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INDEPENDENT DIPLOMAT INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 113816205 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q05 · International Affairs · Medium ($1M-$10M) · independentdiplomat.org
revenue
$3.5M
expenses
$3.6M
net assets
$983K
employees
12
volunteers
10
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

A NONPROFIT ADVISORY GROUP OF DIPLOMATS, LAWYERS, AND STRATEGISTS, INDEPENDENT DIPLOMAT (ID) HELPS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS USE DIPLOMACY TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS EDUCATED ABOUT THE PRACTICE AND THEORY OF DIPLOMACY. AT ID, WE WORK TO BRING THOSE WITH THE MOST AT STAKE IN A CONFLICT OR A GLOBAL THREAT INTO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. OUR PARTNERS, ALL OF WHOM MEET STRICT ETHICAL CRITERIA, WANT INTERNATIONAL POLICIES TO FAIRLY ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND CONCERNS. WE ADVISE THEM ON POLITICAL STRATEGY, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW TO STRENGTHEN THEIR DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT IN PURSUIT OF THEIR GOALS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Independent Diplomat is a nonprofit advisory group that provides diplomatic support, strategic advice, and training to democratic governments and civil society groups affected by conflict or global threats. It helps marginalized actors engage in international decision-making processes on issues including peacebuilding, climate justice, and refugee rights. The organization works globally with a focus on inclusive diplomacy and strengthening the diplomatic capacity of underrepresented stakeholders.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Meet the Parties
Facilitates discrete engagements between non-state actors and members of the UN Security Council to strengthen multilateral diplomacy.
Ocean Policy
Supports diplomatic engagement on ocean governance and maritime rights for vulnerable coastal and island nations.
Refugee Leadership and Diplomacy
Builds diplomatic capacity among refugee communities and supports their participation in international forums such as the Global Refugee Forum.
Water Diplomacy
Initiative focused on diplomatic strategies around transboundary water issues and climate justice.
Women's Political Participation
Advances women's leadership in peace processes and conflict resolution, including support for the Syrian Women's Political Movement.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 2 activities
    • Advocating for inclusive peace processes and refugee rights
      Supports the inclusion of marginalized groups—particularly women and refugees—in international policy and peace negotiations. This includes facilitating refugee participation in global forums, securing formal consultation rights for refugee leaders, and advising on inclusive governance in Mali and Yemen.
    • Facilitating non-state actor engagement with the UN Security Council
      Operates a confidential forum that enables non-state actors, including Afghan women and refugee leaders, to directly engage with members of the UN Security Council to advocate for human rights and inclusive governance.
  • Conflict and Geopolitical Research Analysis 2 activities
    • Conducting and publishing policy research
      Produces and publishes research reports on democratic deficits, women’s leadership in conflict resolution, the impact of the pandemic on displaced communities, and election integrity, with a focus on Myanmar, Yemen, and the Rohingya crisis.
    • Providing diplomatic advisory services to governments and civil society groups
      Offers independent advice, expertise, and strategic support in diplomacy, political strategy, public diplomacy, and international law to democratic governments, civil society organizations, and marginalized groups to advance justice and diplomatic goals. This includes advising the Republic of the Marshall Islands, South Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, Ukrainian civil society, and other non-state actors in high-level diplomatic forums.
  • Women's Leadership & Peace Network Building 1 activity
    • Building diplomatic capacity through training and resources
      Strengthens the diplomatic capabilities of marginalized groups, women leaders, and civil society actors through training, resources, and sustained support. Activities include empowering Syrian and Venezuelan women’s movements, enhancing refugee leadership, and increasing women’s participation in peace processes in Mali and Yemen.
  • Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
    • Public education on diplomacy and political strategy
      Conducts initiatives to educate the public on the theory and practice of diplomacy, including through published reports and public platforms.
  • Clean Water Infrastructure and Access 1 activity
    • Supporting humanitarian and infrastructure rehabilitation in conflict zones
      Engaged in the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, including the Alouk water station in Hasakah, restoring safe water access for over 800,000 people affected by conflict.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Advising on international diplomacy and state formation
      Provides strategic diplomatic advice during critical political transitions, including supporting Croatia’s EU accession, Moldova’s EU integration, South Sudan’s independence in 2011, and the Southern Transitional Council’s political engagement.
    • Advocating for international response to Russian invasion of Ukraine
      Supports Ukrainian partners in international advocacy efforts to counter Russia’s invasion by shaping diplomatic narratives and limiting Russia’s capacity to wage war through strategic engagement.
    • Conducting ethical oversight of partnerships
      Implements regular ethical reviews of ongoing partnerships and has mechanisms to suspend or terminate relationships that breach ethical criteria.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.54M
Contributions & grants$3.33M94%
Program service revenue$198K6%
Investment income$16K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.57M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$2.72M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.00M
Cash$1.76M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.01M
Net assets$983K
Liquid reserves5.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
REZA AFSHAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $258K
NICK SCOTT MANAGING DIRECTOR 40 $183K
MARLENE SPOERRI DIRECTOR OF INCLUSIVE DIPL 40 $144K
board members · 9
  • ALEXANDER MOCZARSKI — DIRECTOR
  • ARYEH NEIER — DIRECTOR
  • DON BLADASAN — DIRECTOR
  • HILARIE BASS — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES R SILKENAT — DIRECTOR
  • JOSEPH RINALDI — DIRECTOR
  • LARRY D JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • NEAL GRENLEY — CHAIR
  • SCOTT OGUR — TREASURER
relationships · 39

Who they work with

  • African Union Government — Engaged in meetings with the African Union as part of diplomatic support activities.
  • Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) Partner — Partnered with ARDD through the signing of a Code of Cooperation.
  • Arakan Rohingya National Alliance Partner — Provided diplomatic support to the Rohingya community through engagement with the alliance.
  • Arakan Rohingya National Alliance Partner — Supported representatives during advocacy activities in Washington DC.
  • Arakan Rohingya National Alliance Partner — Supported the Arakan Rohingya National Alliance in diplomatic advocacy.
  • CMA (Coordination of Movements of Azawad) Partner — Provided diplomatic support to members during engagement with the European Union.
  • Coalition for the People of Azawad (CMA) Partner — Advised Malian signatory movements to the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement, including members of the CMA.
  • Democratic women's movements in Syria Partner — Helped establish movements uniting political and civil society actors
  • Democratic women's movements in Venezuela Partner — Helped establish movements uniting political and civil society actors
  • Economic Security Council of Ukraine Partner — Partner organization receiving diplomatic training and advocacy strategy support from Independent Diplomat.
  • Economic Security Council of Ukraine Partner — Provided diplomatic support to the Economic Security Council of Ukraine.
  • Front de Libération de l’Azawad Partner — Provided diplomatic support to the Front de Libération de l’Azawad through its predecessor organization.
  • Government of Croatia Partner — Advised during EU accession process
  • Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Partner — Supported the Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in diplomatic processes.
  • Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Partner — Supported the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea with diplomatic engagement.
  • Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations Partner — Provided diplomatic advisory services to the Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the UN.
  • Moldova Partner — Supported in securing deeper EU ties through visa liberalization and trade agreements
  • NGOs Partner — Consulted during due diligence to verify information about prospective partners
  • Oceans 5 Partner — Advised by Independent Diplomat in establishing a network of ocean champions.
  • Pacific Small Island Developing States Partner — Supported by Independent Diplomat in cybersecurity and digital diplomacy processes.
  • Refugee leaders Partner — Partnered to build a global network shaping international refugee policy
  • Republic of the Marshall Islands Partner — Provided diplomatic advisory support during UN Climate Conference negotiations.
  • Republic of the Marshall Islands Partner — Receives advisory support from Independent Diplomat in diplomatic negotiations.
  • South Sudan Partner — Advised ahead of independence in 2011
  • South Yemen's Southern Transitional Council Partner — Advised the President in preparation for a UN Security Council briefing.
  • Southern Transitional Council Partner — Advised on securing an inclusive political process in South Yemen.
  • Southern Transitional Council Partner — Provided diplomatic advisory and support to the Southern Transitional Council for international engagement.
  • Southern Transitional Council Partner — Provided diplomatic assistance to the Southern Transitional Council.
  • Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation Funder — Supports Independent Diplomat's initiative in Myanmar focused on strengthening grassroots human rights capacity and international advocacy.
  • Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation Funder — Supports Independent Diplomat's initiative to strengthen grassroots human rights capacity in Myanmar.
+ 9 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Diplomatic Capacity Building for Marginalized Groups
    methodology: diplomatic_capacity_building
    By building the diplomatic capacity of marginalized groups and democratic governments, we enable them to influence international decision-making processes and achieve lasting peace and justice, because empowered actors with strategic support can effectively engage in high-stakes diplomacy.
  • Expert-Driven, Ethical Diplomatic Advisory
    methodology: expert advisory model
    By leveraging cross-functional expertise from former diplomats, legal experts, and strategists and applying rigorous ethical vetting, we make diplomacy more effective, inclusive, and just, because high-integrity, technically sound advice increases the legitimacy and impact of underrepresented actors in international forums.
  • Independent Diplomatic Inclusion Platform
    methodology: diplomatic-inclusion-platform
    By creating discreet channels for non-state actors to engage directly with powerful international bodies like the UN Security Council, we increase inclusion in multilateral diplomacy, because access to closed forums enables marginalized voices to shape global decisions where traditional diplomacy fails.
  • Partner-Led, Community-Driven Diplomatic Engagement
    methodology: partner-led_model
    By prioritizing partners' self-defined goals and acting as a supporting entity, we advance community-driven solutions through diplomacy, because bottom-up, locally rooted strategies produce more legitimate, sustainable, and effective outcomes in conflict and crisis contexts.
  • Trust-Based, Sustained Partnership Model
    methodology: trust-based partnership model
    By building long-term, trust-based relationships with partner organizations, we enhance the effectiveness of diplomatic engagement, because sustained collaboration enables deeper understanding, adaptive support, and greater strategic alignment over time.