For over 50 years, the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) has served as a leadership network of community-based organizations across the United States that work to develop and strengthen globally competent and engaged communities and citizens.

NCIV member organizations are located in 44 states and over 90 communities in play a significant role in providing educational and culturally rich experiences for U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchange participants. Collectively, NCIV member organizations engage 40,000 volunteers who host 20,000 international leaders and scholars each year from 150 countries.

With leadership and training provided by NCIV, member organizations connect their communities to the world by facilitating and enhancing cooperation between public and private sector leaders in the U.S. and abroad. Notable IVLP Alumni include Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Anwar Sadat, Giscard D'Estaing, Indira Gandhi, Julius Nyerere, Óscar Arias, and F.W. de Klerk. In 2001, Senator Arlen Specter nominated the citizen diplomats that make up the NCIV network for the Nobel Peace Prize.