Golden Key is proud of its rich history and of the members who have made it so successful.

Golden Key International Honour Society, founded in 1977, recognizes college students solely on the basis of their academic achievements. Since its founding in 1977, Golden Key International Honour Society has emerged as one of the most dynamic, forward-thinking organizations in higher education. Committed to an ethos of recognizing academic achievement and encouraging altruistic service, the Society’s on-campus presence has reached over 350 campuses in seven countries including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

In an effort to reflect the Society's diversity and international presence, Golden Key uses the globally accepted spelling of "honour" in its name.

The Board of Directors governs Golden Key, and the Academic Council, made up of volunteers from diverse academic backgrounds, preserves the Society's academic standards.

The Society maintains active membership in several organizations including the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the Points of Light Foundation.

Golden Key is incorporated as a nonprofit organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.