They define themselves as non-creedal, and draw wisdom from various religions and philosophies, including humanism, pantheism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, and Earth-centered spirituality.

[13] The UUA was given corporate status in May 1961 under special acts of legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York.

It is the congregations that have authority over the larger body, through the annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

The UUA does not have a central creed in which members are required to believe, and has found it useful to articulate its common values in what has become known as the Principles and Purposes statement.

Both of these were added to explicitly include members with Neopagan, Native American, and other natural theist spiritualities.

[14] Because Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition, always open to re-imagining, there is currently a reevaluation study process occurring that could see these principles and sources shift.

The principles and purposes are accompanied by a list of sources, and statements of inclusion and freedom of belief.

[15] "We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote "The living tradition which we share draws from many sources: Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision.

"The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes.

"The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed."

"Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test."

Additionally, the UUA pools together investment funds from congregations or other constituents and manages them for a small percentage.

UUA leaders concerned with membership numbers fluctuating from barely perceptible growth to slight decline, are working with a variety of experimental UU communities that represent alternative models of congregational formation—or that may point to new forms of affiliation.

[18] From when the association was established in 1961 until 2010, the president and moderator were each elected to four-year terms by delegates at General Assembly.

The 2010 General Assembly adopted a bylaw amendment, to take effect in stages beginning in 2013, making changes in the composition of the board of trustees and in the terms and election procedures for president and moderator.

Susan Frederick-Gray, who was elected at the 2017 UUA General Assembly in New Orleans, Louisiana; she was expected to be the first president to serve a single six-year term, per a 2010 bylaw change.

The Religion in Life religious emblems program of UUA were once unrecognized by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

[41] Navigators USA,[41] was founded by volunteers of All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City after terminating its charter with Boy Scout Troop 103 because of the BSA policies.

Its founders describe as "...committed to providing a quality scouting experience that is inclusive and available to all children and families regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, sexual orientation and social background.

[43] In addition to SpiralScouts and Navigators USA, the UUA website also suggests Camp Fire as an alternative scout-like organization that comports with UU principles.