What Tulsa Global Alliance does

Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that serves as the official international arm of the City of Tulsa. The organization manages nine formal sister city partnerships with Amiens (France), Beihai (China), Celle (Germany), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Mwanza (Tanzania), San Luis Potosí (Mexico), Tiberias (Israel), Utsunomiya (Japan), and Zelenograd (Russia), facilitating person-to-person citizen diplomacy, student and professional exchanges, and cultural programming. TGA operates without proprietary technology; its "product" is programmatic coordination of these relationships, delivered through a network of volunteer host families, dedicated Partnership Chairs for each sister city, and institutional partners including Tulsa Public Schools, the University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College, and major cultural venues such as Gathering Place, Circle Cinema, and the Museum of Tulsa History.

The organization runs four core program lines — Sister City Partnerships, Professional Exchanges (including the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program and the Congressional Office for International Leadership's Open World Program), Global Education (World in a Box Day, classroom presentations, study abroad), and Business Development (international trade and FDI facilitation) — supported by a recurring event portfolio including the Sister City Film Series, Global Gatherings, Toast the Travelers receptions, and the annual Global Vision Gala. In 2024, TGA facilitated programming for approximately 300 international professionals and students representing 56 countries and engaged over 1,100 students and family members through World in a Box Day.

Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations; annual fundraising events including the Global Vision Gala and shop/search/eat/play giving programs; and program-support fees tied to federal exchange programs. The organization is led by Executive Director Micah Keyan and governed by a board chaired by Ruby Libertus, with no parent company, no institutional investors, and no disclosed venture funding — consistent with its status as a private, donation-supported 501(c)(3) charitable entity (EIN 73-1017401).

Name

Tulsa Global Alliance

Legal name

Tulsa Global Alliance, Inc

Website

https://tulsaglobalalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tulsa Global Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that serves as the City of Tulsa's international arm, managing nine sister city partnerships and facilitating professional exchanges, student programs, and cultural events connecting Tulsa to Amiens, Beihai, Celle, Kaohsiung, Mwanza, San Luis Potosí, Tiberias, Utsunomiya, and Zelenograd.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TGA relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its sister city partnerships, exchange programs, and global education initiatives.
2. Special Events Revenue: Annual fundraising events including the Global Vision Gala and shop/search/eat/play giving programs generate revenue for programming.
3. Professional Exchanges Program: TGA facilitates programming for visiting international professionals through U.S. Department of State IVLP and Congressional Office for International Leadership programs, generating program support revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tulsa Global Alliance manages nine sister city partnerships for the City of Tulsa and operates professional exchange programs including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and Open World. The organization provides global education initiatives, international business development support, and home hospitality hosting for visiting international professionals and students through volunteer host families.

Product overview

Tulsa Global Alliance is an award-winning nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) founded in 1976 that serves as the international arm of the City of Tulsa. The organization operates as a single unified nonprofit focused on building global community through citizen diplomacy. Its core programming consists of managing nine Sister City partnerships, hosting international professionals and students through professional exchanges, supporting global education initiatives, and promoting international business development. The main programs include Sister City Partnerships, Professional Exchanges (IVLP), Global Education programs, Business Development services, and event-based programming such as the Sister City Film Series, Global Gatherings cultural events, World in a Box Day, and Toast the Travelers networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sister City Partnerships Formal long-term municipal partnerships connecting Tulsa with nine sister cities worldwide, facilitating reciprocal cultural, educational, and citizen diplomacy exchanges.
• Professional Exchange Programs (IVLP and Open World) Hosted professional exchange programs for international visitors sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and Open World, coordinated through vetted host families and local professional counterparts.
• Hosting & Home Hospitality Program Volunteer-driven program that places international exchange visitors with vetted Tulsa host families for cultural immersion experiences during their stay.
• Global Education Programs Educational programming for K-12 students and schools in the Tulsa area delivering global awareness, cultural learning, and sister city connections in classroom and community settings.
• International Business Development Support services connecting Tulsa-area businesses and civic leaders to international counterparts through the sister city network for trade, partnerships, and commercial engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 300 international professionals and students served annually representing 56 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Mwanza, TanzaniaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Tulsa's newest and first African Sister City, established in 2024. Builds on ties through local nonprofit Mainsprings. Partnership Chair: Gretchen Mudoga. Honorary Ambassador: Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper.
• Amiens, FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200520-year partnership with Amiens in Picardy region. Includes student/teacher exchanges, French film nights, and collaboration with Alliance Française de Tulsa. 40 students from Amiens and 22 from Tulsa have participated in exchanges. Partnership Chair: Julien Feral.
• Celle, GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Partnership since 2000 with Celle in Lower Saxony. Features long-running student exchanges with Riverfield Country Day School and firefighter exchanges lasting over 20 years. 25th anniversary celebrated in 2025. Partnership Chair: Sandy Dizdar.
• Zelenograd, RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Partnership since 1992 with Zelenograd (Moscow region). Includes student exchanges, university partnerships, cultural programming, and medical/dental exchanges. Partnership Chair: Garrett Gibson.
• Beihai, ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Partnership since 1987 with coastal city in Guangxi Province. Supports Global Gatherings, Asian World Experience, school programs, art exhibitions, and Chinese cultural activities. Partnership Chair: Shiqing Huang.
• San Luis Potosí, MexicoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Tulsa's first Sister City partnership, established in 1980. Supports student exchanges, educational collaboration, civic cooperation including firefighter training, and cultural festivals. San Luis Potosí gifted the Caja de Agua replica now installed at Tulsa Botanic Garden. Partnership Chair: Clark Frayser.
• Kaohsiung, TaiwanflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980Sister City partnership since 1980 with Taiwan's second largest city (1.5 million population). Supports community festivals, Lunar New Year celebrations, cultural performances, and business connections with Taiwan companies. Partnership Chair: Rex Burnett.
• Tiberias, IsraelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister City partnership with Tiberias, Israel. Partnership details and chair information not specified in available source material.
• Utsunomiya, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 30-year partnership with Utsunomiya. Features student exchanges, tea ceremonies, film screenings, cultural programming with Gathering Place and Philbrook Museum. Partnership Chair: Phil Sharp.
• U.S. Department of State (IVLP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTGA facilitates programming for International Visitor Leadership Program participants bringing nearly 300 international professionals to Tulsa annually representing 56 countries.
• Congressional Office of International LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen World Program bringing international visitors including librarians, prosecutors, and emerging leaders for professional exchanges in Tulsa.
• Circle CinemacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Sister City Film Series screenings featuring films from sister city countries, including Amélie, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Roma, and Spirited Away.
• Tulsa Botanic GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of Caja de Agua gift from San Luis Potosí; hosts partnership events and ribbon cutting ceremonies.
• Gathering PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Global Gatherings cultural celebrations featuring Japanese culture and other sister city programming.
• Alliance Française de TulsacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for French cultural programs, film nights, and French language education supporting Amiens sister city partnership.
• German American Society of Tulsa (GAST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Germanfest celebration, German Unity Day events, and holiday celebrations supporting Celle sister city partnership.
• Marshall Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for Toast the Travelers events welcoming international visitors; released Sister City Cerveza honoring San Luis Potosí.
• Riverfield Country Day SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for student exchanges with Celle, Germany (25 years). Riverfield students and teachers participate in reciprocal visits.
• T.D. WilliamsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted international energy professionals for plant tours and training on pipeline technology as part of U.S. State Department exchange program.
• MainspringsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit that connected Tulsa to Mwanza, Tanzania and facilitated the establishment of Tulsa's newest sister city partnership.
• Sister Cities InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization supporting sister city programs worldwide; TGA maintains active membership.
• Global Ties U.S.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network supporting international exchange programs; TGA maintains membership and participates in network initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tulsaglobalalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tulsaglobalalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Tulsa Global Alliance