Opportunities for You to Help AMUN!

The volunteer staff and board of American Model United Nations, Inc. (AMUN) provide a wide range of exceptional educational opportunities and resources to anyone interested in the United Nations, but we need your help! One of AMUN's goals is to provide all of our simulations and materials at the lowest possible cost, thus allowing the broadest range participants. We hope that no student loses a learning opportunity because of lack of funds. 

Even with this philosophy, participant fees still comprise the majority of our operating revenues. These are supplemented by a variety of donations. Funds for AMUN are raised in the following ways:

1. Participant Fees: group and individual fees are charged for participation in AMUN sponsored events. These fees are intended to cover the basic operating expenses of the simulation in which an individual participates, but full costs are often supplemented from other areas. As an example, all AMUN staff members at simulations are unpaid volunteers, who often absorb their own travel and food expenses to take part as a staff member at the event.
2. In-Kind donations: in-kind donations are a continuing source of revenue for AMUN. In particular, computer donations have been very helpful in the past, along with donations of services (printing, type-setting, legal and accounting services, air travel for guest speakers, etc.) and other goods (office supplies, etc.)
3. Individual donations, including those of volunteers: a number of individuals have made very helpful donations to AMUN over the years. These include interested individuals with no strong relation to the conference, as well as present and past volunteers. In fact, when total costs are considered AMUN volunteers provide significant donations each year by paying for their own travel and food expenses when staffing a conference, or by not seeking reimbursement for other items.
4. Partnerships: AMUN has established a number of very successful partnerships with other groups over the years, including the Stanley Foundation and the United Nations Association among others. These partnerships have led to joint efforts to publish preparation materials, bring in top quality guest speakers, and in a number of other areas.
5. Grants and gifts: AMUN is always open to grants and gifts from the foundation and corporate communities.

How can you help?

• Funding of simulations: this is the main work of AMUN. Our flagship American Model United Nations International conference now draws 1,400+ college and university level students from across the United States and around the world. Also, in August of 2000 AMUN teamed with the United Nations in New York to host the United Nations International Model UN Conference. This was the first-ever conference co-sponsored by the UN, and was held entirely at UN Headquarters in New York. Both of these simulations, as well as other potential simulations in the future, could be significantly expanded, and their already high quality improved, through the influx of additional funding.
• Funding of preparation tools:
  • Ambassador's Club video series: Since 2001, AMUN has teamed up with Ambassador Ahmad Kamal and the "Ambassador's Club" at the United Nations to create and distribute a series of informative video tapes on the United Nations, its member states, and the diplomats and Secretariat members who make the organization work. We now have five series in distribution, featuring Ambassadors from a variety of backgrounds discussing their experiences in diplomacy and providing information on areas of substantive concern on the UN agenda. Additional tapes will continue to focus on diplomacy at the UN from the perspective of various regions of the world (Africa, Asia, Latin America, etc.). Amb. Kamal founded the Ambassador's Club in an effort to bring UN diplomats to people around the world, and AMUN is pleased to join him in this collaborative effort. Funding is currently needed for all phases of the project.
  • Model UN in a Box Simulation guides: Now in its Fourth Edition (formerly the AMUN Simulation Guide), Model UN "in a Box" is a tool for the Model UN community at all academic levels. While most Model UN organizations provide preparation guides for students, this kit is designed to train teachers on how to prepare their students for a Model UN event. This includes sample classroom strategies and syllabi, plus exercises on caucusing and resolution writing, as well as three full-blown simulations which can be used in a classroom or club setting with no additional preparation needed. Additional funding will assist AMUN in our continual drive to improve this kit.
• Funding of publicity efforts: AMUN is always attempting to contact new schools in an effort to diversify the participants in our simulations, and by definition to expand the number and type of students involved in Model UNing as an educational activity. In this vein, we are actively promoting new Model UN organization in city colleges, community colleges, historically minority colleges, and in universities around the world (especially in developing countries). We target both existing Model UN groups (classes or clubs) as well as any interested students or faculty who may wish to start a group on their campus. Funding in this area can help us to increase our publicity efforts to reach more students.
• Leadership Training: AMUN holds a number of leadership training events for our volunteer staff to provide them with the tools needed to enhance the educational experience for all of our participants. These include a senior leadership retreat each January and training retreats in the spring and fall. Additionally, AMUN is planning a possible retreat for leaders of other Model UN organizations, focusing on helping all Model UN organization be better able to bring the UN to their student participants.
• Scholarships: AMUN currently funds one scholarship each year to assist a school which might not otherwise be able to attend our flagship conference. We hope to expand scholarship opportunities in the future, both for US based schools which have difficulty in obtaining funding, and for schools and students from developing countries who would like to experience the conference. Funding in this area will go directly to participants to offset costs for conference participation.
• In-Kind Donations of Goods or Services: many logistical components go into the running of a UN simulation, from computers and printers, to copy machines, office supplies, air fare for guests, and food and travel for volunteer staff members.  AMUN is always pleased to accept in-kind donations which may help any area of the conference.

We hope that you can help with our educational endeavor. Note that donations can be made by check or by credit card, either through the mail or directly on-line.

American Model United Nations, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, registered as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. AMUN is also an official Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in affiliation with the United Nations Department of Public Information.

Contributions to AMUN are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law for donations to a 501(c)3 organization.

Thank you for your generous assistance!

For more information about AMUN, please write, call, fax, or e-mail us at:

American Model United Nations International
1212 N. Columbian Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
Phone: 773-777-AMUN
Fax: 708-386-3806
E-Mail: mail@amun.org