The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) is a federally chartered corporation whose mission is to encourage a more active, engaged citizenry. Founded in 1946 to sustain the spirit of cooperation that bound citizens together during World War II, the NCoC was granted a federal charter by a unanimous act of the Congress in 1953. Federal charters are granted to organizations conducting activities of national scope, of patriotic, charitable or educational purpose, in a nonpartisan manner, and of unique character. Patriotic and national organizations with similar federal charters include the American Legion, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, Girl Scouts of America, Gold Star Wives of America, and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Congress gave the NCoC the following three mandates:

1. to hold annually a national conference on citizenship on or about "Citizenship Day," September 17;
2. to assist in the development of more dynamic procedures for making citizenship more effective, including the promotion and encouragement of local, State, and regional citizenship conferences; and
3. to indicate the ways and means by which various organizations may contribute concretely to the development of a more active, alert, enlightened, conscientious, and progressive citizenry in our country.

During its first three decades, the NCoC was guided by leading American citizens, including Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, Supreme Court Justices Clark, Hughes, Warren and Burger, and citizens representing key sectors of society. The NCoC was instrumental in securing the annual observance of 'Citizenship Day' on September 17.

The NCoC is encouraged by the civic renewal that is occurring in the country post-September 11 and the significant number of initiatives that are being spearheaded by the three branches of government or led by organizations at the state and local levels. The NCoC uses its annual conference to bring together the leading public and private initiatives to strengthen citizenship in America, set concrete and ambitious goals for the coming year, and announce new initiatives to strengthen an understanding of our democracy and the citizen's role in it.