What Arms Control Association does

The Arms Control Association (ACA) is an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental nonprofit membership organization founded in 1971 as a project of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and incorporated independently in 1972. Headquartered at 1100 H Street NW, Washington, DC, ACA operates a staff of 11-50 focused on public education, policy analysis, and advocacy to reduce threats from nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Its primary outputs are informational and analytical — most prominently the monthly flagship journal Arms Control Today — supplemented by a portfolio of topic-specific newsletters and blogs (Arms Control NOW, Nuclear Disarmament Monitor, P4+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alert, Emerging Technology, North Korea Denuclearization Digest, Inside the ACA), plus Fact Sheets, Issue Briefs, Policy White Papers, and Research Reports hosted at armscontrol.org, which receives 1.5 million+ unique visitors annually.

ACA serves U.S. and foreign policymakers, journalists, scholars, and concerned citizens, distributing complimentary digital copies of Arms Control Today to all individual congressional offices, key congressional committees, and UN missions. The organization co-hosts several coalitions and projects — the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction, the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition, the Project for the CTBT, the Commission on Challenges to Deep Cuts, and the Firebreaks: AI Integration into Nuclear Operations project — and runs the annual Arms Control Person of the Year award. The current operating posture, captured in June 2026 coverage of the NPT Review Conference and the Islamabad MOU on U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shows active engagement with multilateral treaty politics, emerging technology governance, and rapid-response policy publishing.

ACA generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit mix rather than commercial sales: annual individual memberships with bundled journal subscriptions, foundation grants from institutional funders (Carnegie Corporation of New York, MacArthur Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ploughshares, New-Land Foundation, Prospect Hill Foundation, Samuel Rubin Foundation, Simons Foundation Canada, Telemachus Foundation), a grant from the German Foreign Federal Office, tax-deductible individual donations, advertising in Arms Control Today ($175-$600 per placement), and licensing fees for reprints and translations ($300 per edition). Go-to-market is community-led: ACA influences policy through authoritative publications, press briefings, expert media commentary, conferences, and an active social and newsletter presence aimed at journalists, diplomats, scholars, and the informed public.

Name

Arms Control Association

Legal name

Arms Control Association

Website

https://armscontrol.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Arms Control Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 in Washington, DC, publishing the journal Arms Control Today and operating newsletters, research, and advocacy programs on nuclear, chemical, and biological arms control for policymakers, journalists, scholars, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Advocacy Publications

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Peace, Security & Arms Control Organizations (BPADAAAF)

Keywords

• Arms control policy
• Nonproliferation research
• Nuclear disarmament
• Policy advocacy
• Security publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees that include a 12-month subscription to Arms Control Today. Members receive access to authoritative information and analysis on arms control proposals, negotiations, and agreements.
2. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Carnegie Corporation of New York, German Foreign Federal Office, New-Land Foundation, Ploughshares, Prospect Hill Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Samuel Rubin Foundation, Simons Foundation Canada, and Telemachus Foundation.
3. Advertising Revenue: Advertising sales in Arms Control Today publication, with rates ranging from $175-$600 per placement depending on placement type and color options. Non-profit organizations receive 10% discount.
4. Reprint and Permission Fees: Fees charged for reprinting articles from Arms Control Today in textbooks and periodicals ($300 per edition), as well as online reprint permissions and translation requests.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals supporting the organization's mission to eliminate threats from weapons of mass destruction. EIN: 23-7124588.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Arms Control Association is a nonprofit membership organization that produces authoritative publications, policy analysis, and advocacy on arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament. Its flagship monthly journal Arms Control Today is complemented by issue briefs, fact sheets, research reports, policy white papers, blogs, and special projects delivered to policymakers, journalists, scholars, and members.

Product overview

The Arms Control Association operates a unified publication and advocacy platform centered on its flagship monthly journal Arms Control Today, supplemented by a portfolio of newsletters and blogs (Arms Control NOW, Nuclear Disarmament Monitor, P4+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alert, Emerging Technology Blog, North Korea Denuclearization Digest, Inside the ACA), research publications (Fact Sheets, Issue Briefs, Policy White Papers, Research Reports), and special projects including the Physicists Coalition, Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition, Project for the CTBT, Firebreaks AI project, and Commission on Deep Cuts. The organization also administers the annual Arms Control Person of the Year award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arms Control Today Journal The monthly flagship journal providing authoritative information and analysis on arms control proposals, negotiations, agreements, and national security news. Available in print and digital formats and distributed to members, congressional offices, and UN missions.
• Policy White Papers Objective assessments of key security and disarmament issues with recommended policy responses authored by ACA staff and fellows.
• Research and Reports Comprehensive research reports on arms control, nonproliferation, emerging technologies, and nuclear threat reduction strategies.
• Fact Sheets Concise reference materials covering nuclear weapons, treaties, chemical weapons, missiles, and country profiles on arms control and nonproliferation topics.
• Issue Briefs Rapid reaction publications providing analysis on breaking arms control events and key nuclear, chemical, biological, and conventional arms issues.
• Arms Control NOW Blog A blog providing updates and analysis on current arms control developments and issues followed by ACA staff and experts.
• Nuclear Disarmament Monitor Newsletter A newsletter covering broader disarmament efforts, nuclear risk reduction, and disarmament diplomacy involving China and other NPT nuclear-armed states.
• P4+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alert A periodic alert providing news and analysis on the negotiations and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between the P5+1 and Iran.
• Emerging Technology Blog Coverage of emerging technologies including hypersonic weapons, offensive cyber weapons, lethal autonomous weapons, and AI safety and security in nuclear operations.
• North Korea Denuclearization Digest A periodic newsletter providing updates and analyses on diplomatic and denuclearization efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
• Inside the Arms Control Association Newsletter Monthly member newsletter offering insights into the work of the Association's staff and leadership.
• ACA Individual Membership Annual individual membership that includes a 12-month subscription to Arms Control Today and access to member-only content, supporting the organization's mission to eliminate threats from weapons of mass destruction.
• Article Reprint and Translation Licensing Licensing service for reprinting Arms Control Today articles in textbooks and periodicals ($300 per edition), online reprint permissions, and translation requests.
• Arms Control Today Advertising Display advertising placements in the Arms Control Today publication with rates ranging from $175-$600 depending on placement type and color options, with 10% nonprofit discount.
• Project for the CTBT An initiative supporting NGO and expert work to build public and policymaker understanding of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and entry-into-force efforts, including reports on nuclear testing developments and CTBTO progress.

Quantifiable outcome

• ACA helped rally opposition to Trump's threats against North Korea and successfully made the case for direct U.S.-North Korean diplomacy on denuclearization
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Firebreaks: AI Integration into Nuclear Operations ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026A February 2026 project addressing how technological developments affect nuclear risks. ACA, Berkeley Risk and Security Lab (BRSL), and European Leadership Network will deliver options to advance AI safety and security in nuclear operations. Funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.
• Call to Halt and Reverse the Nuclear Arms RacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Launched July 2025, serves as a rallying point for institutions, civil society leaders, scholars, public officials, and more. Platform with resources and ways to get involved. Has been signed by 50+ organizations and numerous individuals. ACA co-launched this initiative.
• Arms Control Tomorrow (with European Leadership Network)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021A project launched in conjunction with European Leadership Network to evaluate and develop practical policy options to regulate potentially disruptive emerging technologies, including hypersonic weapons, offensive cyber weapons, lethal autonomous weapons, and other emerging technologies.
• Bipartisan Nuclear Policy Dialogue Project (with The Lugar Center)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013From 2013-2021, ACA and The Lugar Center organized a series of private dinners and congressional briefings on nuclear weapons policy issues. Program provided forum for senior national security staff across committee jurisdictions and party affiliations to establish relationships and increase knowledge of nuclear risks and risk reduction strategies.
• Project for the CTBTmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009An initiative of ACA that supports NGO and expert work to build public and policymaker understanding of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and entry into force efforts. Provides information on history and issues surrounding the CTBT, reports on nuclear testing developments, CTBTO work, and progress toward entry into force. Launched at time of renewed U.S. interest in the treaty.
• Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat ReductioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national network of physicists and physical scientists in the United States working to inform and mobilize action by the physical sciences community. The Coalition advances changes in nuclear arsenals, force postures, budgets, and declaratory policies that reduce the role of nuclear weapons. Coalition experts deliver colloquia on nuclear weapons issues at campuses and foster local and national engagement. Co-hosted at ACA.
• Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition (CWCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent, international body whose mission is to support the aims of the Chemical Weapons Convention and supplement OPCW efforts through civil society action. CWCC aims to achieve full CWC membership, safe elimination of chemical weapons, and prevent misuse of chemicals for hostile purposes while promoting peaceful use. In 2022, CWCC received the Hague Award for Peace. Co-hosted at ACA.
• Commission on Challenges to Deep CutsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent experts group established in 2013, composed of 21 members from the United States, Germany, and Russia. Its mission is to devise and promote concepts on how to overcome current challenges to deeper nuclear weapons reductions. ACA is the project's lead U.S. partner. Commission hosted by Hamburg Peace Research Institute.
• European Leadership NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on multiple projects including Firebreaks (AI integration into nuclear operations) and Arms Control Tomorrow initiative to evaluate policy options for emerging technologies.
• Forum on the Arms TrademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer ACA project that became a project of Center for International Policy as of October 2023. Network of civil society experts addressing humanitarian, economic, and other implications of arms transfers and security assistance.
• International Crisis GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ACA on a white paper regarding Iran nuclear negotiations, specifically on defining Iran's enrichment capacity during 2013-15 nuclear talks.
• Stimson CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ACA on research and advocacy campaigns, including leading efforts on UN Security Council Resolution 2310 reinforcing the taboo against nuclear testing in 2016.
• Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction (Physicists Coalition)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, cooperated with Physicists Coalition to rally international support behind joint statement at G-20 Summit that use of nuclear weapons and threats of use are 'inadmissible.' Coalition co-hosted at ACA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution: One of the largest U.S. think tanks with significant arms control, nuclear policy, and emerging technology programs. A larger incumbent peer with substantially greater research staff and policy bandwidth than ACA, competing for donor attention and media citations.
• Council on Foreign Relations: Major U.S. foreign policy think tank publishing broad international affairs analysis including arms control and nonproliferation. A larger, more diversified incumbent operating in the same policy space with overlapping audiences of policymakers and media.

Direct peers

• Federation of American Scientists: Nonprofit policy organization bringing scientific and technical analysis to national security issues including nuclear weapons policy, biosecurity, and emerging technology. Direct peer serving overlapping policy audiences with comparable nonprofit funding model.
• Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: Washington-based nonprofit focused on U.S. nuclear weapons policy, arms control, and nonproliferation advocacy with a similar small-staff, policy-analysis-driven operating model. Most directly comparable U.S. peer in mission, size, and policy focus.
• Ploughshares Fund: Leading U.S. foundation funding nuclear weapons policy advocacy, research, and activism. Both a current ACA funder and a peer in the arms control ecosystem operating at the intersection of grantmaking and policy advocacy.
• International Crisis Group: Global NGO working to prevent wars and shape policy on conflict prevention including nuclear negotiations. Past ACA partner on Iran nuclear negotiations white paper; direct peer in international security and nuclear policy analysis.
• Stimson Center: Washington, DC-based think tank focused on security and international affairs with major programs on nuclear policy, conventional arms control, and emerging technology. A direct peer and active ACA partner (board member Rachel Stohl serves as Stimson VP); collaborates on UN Security Council resolutions and other advocacy campaigns.
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Nonprofit media organization focused on nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies, including the iconic Doomsday Clock. Highly comparable as a specialized arms control/nuclear threat communications organization publishing authoritative analysis for policymakers, media, and the public.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Major foreign policy think tank with programs on nuclear policy, nonproliferation, and international security. ACA's original founding parent organization (1971-1972) and a current major funder via Carnegie Corporation. Direct peer in the arms control and nonproliferation policy space.
• European Leadership Network: Europe-based foreign policy think tank working on arms control, nuclear risks, and emerging technology. Active ACA partner on Firebreaks (AI/nuclear) and Arms Control Tomorrow projects; directly comparable international peer with similar mission and collaborative model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/armscontrolnow
• Facebookfacebook.com/armscontrol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/51061

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arms Control Association