The purpose of the United Nations Women's Guild shall be to assist children in need throughout the world, and to serve as a mutual bond and center of interest for women connected with the United Nations.

After World War II, a group of wives of UN Secretariat officials formed an association to help needy children in war-torn Europe. They continued the charitable work begun in the 1930's by wives of the Geneva-based League of Nations. On April 12, 1948, the group was recognized as an affiliate of the United Nations, and thus was permitted to be known as the "UNITED NATIONS WOMEN'S GUILD".

The United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan provides office space and communication systems. All other expenses are met by the UNWG itself. All the work of the Guild is voluntary. No one receives a salary. Thus over 95% of the money generated by the UNWG is spent on children's charity program.