Impact Made Possible by You

In 2023, the National Geographic Society achieved significant milestones in protecting the future of our planet. Find out how our supporters like you are making a difference.

Our Mission

Using the power of science, exploration, education,
and storytelling to illuminate and protect

our approach

Investing in a diverse, global community of changemakers

Bold Explorers

We fund a global community of Explorers who investigate, test hypotheses, innovate, stretch their creativity, and push the boundaries of traditional thinking in ways that fundamentally change our world.

Impactful Programs

We support and cultivate a portfolio of diverse, Explorer-led programs within our five focus areas to drive impact and fulfill our mission of illuminating and protecting our world.

Connection & Education

We leverage our global expertise, platforms, and unparalleled convening power to inspire educators, youth, and future Explorers and help more people learn about, care for, and protect our world.

Responsible Stewardship

Our innovative business model allows us to invest every philanthropic dollar—100% of donations—directly to our Explorers and programs. Join us to support what matters most to you.

Give Elephants a Brighter Future

Donate to help fund critical efforts like elephant conservation. All gifts will be DOUBLED from now until August 31.
Our Focus

Maximizing impact
in six key areas

 
Revealing and protecting underwater worlds

Our Explorers discover, understand, and conserve marine and coastal systems and inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect the ocean.

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Preserving and protecting land environments

Our Explorers explore, understand, and conserve terrestrial and freshwater systems and inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect our lands, lakes, and rivers.

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Protecting and conserving wildlife

Our Explorers inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect wildlife, including animals, plants and fungi.

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Understanding our past and protecting our future

Our Explorers work to preserve cultural knowledge, better understand human histories, cultures, practices, diversity, and evolution—past and present, center communities, and inform and inspire global audiences with stories or lessons about humanity.

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Protecting the planet

Our work in Planetary Health covers projects that explore the relationships and interdependencies between human health and the environment. These include all natural systems, such as oceans, land. atmosphere, flora, fauna, fungi and microbes. 

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Exploring what's beyond our world

Our work in Space encompasses projects dedicated to exploring and understanding the universe and supporting National Geographic Explorers who examine and illuminate our world and what lies beyond it.

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Join Us

Make a Difference

This month, we are celebrating wildlife!

In honor of World Elephant Day, we will be illuminating the stories of National Geographic Explorers and mission programs making a difference for endangered elephants and tirelessly working for a healthier planet.

Now through August 31, we are challenging you to have your gift matched 1:1 through a MATCH-CHALLENGE, thanks to a generous Society donor. Make your gift today and DOUBLE your impact before the end of the month!

changing the world

Your impact begins today!

450 +
Active Explorer-led projects in more than 140 countries
$ 324
Average gift amount donated to the Society
100 %
Amount of donations that go to fund mission-driven work and Explorer programs
Our promise

Supporting future changemakers

"Dolphins are the ‘ambassadors of the Amazon.’ As they move across bodies of water they demonstrate the importance of freshwater conservation and the impact climate change has on all these river basins. This very same water enriches the environment, the soil and impacts the lives of the millions of people who surround it."
Fernando Trujillo
2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year
Marine Biologist
Stories of Impact

Meet Our Explorers

Meet Our Explorers

Our community of Explorers is working to inspire, educate, preserve, and protect the wonder of our world.
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GRANTS AND INVESTMENTS

Our Funding Strategy

Our Funding Strategy

We invest in individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of our focus areas.
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Our commitment to dei

Cultivating an environment of opportunity, mutual respect,
and belonging

Learning from our past, examining our present, and building a more inclusive future.

We believe we can only achieve our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world when people of every race, identity, experience, and ability have a role in our work. Although we have much more work to do, the Society has made strides to achieve and maintain equity.

Photo Credits (from top of page): Michael Nichols, Beverly Joubert, Sam Kittner, Joshua Irwandi, Chris Mbanza Schwagga, Manu San Felix, David Gill Below: Michael Nichols, Andy Mann, Paul Nicklen, Ami Vitale, Christian Tryon, Kenneth Garrett, Mark Thiessen

Get updates about our critical work to explore and protect our planet.

GIVE TODAY!

Elephants are crucial to our planetary health, but with only 40,00 Asian elephants left in the wild, they need our help, now more than ever. MATCH CHALLENGE AVAILABLE: From now until August 31, you can make 2x the impact to help wildlife and so much more. We challenge you to have your gift matched 1:1, thanks to a generous Society donor.

Donate today!