San Diego Diplomacy Council

What San Diego Diplomacy Council does

San Diego Diplomacy Council (SDDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 and headquartered in San Diego, California. It is one of approximately 80 organizations designated by the U.S. Department of State to deliver the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), and it hosts 450+ international exchange visitors annually, coordinating 25,358 professional meetings between visitors and San Diego counterparts. Its program portfolio spans IVLP, custom-designed international programs, youth initiatives (Binational Youth Summit, Global Youth Collaborative, Global Leadership Youth Program), federally sponsored fellowships (YLAI, YSEALI, Mandela Washington Fellowship), and outbound citizen diplomacy excursions to destinations including Uzbekistan, Panama, Colombia, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and Kuwait. The Council operates a small staff of 8-15 people and works through an institutional partner ecosystem that includes SDSU, USD, UCSD, Southwestern College, CETYS Universidad, Global Ties U.S. and IREX.

The Council's business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack. Federal grants from the U.S. Department of State (via IVLP and fellowship mechanisms) form the primary revenue stream and underwrite the majority of inbound exchange programming. Corporate memberships and event sponsorships from a roster including Sempra, BD, Qualcomm and the San Diego Zoo, individual donations in the $1,000-$24,999 range, custom program fees, and travel program fees from outbound excursions round out the mix. Recent strategic activity includes a 2026 dual leadership transition (Daniel Gardenswartz appointed Board President, Suela Bala appointed Executive Director), programmatic expansion of the Binational Youth Summit to 350 students in 2026, and the introduction of paid training offerings such as Negotiation Skills Workshops and Diplomacy Simulation Summits. The Council does not operate a technology platform; its "product" is human-mediated professional exchange, and there is no evidence of proprietary software, data assets, or AI/ML capabilities in the source material.

Name

San Diego Diplomacy Council

Legal name

San Diego Diplomacy Council

Website

https://sandiegodiplomacy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The San Diego Diplomacy Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designated by the U.S. Department of State to deliver the International Visitor Leadership Program, hosting 450+ international exchange visitors annually, coordinating 25,358 professional meetings with San Diego counterparts, and running youth, fellowship, and citizen diplomacy programs funded by federal grants, corporate sponsors, and donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Exchange and Citizen Diplomacy Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAIAE

Public Diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy & Strategic Communications

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Foreign Affairs & Diplomatic Services

SECONDARYEDAIABAK

Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/University/College Exchange Programs & Partnerships

Keywords

• International exchange programs
• Citizen diplomacy services
• Professional fellowship hosting
• Binational youth education
• Cultural exchange tours

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. U.S. Department of State Funding: Primary funding through designated federal program delivery for IVLP and related exchange programs. SDDC is one of over 80 nationwide organizations designated by U.S. Department of State to deliver exchange programs.
2. Corporate Memberships: Two-tier corporate partnership program: Diplomat level ($1,000-$4,999 annually) and Ambassador level ($5,000+ annually) with benefits including delegate networking, event passes, and sponsorship recognition.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission. Includes one-time gifts, recurring pledges, stock donations, IRA rollovers (QCDs), and planned giving through wills/trusts.
4. Custom Program Fees: Fees for custom professional exchange programs based on level of service, number of international guests, and length of program. Partner with private companies, government offices, and nonprofits.
5. Citizen Diplomacy Travel Programs: Fees for organized study tours and excursions (e.g., Uzbekistan 2026, Panama 2024, Colombia 2022). Pricing varies by trip duration and accommodation level.
6. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages for annual events including Diplomacy Champion ($5,000), Impact Sponsor ($3,000), and Connection Catalyst ($2,000) tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The San Diego Diplomacy Council is a nonprofit organization that coordinates international professional exchange programs, hosting over 450 international exchange visitors annually and connecting them with local San Diego counterparts. It delivers the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), custom professional exchange programs for partner organizations, youth diplomacy education programs, and citizen diplomacy travel excursions to international destinations.

Product overview

The San Diego Diplomacy Council operates a portfolio of international exchange and youth development programs rather than a traditional technology product. The core offerings include the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) hosting over 450 exchange visitors annually, Custom Programs & Services for partner organizations, and Citizen Diplomacy Excursions for member travel. The youth programming portfolio spans the Binational Youth Summit, Global Youth Collaborative, Global Leadership Youth Program (GLYP), Diplomacy Simulation Summits, and Negotiation Skills Workshops. Fellowship programs include YLAI, YSEALI, PFP, YTILI, RBL, UBL, Mandela Washington Fellowship, and Fulbright Enrichment Seminars. The organization also offers individual and corporate membership tiers for community engagement. No technology product, API, or AI capabilities are documented.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program that expands mutual understanding between Americans and individuals from other nations through short-term visits for current and emerging foreign leaders.
• Global Leadership Youth Program (GLYP)
• Global Youth Collaborative
• Binational Youth Summit
• Citizen Diplomacy Excursions

Products and services

• International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) The U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program bringing over 450 international emerging and current foreign leaders to San Diego annually for short-term visits to build mutual understanding with American counterparts.
• Custom Programs & Services Customized professional international exchange opportunities created in partnership with private companies, government offices, and nonprofit organizations, including conferences, training programs, fellowships, and professional meetings.
• Binational Youth Summit Annual one-day summit convening 350 high school students and educators from San Diego and Tijuana to explore international affairs, diplomacy, and binational relationships through sessions and diplomacy simulations.
• Global Youth Collaborative Year-round program for globally-minded teens (ages 14-18) providing immersive leadership experience with engagement throughout the school year, complementing summer programs through four core sessions and student-led activities.
• Global Leadership Youth Program (GLYP) Summer classroom program for high school students focused on developing global leadership skills and understanding of international affairs.
• Negotiation Skills Workshops Workshop series teaching high school students negotiation techniques through simulations, games, and strategies, delivered in partnership with PATHWAYS Institute for Negotiation Education and La Jolla Country Day School.
• Citizen Diplomacy Excursions Organized citizen diplomacy study tours to international destinations for members, including trips to Uzbekistan, Panama, Colombia, Cuba, Vietnam, and Laos.
• Mandela Washington Fellowship Program Program hosting 25 social entrepreneurs from Sub-Saharan Africa for a 6-week training program in collaboration with the University of San Diego Institute for Peace and Justice.
• Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) U.S. Department of State program hosting international entrepreneurs for fellowships, with SDDC serving as local host for month-long mentorship and fieldwork placements across the Western Hemisphere.
• Fulbright Enrichment Seminars Programs hosting international postdoctoral Fulbright scholars and faculty for enrichment seminars and conferences.
• Individual Membership Membership option for individuals providing opportunities to host dinners for visiting leaders, attend talks and presentations, and travel with the organization to different countries.
• Corporate Membership Two-tiered corporate partnership program (Diplomat $1,000-$4,999 and Ambassador $5,000+ annually) offering networking opportunities with visiting dignitaries, recognition benefits, and event access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 672 international emerging leaders from 145 countries connected to San Diego in past year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• U.S. Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding and program partner designating SDDC as one of 80+ nationwide organizations to deliver IVLP and professional exchange programs. Provides federal grant funding and programmatic oversight for international visitor leadership programs.
• Global Ties U.S.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit partner of the U.S. Department of State. SDDC serves as the region's premier IVLP coordinator and top member-based organization hosting participants.
• City of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner supported in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds. Collaborates on international affairs initiatives.
• County of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner providing support for regional international exchange and diplomacy programs.
• IREXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research and exchanges board that administers the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) nationally. SDDC serves as local host organization for YLAI fellows in San Diego.
• American Councils for International EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for international education and exchange initiatives.
• World LearningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner that previously administered IVLP components. SDDC staff have experience working with World Learning on IVLP programs.
• QualcommmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support for SDDC's citizen diplomacy mission and international exchange programs.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving protocol and cultural briefings from SDDC. Collaborates on wildlife diplomacy initiatives.
• Wendy Gillespie Center for Advancing Global Business (SDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner at San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business. Provides programming for YLAI fellows and collaborates on global business education initiatives.
• La Jolla Country Day SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting youth programs including Negotiation Skills Workshops and Global Youth Collaborative activities.
• University of San DiegomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner collaborating on international relations programs and hosting international fellows.
• UC San DiegomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner through Global Initiatives, collaborating on international affairs programming and hosting visiting delegations.
• Southwestern CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting the annual Binational Youth Summit at their campus, convening hundreds of students from San Diego and Tijuana.
• CETYS UniversidadmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in Mexico facilitating binational exchange and cross-border collaboration programs.
• Cross Border Xpress (CBX)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Binational Youth Summit, supporting cross-border initiatives between San Diego and Tijuana.
• San Diego Kiwanis Club FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Binational Youth Summit supporting youth leadership development programs.
• Kid Spark EducationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Binational Youth Summit focused on STEM education access.
• Fowler College of Business (SDSU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional development programming for YLAI fellows including networking sessions and American business culture training through the Wendy Gillespie Center.
• Glazer Center for Leadership & Service (SDSU)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads Leadership Development Workshop for YLAI fellows focused on capacity building and business management.
• FHI 360majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for international development and exchange initiatives.
• Cultural VistasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for cultural and professional exchange programs.
• CRDF GlobalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for international exchange and development programming.
• International Institute of Education (IIE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner for international education and exchange initiatives.
• WorldChicagosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner in Global Ties network for IVLP coordination.
• LAPA (LOYAC Academy of Performing Arts)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKuwait-based partner that co-hosted the Modern Heritage Festival where Crew Percussion performed during citizen diplomacy trip to Kuwait.
• AdvantoursupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel company partner implementing Uzbekistan citizen diplomacy excursion in partnership with SDDC.
• CLE AbroadsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel company partner implementing Panama citizen diplomacy excursion in partnership with SDDC.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sister Cities International: Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy organization that builds U.S.-international city partnerships, comparable to SDDC's role in facilitating San Diego-Tijuana and broader international relationships.
• Cultural Vistas: Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization that administers international professional fellowship and exchange programs; it is a listed SDDC program partner and operates a comparable model in international professional exchange.
• American Councils for International Education: American Councils is an international education nonprofit that designs and administers exchange and professional programs, including State Department-funded initiatives; it is a listed SDDC partner and operates a comparable exchange-focused model.
• Meridian International Center: Meridian International Center is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit diplomacy and exchange center that hosts international leaders, delivers State Department exchange programming, and convenes public-private dialogue — directly comparable to SDDC's citizen diplomacy mission.
• WorldChicago: WorldChicago is a Chicago-based nonprofit that serves as a Global Ties U.S.-designated IVLP coordinator, very similarly positioned to SDDC as a citizen diplomacy council hosting international professional exchange visitors for the U.S. Department of State.

Broad incumbents

• FHI 360: FHI 360 is an international development nonprofit that administers exchange and capacity-building programs worldwide; it is a listed SDDC partner and competes for similar State Department-funded programming.
• Global Ties U.S. Global Ties U.S. is the national nonprofit network of which SDDC is a top member organization; it coordinates the broader U.S. citizen diplomacy ecosystem and provides programmatic infrastructure for IVLP delivery nationwide.
• Institute of International Education (IIE): IIE is one of the largest U.S. international education and exchange organizations, administering Fulbright and many State Department programs; it is a listed SDDC partner and operates the broader ecosystem in which SDDC delivers localized programs.
• World Affairs Councils of America: World Affairs Councils of America is a national network of nonprofit councils that educate communities on international affairs; SDDC performs a similar civic-facing international affairs function within this broader U.S. ecosystem.

Emerging players

• CRDF Global: CRDF Global is a nonprofit that supports international scientific and professional exchange programs, with partial overlap to SDDC's fellowship hosting work; it is a listed SDDC program partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Citizen-Diplomacy-Council-of-San-Diego/6012559518
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citizen-diplomacy-council-of-san-diego
• Instagraminstagram.com/sd_diplomacy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about San Diego Diplomacy Council