GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is UNA-USA?
The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. UNA-USA works to accomplish its mission through a network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education, and public events.
Is UNA-USA part of the United Nations?
While we support the vital work of the United Nations, UNA-USA is not part of the UN or the UN system. We are a campaign of the United Nations Foundation.
How can I start a chapter if there is not one in my area?
First, you must become a UNA-USA member before you can begin the process of starting a new chapter. Visit our Start a Chapter page to learn more about the requirements and process.
What is an affinity group?
UNA-USA offers affinity groups for members to focus on specific issues through the lens of UNA-USA. You can select an affinity group when joining or renewing your membership or via the affinity group’s webpage. For more information on the affinity groups, please visit http://unausa.org/membership. UNA-USA offers the following:
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
What are the benefits of UNA-USA membership?
The benefits of UNA-USA membership include:
- A forum to voice your support for U.S. engagement at the UN, with a current focus in making the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a success
- A network of more than 180 UNA-USA chapters and divisions throughout the country comprised of people passionate about the mission of the United Nations
- The opportunity to participate in educational and advocacy events, as well as to meet with elected leaders to increase knowledge of how the UN makes the world a safer place and improves the lives of people everywhere. Key annual events include the Annual Leadership Summit and Members Day at the UN
- Monthly nationwide conference calls with UN Experts on Issues such as Global Health, Empowering Women and Girls, and Sustainable Development
- Engagement with UN Foundation Campaigns for global health, adolescent girls, the environment, and more
- Access to rewards of United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) membership
What do I need to do to sign up for UNFCU?
Please provide a copy of your latest membership payment confirmation e-mail to your UNFCU representative.
Learn more about the UNA-USA benefits with UNFCU.
What events do you offer your members?
UNA local community and campus chapters have events throughout the year across the country. The two main nationwide events hosted each year by the UNA-USA National Office are Global Engagement Summit at the UN in February and the Leadership Summit in June.
BECOMING A MEMBER
Can I join UNA-USA if I live abroad?
UNA-USA membership is for people who are committed to advocating to U.S. congressional representatives and officials regarding the importance of the United States’ involvement in the United Nations. UNA-USA members must be U.S. residents or citizens with a United States address.
I would like to join UNA-USA, but which membership level is right for me?
UNA membership is offered at the following levels:
- $1,000 Lifetime Member: For your immense support for UNA-USA in advocating for the UN, you’ll never have to renew and will always have the perks of being a UNA-USA member and more.
- $500 Gold Member: Go for gold in supporting the UN! As thanks for your generous contribution, you can gain access to exclusive programs, priority seating at UNA-USA signature events, and more!
- $250 Silver Member: Take your membership to the next level with an additional $200 donation. You’ll be listed in the Annual Report and get reserved seating at marquee events.
- $100 Bronze Member: Go above and beyond in supporting the UN. Your donation allows us to host more events and build more connections that help you and other members stand up for the UN.
- $50 Standard Member: The standard membership makes up the backbone of our movement. Gain access to all of our events, opportunities, and networking.
- $25 Young Professional: Members ages 18 to 30 may choose this membership to unlock benefits related to advancing their career and professional portfolio. Learn more.
- $25 Fixed Income: If you would like consideration for a reduced annual membership fee due to fixed or limited income, please email membership@unausa.org.
- FREE: GenUN is our national network of changemakers ages 14–17 who care about global issues, diplomacy, and the future of the planet. As a GenUN member, you’ll gain access to incredible benefits that help you grow as a leader, connect with others, and take action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Partner Affiliate: If you are affiliated with a UNA-USA Partner, such as UNFCU and Education First, you may be eligible for a special UNA-USA membership. Click here to complete the Partner Member Form.
- Multiple Membership Form: For use by chapter leaders wishing to register multiple members or those wanting to gift a membership to someone else. This form allows the billing address of the credit card to be different from the member’s street address. See Multiple Membership Form here.
What is GenUN?
GenUN is our membership tier for youth aged 14–17, focused on high school students passionate about global issues. GenUN members can participate in UNA-USA events, start or join high school chapters, and grow their leadership skills through civic engagement.
Is UNA-USA membership still free for students and youth under 25?
As of 2025, UNA-USA no longer offers free membership for youth. Instead, we now offer a $25 annual membership for two youth categories:
• GenUN (ages 14–17)
• Young Professionals (ages 18–30)
Both groups receive full UNA-USA membership benefits, including access to national events, leadership opportunities, and advocacy resources.
What is the Young Professionals (YP) Network?
The UNA-USA Young Professionals Network is for members aged 18–30. It offers networking events, advocacy opportunities, skill-building workshops, and leadership roles tailored for recent graduates and early-career professionals.
How can I pay for my UNA-USA membership?
You can pay for UNA-USA Membership by signing up online.
If paying for membership by cash or check, please mail it along with the membership form to:
United Nations Association of the USA
P.O. Box 28134
Washington, D.C. 20038
When does membership expire?
For free youth members, membership expires once you turn 26. After that time, you must renew as a paid member. Otherwise, membership expires the next year at the end of the quarter in which it was last obtained/renewed (e.g. Membership starting on April 10, 2017 will expire on June 20, 2018).
Can I set up an automatic renewal?
Our membership forms now allow for automatic renewals. If you chose this option, you will be charged on the same date each year.
Can I join if there is not a chapter by me?
Yes! Members who have no local chapter, or wish not to be affiliated with one, can indicate “Member-at-Large” when they join. You will still receive all the information sent to other members from the national office.
Can I be a member of more than one chapter?
Only students who also have free youth membership can be part of more than one chapter – one campus chapter and one community chapter. Paid members can only be part of one chapter.
Can my organization get membership?
There is only individual membership. Our suggestion would be to identify one person in your organization to have UNA-USA membership so that you can be keep in the loop about what UNA-USA is doing nationally and locally!
MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
The website is not accepting my payment, what can I do?
Our website is designed to have security measures in place to prevent fraud. Transactions can be declined for a number of reasons, the reason your card was rejected will be highlighted in red. If your transaction fails, there will be a hold charge placed on your account. This charge should disappear in 5-10 business days. If you run into an issue with your credit card, please contact membership@unausa.org.
I did not get a confirmation e-mail after registering as a member, what should I do?
If you registered or renewed online, you should receive an e-mail receipt to the e-mail that you provided upon registration. The e-mail is the only confirmation sent to a member.
If you registered or renewed by sending a check, please wait 6-8 weeks for the check to be processed.
My credit card has been charged multiple times, what should I do?
Please avoid clicking the submission button multiple times as it can lead to multiple submissions. If your transaction fails there will be a hold charge placed on your account. This charge should disappear in 5-10 business days. If your hold charges do not disappear after this time please e-mail membership@unausa.org. Please note, we cannot refund hold charges as those are funds that have been rejected by our payment system and thus not received by UNA-USA. We can only refund charges received by UNA-USA.
I received a renewal notice, but I have already renewed. What should does this mean?
You may have received this notice if you renewed your membership after our mailing list was generated, or you may have signed up in the past under a different email or address, creating a separate account. If you are concerned that we did not receive your renewal or wish to check if we have multiple accounts for you, please email membership@unausa.org.