The American Unitarian Conference (AUC) was founded in 2000 by several Unitarian Universalists who thought that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was too liberal, both theologically and politically, for their beliefs. They saw their mission to promote "classical" Unitarianism which they defined as a Christian belief system. At the same time they hoped their organization would be of interest to non-Christians who embrace generic or philosophical theism and Deism.

"Classical Unitarianism" as defined within the AUC has as a main tenet the belief in God as one person as opposed to trinitarianism which holds to the belief in a God of three persons. Among the classical unitarian principles that the AUC wishes to promote are

In classical unitarian fashion, the AUC does not require adherence to a creed to become a member. All who are in agreement with the AUC's religious principles, regardless of denominational affiliation or lack thereof, may join. Many of the members consider themselves Unitarian Christians. Attempts at forming a parallel organization to the UUA have so far been met with little interest from members of the original body.

The organization is run by volunteers. They maintain a website and publish a quarterly journal, The American Unitarian. The AUC's motto is "Faith, Freedom, Reason."