What Global Citizens Circle does

Global Citizens Circle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Jerry Dunfey and headquartered in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, that convenes intergenerational dialogue programs called "Circles" to advance peace, human rights, and social justice. Its programming brings together a deliberately diverse mix of ordinary citizens, emerging leaders, established activists, and high-profile figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureates, former heads of state, and civil-rights icons (e.g., Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King). The organization organizes its work around six thematic "Action Areas": Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Education and Opportunity, Global Reach and Local Action, Human and Civil Rights, Social Transformation and Justice, and Sustainable Development.

The core product is the Circle program — a structured, in-person dialogue format supplemented by the Emerging Leaders program (a long-term youth mentorship pipeline), Dialogue2Action (a framework that converts dialogue into concrete initiatives), and a calendar of Upcoming Circles events. There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization operates through a Weebly-hosted website (globalcitizenscircle.org), an email newsletter, blog content ("GCC Voices"), and organic social media. Distribution is event-driven and relationship-led, with named partners including Southern New Hampshire University (academic hosting), The Elders (advisory affiliation via Mary Robinson), and Revo Casino and Social House (2026 charitable gaming partnership in New Hampshire).

Revenue mechanics are donation-based and not publicly disclosed. The organization solicits charitable contributions from individuals, families, and corporations via its website and mail, and accepts naming recognition on events as a donor benefit. The 2026 Revo Casino partnership adds a transient, event-window revenue stream tied to New Hampshire's unique charitable gaming regime (35% of gross gaming revenues flow to registered nonprofits). Participation in Circles is free, pricing is not published, and the paid staff is small (four named staff members plus a Youth Ambassador), implying a lean operating budget most likely in the sub-$1M range.

Name

Global Citizens Circle

Legal name

Global Citizens Circle

Website

https://globalcitizenscircle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Citizens Circle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that convenes intergenerational dialogue "Circles" connecting youth, activists, and Nobel laureates to advance peace, human rights, and social justice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intergenerational Dialogue Programs

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)

Keywords

• Intergenerational dialogue
• Peacebuilding programs
• Conflict resolution services
• Global citizenship education
• Social justice advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Global Citizens Circle relies on charitable donations from individuals, families, and corporations. Donors can contribute via the website or by mailing checks to the Cape Elizabeth office. The organization explicitly invites family or company names to be listed on events and communications as a donor benefit.
2. Charitable Gaming Partnership: Partnership with Revo Casino and Social House in Manchester, New Hampshire, leveraging New Hampshire's unique charitable gaming model where 35% of gross gaming revenues flow to registered nonprofits. This partnership runs from May 31 through June 9, 2026.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Global Citizens Circle facilitates intergenerational dialogue programs (called "Circles") that bring together diverse participants—including world leaders, activists, youth, and ordinary citizens—to foster trust through open communication and advance peace and social justice initiatives. Supporting programs include the Emerging Leaders initiative for young people and Dialogue2Action, which translates dialogue outcomes into sustainable action across six thematic Action Areas.

Product overview

Global Citizens Circle operates as a unified nonprofit platform offering intergenerational dialogue programs centered around peace-building and social justice. The core offering is the Circle program—a structured dialogue format that unites diverse participants across generations, backgrounds, and perspectives. Supporting programs include the Emerging Leaders initiative (which invests in young people's leadership development through sustained mentorship relationships) and Dialogue2Action (which translates dialogue outcomes into concrete initiatives). These programs are organized under six thematic Action Areas: Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Education and Opportunity, Global Reach and Local Action, Human and Civil Rights, Social Transformation and Justice, and Sustainable Development. The organization functions as a single, integrated service model rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circles (Intergenerational Dialogue Programs) Structured intergenerational dialogue events that unite people of all ages, backgrounds, races, and genders to foster trust through open communication and advance peace and social justice initiatives across action areas including Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development.
• Emerging Leaders Program Mentorship and leadership development program that invests in long-term relationships with young people, supporting their growth so they create positive ripple effects in families, schools, and communities. Includes designation of Youth Ambassadors such as Stanley Asango.
• Dialogue2Action Framework and program that bridges dialogue outcomes into tangible, sustainable actions for change across the six Action Areas (Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation; Education and Opportunity; Global Reach and Local Action; Human and Civil Rights; Social Transformation and Justice; Sustainable Development).

Quantifiable outcome

• Established presence across multiple continents including circles held in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Greece, Cuba, and the US
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Revo Casino and Social HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 May 2026Partnership with Revo Casino in Manchester, New Hampshire, running May 31 through June 9, 2026. Leverages New Hampshire's unique charitable gaming model requiring 35% of gross gaming revenues to flow to registered nonprofits. Funds raised support GCC's work with emerging leaders across New Hampshire. Revo Casino President Aaron Gomes noted the partnership aligns with NH's legacy of innovation and the American Revolution.
• Southern New Hampshire UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNHU serves as a key academic partner, hosting circles and discussions including the 'Walking the Talk' Discussion in 2018. SNHU President of University Campus Patty Lynott participated in the 'Toward a Greener Attica' symposium. The organization's leadership includes faculty from SNHU, and blog content is produced by SNHU adjuncts.
• The EldersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Citizens Circle is connected to The Elders organization founded by Nelson Mandela, with Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and The Elders co-chair) serving as Honorary Global Advisory Co-Chair. Andrew Young also serves in this capacity.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Elders: Founded by Nelson Mandela and chaired by Mary Robinson — also an Honorary Global Advisory Co-Chair of GCC — The Elders convenes elder statesmen and Nobel laureates to address global peace and justice issues, directly overlapping GCC's circle-of-leaders model.
• International Alert: A leading international peacebuilding organization that uses dialogue and policy engagement to resolve conflict, mirroring GCC's Circles and Dialogue2Action programmatic approach.
• Search for Common Ground: The world's largest dedicated peacebuilding NGO, running dialogue and conflict-resolution programs globally; competes with GCC for the same peace-and-reconciliation funder and participant pool.
• Global Peace Foundation: Runs intergenerational and youth leadership programs tied to peacebuilding and civic engagement, directly comparable to GCC's Emerging Leaders initiative.
• Peace Direct: An NGO that supports local peacebuilders and convenes cross-border dialogue initiatives, directly comparable to GCC's model of bringing together diverse actors for sustainable peace action.

Emerging players

• Ashoka: A global network supporting social entrepreneurs and changemakers — overlapping with GCC's emerging-leader development and civic-engagement themes, though Ashoka's primary focus is entrepreneurship rather than dialogue.

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: A large civic-engagement nonprofit convening volunteers and social-impact leaders; overlaps GCC's community-mobilization mission at significantly larger scale.
• The Carter Center: Founded by a Nobel laureate and former president, it operates conflict-resolution, democracy, and global health programs with an elder-statesman-led convening model that parallels GCC's approach at much larger scale.
• United States Institute of Peace: A federally funded institution running dialogue, training, and conflict-prevention programs globally; overlaps GCC's peace-and-reconciliation thematic area and competes for institutional donor attention.
• International Peace Institute: Think-and-do tank producing policy analysis and convening diplomats and experts on peace and security — comparable to GCC's elder-statesman convening model at the global governance level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-citizens-circle

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Global Citizens Circle