World Affairs Council Of Orange County

The World Affairs Council of Orange County (WACOC) is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization committed to strengthening our communities'
awareness and engagement with the world beyond our borders. Through
dynamic educational programs WACOC fosters global literacy, highlights
the relevance of international issues on local endeavors, and empowers
the next generation of globally-minded leaders.

Founded in 1967 and incorporated in 1978, the World Affairs Council of
Orange County (WACOC) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a
proud member of the World Affairs Council of America network––the
largest grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to
educating and engaging the public on global issues.

WACOC advances global understanding and civic dialogue in Orange
County through expert-led talks, panel discussions, and youth programs.
Featuring ambassadors, scholars, and journalists, our events—
Lunch &
Learn sessions, YPIN (young professionals and students) mixers, virtual
webinars, and more—create accessible opportunities for our community
to participate in informed conversation on international affairs, fostering a
well informed society. We also provide advice and resources for local
academic institutions, businesses, and organizations on speakers,
diplomatic protocol, and translation and interpretation services.

We believe that connecting people to the world and to each other
strengthens democracy, encourages civil discourse, and bridges divides.
In an era of global complexity and growing polarization, WACOC serves
as a vital bridge between communities, creating thoughtful, inclusive
spaces for informed and meaningful discourse.

Over the past year, the World Affairs Council of Orange County
strengthened its role as a convener for global dialogue and community
engagement. Guided by our mission to strengthen our community’s
awareness of the world beyond our borders and to empower our future
leaders, we expanded our public programming from 34 to 40 events.
These programs created more opportunities for residents to connect with
diplomats, scholars, and global thought leaders on pressing international
issues. We also elevated programming through digitization and speaker
diversification, expanding access and enriching discussions with diverse
perspectives.

Another key milestone was the launch of our Internship-to-Workforce
Mentorship Program, which supported 7 students in developing nonprofit
management and operations skills. The program enhanced
work-readiness by providing real-world experience, professional
mentorship, and pathways to future employment—directly investing in the
next generation of leaders.

Building on these accomplishments, our goals for the current year are
ambitious and mission-driven. We aim to secure funding to expand the
Internship-to-Workforce Mentorship Program into a paid opportunity,
reducing barriers to participation and broadening its impact for students
and young professionals. We will also launch an international awareness
workshop series in high schools across Orange County, designed to
inspire and equip youth to think globally and act locally through guest
speakers and leadership development activities. Finally, we plan to forge
deeper partnerships with local businesses and universities, expanding
both programmatic reach and access to international insights, as well as
diplomatic protocol and language support.

Through these efforts, WACOC will continue to strengthen global
awareness in Orange County, foster dialogue across communities, and
empower the youth who will lead us into a more connected future.

Our organization faces several pressing needs that hinder our ability to expand
impact.
1. First, limited marketing and outreach mean too few community members
are aware of our services, reducing participation and donor engagement.
2. Second, inadequate office space forces us to outsource event
coordination, resulting in recurring off-site rental costs which strain our
budget and limit program delivery.
3. Third, financial constraints cap us at only two full-time staff members,
restricting our ability to hire additional staff for needed support. Fourth,
our current AV software is limited in its scope, with missing audio and
recording functions limiting information accessibility for our past virtual
events.
4. Lastly, our internship program is hindered by reliance on stipends; to
provide equitable access, we need $80,640 to compensate seven interns
at California minimum wage for a 11 month term. Addressing these needs
will strengthen our capacity, sustainability, and reach.

All of Orange County