DACOR

DACOR is a United States 501(c)(4) non-profit membership organization for retired foreign affair professionals. They advocate for foreign affair professionals through education, scholarships, conferences, and career development opportunities.^[1] DACOR is headquartered in the historic Ringgold–Carroll House, or the DACOR–Bacon House, in Washington, D.C. The philanthropic arm of DACOR is the DACOR–Bacon House Foundation.

Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired

Formation	1952
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Ringgold–Carroll House
Region	United States
Website	https://www.dacorbacon.org/

History

DACOR was founded in 1952 as Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired.^[2] Virginia Murray Bacon, one of the first women members of DACOR, donated the Ringgold–Carroll House to the Bacon Foundation in the honor of her husband, Congressman Robert Low Bacon, in 1980. The Bacon Foundation and the DACOR Foundation merged in 1985 to create the present-day DACOR–Bacon Foundation.^[3]

Overview

Ambassador Aurelia E. Brazeal is awarded the DACOR Foreign Service Cup and poses with President of DACOR on May 5, 2023.

In 1965, DACOR partnered with the State Department in the creation of Foreign Service Day, an annual event that welcomes retirees back to Department headquarters.^[4][5] DACOR presents awards, like their prestigious Foreign Service Cup, to distinguished diplomats with significant post-career contributions to the field.^[6] They also partner with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training in producing book series that advances understanding and appreciation for American diplomats and their role in promoting American interests abroad.^[7][8] DACOR's annual conference invites both professionals and academics to discuss topics related to diplomats and American foreign affairs.^[9] Other programs include scholarships and student and early professional mentoring.^[10][11]