa, Latin America, Poland, Russia, and Scandinavia. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Flag Rental Service Rental of UN and country flags (7 feet pole, 3x5 foot flag) for events. Rental price of $12 per set includes minimum 3-day rental period with $4 surcharge per additional day. Available by appointment only.
• UNA San Diego Essay Contest Annual essay contest for high school and college students, previously commemorating World Water Day with Blue Water Institute and celebrating International Youth Day.
• Community Model UN (CommMUN) Inaugural Community Model UN conference hosted by UNA-USA San Diego in fall 2026, open to all community members as a delegate experience.
• UNA Women San Diego Affinity Group Affinity group dedicated to promoting women's and girls' empowerment through education and advocacy, organizing International Women's Day celebrations and delegations to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
• UNA San Diego Youth Engagement Youth-focused affinity group engaging young people in UN-related activities and advocacy at the local level.
• UN Day Celebration Annual commemoration on October 24th marking the anniversary of the UN Charter's entry into force in 1945, celebrating multilateral cooperation.
• Human Rights Day Event Annual event on December 10th honoring Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948, featuring film screenings and awareness activities.
• International Women's Day Celebration Annual celebration on March 8th organized by UNA Women San Diego affinity group to promote women's and girls' empowerment and advocate for their rights locally and globally.
• Welcoming Week Initiative Community event creating a welcoming San Diego through engagement activities during Welcoming Week.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award has been given every year since 1998.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA non-partisan organization aimed at reducing the number of gun deaths and injuries in San Diego county. Collaborates with UNASD on advocacy and community safety initiatives.
• San Diego Refugee Forum (SDRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides organizations and individuals in San Diego with opportunities and tools to advocate for, educate and empower persons fleeing from war and prosecution.
• San Diego International Sister Cities Association (SanDISCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed in 1993 as an umbrella organization for all Sixteen Sister City Societies of San Diego. Works to maintain citizen-diplomat relations with sister cities while each society pursues its own mission.
• San Diego Diplomacy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates professional, cultural, and educational experiences that connect local and global changemakers, fostering convergence in a divergent world.
• San Diego World Affairs CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating and engaging San Diegans on global issues, foreign policy, international relations, and cross-cultural opportunities and challenges.
• Zonta InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNA Women San Diego fosters partnership with Zonta International for women's advocacy initiatives.
• United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)flagshipOthersUNASD holds consultative status with ECOSOC, allowing members to attend UN sessions and conferences. The organization participates in ECOSOC activities and initiatives.
• United Nations Foundation (UNF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNASD works with the UN Foundation to connect San Diegans and promote and support the UN's work to resolve the great challenges of the 21st century.
• United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNA-USA San Diego is one of over 200 chapters of UNA-USA, the national organization working to build support for the UN and promote U.S. engagement with the organization.
• Better World CampaignflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNASD collaborates with the Better World Campaign to support the UN's work and connect San Diegans to global initiatives.
• United Nations Association - Southern California Division (UNA-SoCal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional affiliation with UNA-SoCal connecting UNA-USA San Diego with other Southern California chapters.
• Blue Water InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Blue Water Institute in 2025 to host the first Annual Essay Contest commemorating World Water Day.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Nations Association of the USA (National): National parent organization of the San Diego chapter, coordinating advocacy, education, and membership across more than 200 chapters. Directly comparable as the umbrella entity with shared mission, brand, and consultative ECOSOC status.
• Better World Campaign: Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization working to strengthen U.S.-UN relations. Comparable as a UN-focused advocacy partner operating at a national scale with overlapping policy and engagement objectives.
• United Nations Foundation: Major UN-affiliated philanthropic and advocacy organization connecting civil society to UN initiatives. Comparable as a flagship strategic partner sharing UNA-USA San Diego's mission of mobilizing public support for the UN's work.
• Sister Cities International: National network of sister city programs promoting international partnerships and citizen diplomacy. Comparable to UNA-USA San Diego as a network-affiliated organization driving grassroots international engagement and education.

Direct peers

• San Diego Diplomacy Council: San Diego-based nonprofit creating professional, cultural, and educational international exchange experiences. Comparable as a regional civic organization focused on diplomacy, global engagement, and connecting local communities to international institutions.
• San Diego World Affairs Council: Nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating San Diegans on global issues, foreign policy, and international relations. Directly comparable to UNA-USA San Diego in mission, education programming, and member-driven advocacy in the same geography.
• San Diego International Sister Cities Association (SanDISCA): Umbrella organization for San Diego's sixteen sister city societies maintaining citizen-diplomat relations. Directly comparable as a local civic organization pursuing cultural exchange and international cooperation in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unasd
• Instagraminstagram.com/UNASanDiego
• Xx.com/UNASanDiego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1552541

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The United Nations Association of the United States of America