World Affairs Council
Raising the global IQ of the Puget Sound region.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The World Affairs Council advances global understanding and engagement throughout the Puget Sound region. The Council’s programs are powerful tools for building an engaged, inspired, and connected global citizenry in greater Seattle. The Council truly brings the world to Seattle and helps inform local debates about global issues.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Community Programs
The Council’s events are discussions rather than lectures, enabling attendees to engage directly with the speakers and each other. Events include panel discussions, town-hall meetings, discussion groups, trivia nights, and networking events as well as high-level receptions and private gatherings. No matter the size of the program, participants at every event are able to address their specific interests in a meaningful conversation through moderated Q&A, because a global city like Seattle needs well-informed global citizens.
Global Classroom
Addresses the need for greater international context and content in the K-12 curriculum by providing curricular resources, professional development programs for teachers, and leadership activities for high school students.
International Visitors Program (IVP)
Manages logistics, program development, and trainings for international youth and professionals visiting the region under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State and other recognized exchange programs.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of participants in study abroad and exchange programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
International Visitors Program (IVP)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of international visitors, including professional fellows and youth exchange participants.
Number of individuals applying skills learned through the organization's training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Global Classroom
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of teachers implementing a global curriculum in their classroom thanks to professional development training through Global Classroom.
Hours of volunteer service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
International Visitors Program (IVP)
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
935 local volunteers donated 24,000 hours of time to host and interact with international visitors.
Number of training events conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Global Classroom
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of professional development training sessions available to local teachers in Washington state to inspire a global curriculum.
Number of individuals attending community events or trainings
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Attendees at community programs and global classroom events.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The World Affairs Council advances global understanding and engagement throughout the Puget Sound region. The Council’s programs are powerful tools for building an engaged, inspired, and connected global citizenry in greater Seattle. The Council truly brings the world to Seattle and helps inform local debates about global issues.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The World Affairs Council was founded in 1951 with the goal of advancing global understanding and engagement throughout greater Seattle. We envision a community that is connected, actively engaged, and inspired to create change in the world. The Council has long dedicated itself to fostering dialogue and debate about critical global issues. This is achieved through public events, Global Classroom programming for K-12 educators and students, and diplomacy initiatives that engage international delegations with our community. It is a fundamental formula that works well but is highly adaptable, allowing the Council to reach a large cross-section of Seattle with a wide range of topics. Our platform connects civic, academic, corporate, and individual members around world issues. We are part of a vibrant global city; our goal is to ensure that Seattle is visible, engaged, and globally aware.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Council has many executive and asset advantages upon which to base its future programming:
1. Executive advantages
• Agile and responsive to program opportunities
• Professional implementation of events
2. Asset advantages
• Three dynamic, cross-functional initiatives in one space (GLX, GC, CP)
• Four well-established professional development programs: internship program, YPIN, Fellows, and Global Classroom’s professional development for teachers
• Relationships with funding organizations and opportunities
• Connections to large number of people that care about World Affairs – via mailing list, YPIN, board, etc.
• Longstanding position in city and nation
• Part of national networks (WACA, Global Ties)
• Ability within mission to focus on wide range of issues/audiences.
Funding sources
Membership (individual and corporate)
Annual Fund
Endowment and Bank Account interest
Event Sponsorship
Event Gate
Fees for Service
Federal Government
Earned income
Corporate and Foundation Grants
Contributions in Kind
Known Bequests
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We annually hold more than 100 community events and host more than 800 international visitors as they travel through Seattle on professional exchanges. In addition, over the past year, we have impacted almost 30,000 students in Washington state through the professional development training given to local teachers, alongside our young professional and fellows programs.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
World Affairs Council
Board of directorsas of 09/19/2023
Thomas Lombardo
Baird
Kristi Branch
Aaron Brown
No Affiliation
Mark Kammerer
Robert Kettle
Jean-David Larson
Russell Investments
Christopher NeVan
BAJ Capital, LLC
Elizabeth Scallon
CoMotion Incubator
Jennifer Spatz
Global Family Travles
Thao Hong
Hornall Anderson
Roger Meece
Jean-David Larson
John Comerford
President, U.S. Retirement Corporation
Kate Behncken
Microsoft
Jerrol Golden
Holland America Line
Todd Hinnen
Perkins Coie
Marwan Kashkoush
Reinventus LLC
Tom Lombardo
Baird
Fraser Mendel
Mendel Owens PS
Gillian Muessig
Sybillia Masters Fund
Sheila Remes
The Boeing Company
Elizabeth Scallon
WeWork Labs
Brian Screnar
New Profit
Haresh Ved
TiE Angels
Joella Werlin
Leslie Womack
Mayflower Park Hotel
Alexis Chouery
F5 Networks
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes