Founded in 1925, the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York represents the world’s largest consular corps, comprising Consulates, Consulates General and Honorary Consulates based in New York City.
In April 2015 – after 90 years as an unincorporated association – the SOFC became an incorporated 501 (c) (7) not-for-profit organization in the State of New York.
Going forward, the SOFC will be known as The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, Inc.
To reflect this new status and name we have launched a new email address – [email protected] and have opened a new bank account with the Bank of America, as well as a new Post Office box (P.O. Box 3161, New York, NY 10163). Our website remains the same at www.ConsulsNewYork.com.
Membership is open to current, serving members of NYC-based consulates general, consulates and honorary consulates recognized by our host country, the United States of America.
The Society is steered by an Executive Committee made up of elected vice presidents and alternates who represent all regions of the world.
Our mission is to to safeguard the interests and rights of the members of the NYC-based Consular Corps and strive to promote cultural and economic relations with the city of New York and between our respective countries and our host, the United States of America.
The Society works with the US Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions and the NYC Mayor’s Office for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol to arrange forums and seminars of mutual interest on issues such as consular access, diplomatic security, immigration, document fraud and airport protocol.
The Society has also established links with the renowned NYC cultural institution, the 92nd Street Y, to benefit members with substantial discounts and waived fees on many workshops, events and courses (including fitness and health classes) and with Hertz, to provide members with free Gold Card membership and a variety of discounts and other car rental benefits.
Initiatives in recent years have included fund raising charity galas to benefit such worthy organizations as the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and the international children’s programs of CARE International.
