National Geographic Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INCREASE AND DIFFUSE GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE IN THE BROADEST SENSE, USING THE POWER OF SCIENCE, EXPLORATION, EDUCATION AND STORYTELLING TO ILLUMINATE AND PROTECT THE WONDER OF THE WORLD.
- Income
- $340.5 million
- Spending
- $222.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 68.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 753
- Volunteers
- 24
- Highest pay
- $1.6 million, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 68.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- NEWF added 77 new Africa Refocused Fellows.Work delivered
- NEWF completed more than 60 labs and exchanges.Work delivered
- NEWF finished production of 13 short films.Work delivered
- NEWF engaged 40 youths through the YES internship programme.Work delivered
- Photo Camp held 18 workshops and 2 exhibitions.Work delivered
- The Out of Eden Walk published 23 articles online.Work delivered
- Sartore photographed 467 new species for the Photo Ark.Work delivered
- Sartore spent 120 days photographing across several countries and 19 US locations.Work delivered
- National Geographic Learning delivered more than 2,331 Explorer features showcasing 689 unique Explorers.Work delivered
- Resources were integrated into twenty programs and accessed by over 5,000 students.Work delivered
- Explorer Classroom hosted 34 events featuring 18 Explorers.Work delivered
- Sessions engaged over 70,000 live participants.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $90.9 million spent. THE STORYTELLING TEAM OVERSEES THE SOCIETY'S GRANT MAKING EFFORTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY, JOURNALISM, FILM, IMMERSIVE MEDIA, PODCASTS AND OTHER MEDIA. ITS PROGRAMS ALSO SUPPORT CAPACITY BUILDING, AMBITIOUS MEDIA PROJECTS FOR IMPACT AND EFFORTS TO AMPLIFY VOICES IN THE MEDIA. STORYTELLING AND OUTREACH PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED ON SCH. O The Impact Story Lab is an award-winning creative unit within the National Geographic Society that combines world-class storytelling with social and behavioral science to drive positive change. Our interdisciplinary team has three bodies of work. We produce media to support the goals of our institutional goals. We create all video for the new Museum of Exploration. And we collaborate with National Geographic Explorers to produce media to help accomplish the goals of their programs. The Impact Story Lab also has a "science of storytelling" component in which we conduct research, publish our findings, and host workshops to advance the field of impact storytelling. In 2025 our projects included several short films, multiple productions for the Museum, and full media coverage of several Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions. Africa Refocused, a collaboration between Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmaking (NEWF) and the National Geographic Society, helps African storytellers, scientists and conservationists participate in global conversations about African nature, wildlife and environment. Traditionally, the voices of Africans were absent in these conversations and working with National Geographic Explorers Noel and Pragna Kok, this initiative has started addressing this imbalance through capacity sharing and a fellowship program and production of innovative content in different genres. In 2025, NEWF added 77 new Africa Refocused Fellows, bringing the total to 371 from 35 out of the 54 African countries (and 46 countries globally). NEWF also completed more than 60 labs and exchanges, finished the production of 13 short films, and has over 10 films and series in production. NEWF also engaged 40 youths from the communities they work in through the YES internship programme. Other accomplishments included the production and distribution of Wild Hope: Rhino Ops, expanded global industry presence at industry events such as Jackson Wild, Santiago Wild Sunnyside of the Doc and World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, strengthened South x South collaborations, and the successful rollout of a residency model that deepened skill development and peer mentorship. The programme also secured critical sustainability milestones, including five-year permits within iSimangaliso Wetland Park and expanded wildlife access agreements within iSimangaliso and Bayala. National Geographic Photo Camp provides a meaningful introduction to photography for young people around the world and aims to inspire the next generation of storytellers, and support them in sharing their experiences and perspectives. Founded in 2003 by Explorer in Residence and photographer Kirsten Elstner, the National Geographic Society has hosted 177 in-person and virtual Photo Camps in 49 countries. In 2025 across 18 workshops and 2 exhibitions, students explored storytelling through photography, writing, and conversation. By way of instruction and guidance from world-class National Geographic Explorers and photographers, students build their technical skills, grow in confidence, and develop deep connections with each other. The Out of Eden Walk is a years-long journalistic expedition through which National Geographic explorer Paul Salopek is walking the globe, retracing the pathways of human origins from Africa to South America. This 21,000-mile odyssey is an exercise in slow journalism, allowing Paul to report the major stories of our time holistically by slowing down to walking speed to share the full context and voices of local people behind the headlines of the stories of our time. The Out of Eden Walk is a global storytelling initiative for education and cross-cultural engagement that promotes journalistic education and people-to-people connectivity via the ethos of slow journalism. Over the course of 2025, the Out of Eden Walk published 23 articles online and one feature length article in National Geographic Magazine. Salopek chronicled his reflections and discoveries as he completed a historic walk through Asia, as well as his intercontinental ocean crossing and first impressions of North America. In 2025, the World Freshwater Initiative focused on creating awareness on the World Freshwater Initiative's World Water Map Insights Edition, which was launched in late 2024. This was done through presentations in different freshwater aligned forums, to professional groups and at international conferences. Multiple media appearances and mentions also helped to increase awareness about this resource. In 2025, the Initiative also awarded 7 level I and 3 level II grants to storytellers with fieldwork in 12 countries around the world. WonderLab, led by Explorer and photographer Anand Varma, is a physical space based in Berkeley, California where Anand is creating innovative storytelling techniques that push the boundaries of how we understand the wonders of our world. In 2025, Anand's photography was shared on a massive scale: his image of a newly hatched chick was featured on the cover of the "Pictures of the Year" issue of National Geographic Magazine and his video of hummingbirds took over two enormous screens above Times Square in New York City to promote bird conservation. His photography was recognized by the prestigious Royal Photographic Society Award for scientific imaging and his work featured in the National Geographic series Photographer was nominated for a Documentary Emmy Award. He was interviewed by the nationally broadcast radio show Science Friday and presented a keynote address at the Dubai Future Forum, a gathering of the world's foremost scientists, technologists, and policymakers. A critical compo
- $67.0 million spent. The Science & Innovation team oversees the Society's grantmaking efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). SCIENCE & INNOVATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED ON SCH. O The National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is working to secure permanent, sustainable protection for the greater Okavango Basin-the source of water for more than one million people and one of the most biodiverse places in Africa. A team of National Geographic Explorers, local and regional experts, and partners at the Wild Bird Trust are working to preserve this irreplaceable natural wonder spanning Angola, Namibia and Botswana-and help address threats to the basin from the effects of climate change and human impacts. Through rigorous scientific research, impactful conservation education projects and storytelling about the ecosystems and people who live there, the Okavango Wilderness Project is helping to protect this unique ecosystem for generations to come. In 2025, the team launched a two-team expedition for its annual crossing of the Okavango Delta in Botswana which serves as an annual checkup on the Delta's water quality and ecosystem health, and is critical for understanding how the system is changing over time. The team also conducted research to further understand the undescribed biodiversity that exists in the project landscape. Working with partners and local and Indigenous communities, the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is helping to preserve one of the last great wildernesses on Earth for the people and wildlife who call it home. National Geographic Pristine Seas is an exploration, research and filmmaking project that inspires the creation of marine protected areas around the world. Founded and led by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala, the project has helped to create 31 of the largest marine reserves on Earth, which cover more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean. These "national parks of the sea" preserve the wonders of the ocean while increasing the food supply, providing economic benefits, and building resilience against global warming. In 2023, Pristine Seas launched The Global Expedition: a bold conservation effort to explore areas of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Working aboard the Argo - a 130-foot customized research vessel and filmmaking center - local and international scientists conduct underwater research and share their knowledge, insights, and personal connection to the study areas. The ship is Pristine Seas' modern-day equivalent of Jacques Cousteau's famous Calypso, but with an ocean conservation mission. Today, less than 10% of the ocean is somehow protected - and less than 3% is fully protected from fishing and other damaging activities. Pristine Seas supports the global goal of conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, which will not only benefit marine life but also provide value to communities. The interactions between animals and their environments are critical for maintaining a healthy planet. But for many species, time is running out. When you remove one, it affects us all. The National Geographic Photo Ark, led by Explorer and photographer Joel Sartore, aims to document every species living in the world's zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries; inspire action through education, and help protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts. In 2025 Sartore photographed 467 new species for the Photo Ark and passed the 17,000 species mark with the addition of the Bird of Paradise Over the last 12 months, Sartore photographed in Germany, China, New Guinea, Brazil and in 19 US based locations, totaling 120 days photographing. Some of the species photographed include the Spotted Cuscus, Papuan Harpy Eagle, Doria's Tree Kangaroo, Chinese Monal Pheasant and the Chinese Sturgeon. Photo Ark also awarded the third Species Impact Initiative grant, funding the conservation and captive breeding of critically endangered frogs in Ecuador. Perpetual Planet Expeditions, a signature Society program developed in partnership with Rolex, supports trailblazing scientific research expeditions to Earth's critical life-support systems - mountains, rainforests, the ocean - to understand how they are changing and to identify solutions to restore, rebalance and protect them. Perpetual Planet Expeditions is now in its third phase, ocean. From seashore to seafloor and from pole to pole, Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions in integrating cutting-edge science and traditional ecological knowledge to examine the causes and impacts of marine systems change throughout the largest and most vital ecosystem on Earth - the Ocean - to generate bold and innovative solutions in partnership with the coastal communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on it. Through a combination of Explorer-led research, community engagement, world-class storytelling and impactful education initiatives, the expeditions will reveal the diversity and connectivity of these unique and vulnerable ecosystems while scaling solutions to help protect, restore and rebalance our planet's largest biome. Rising Star is a year-round world-class field research program revolutionizing the scientific practice of paleoanthropology. Under the leadership of National Geographic Explorer in Residence Lee R. Berger, hundreds of scientists work collaboratively in the richest hominin fossil-bearing region of the world to open new doors into our understanding of the evolution and behaviors of ancient hominins. To meet its permanent sustainability goals, Rising Star invests in the growth of local scientific capacity through academic leadership programs, field mentorship opportunities, and technical-track scientific professionalization programs for minoritized groups in South Africa and beyond. As part of its commitment to expanding the boundaries of paleoanthrop
- $25.8 million spent. For more than 40 years, National Geographic's Education and Community Engagement division has extended the work of Explorers and educators into classrooms and communities around the world, inspiring meaningful and lasting change. We support educators, researchers and learners of all ages by expanding access to knowledge, developing learning resources and GIS modules, and creating opportunities for live engagement with National Geographic Explorers. Together, these efforts nurture creativity, curiosity, and resilience while helping people connect global challenges to local action. EDUCATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS CONT. ON SCH.O At the center of our work is the Explorer Mindst, a way of thinking that encourages curiosity, builds skills, and deepens understanding so people can develop solutions to protect our planet. Through strategic partnerships, education-focused grants, and support for research, knowledge creation and skill development, we amplify the impact of the work of Explorers and educators worldwide. By grounding our work in community -based approaches, we help turn learning into action that leads to lasting change. For 14 years, the National Geographic Society and Cengage Group have partnered as National Geographic Learning to bring the world into the classroom for tens of millions of learners annually. In 2025 alone, National Geographic Learning delivered Explorer-centered materials to over 100 countries. These resources included more than 2,331 Explorer features, showcasing the work of 689 unique Explorers. Building on the developments of 2024, which included twelve new curriculum-aligned StoryMaps and a defined GIS Module, these resources were integrated into twenty National Geographic Learning programs in 2025 and accessed by over 5,000 students. NGS Education and Community Engagement develops strategic collaborations with local, regional, and national organizations to extend Explorer-led, Explorer-centered, and innovative geography education programs into classrooms and communities domestically and internationally. By supporting these initiatives we extend the reach of NGS's mission into communities, cultivate learners' Explorer Mindset journey, and advance knowledge in geography education with impactful learning design solutions. In 2025, the Education and Community Engagement team leveraged 41 restricted endowments across 28 states, D.C., and Canada to create impact aligned to NGS's mission. These funds were used to expand the reach and impact of the Slingshot Challenge, Photo Camp programming, and other Explorer-led programs. We identified and contracted with over 25 collaborating organizations and Explorers that have the potential to reach a total of ~22,000 (projected based on available data) educators and young people that could not have been reached without support from education endowments, utilizing approximately ~$2.26MM in restricted endowment funding in support of NG Next. NGS Education and Community Engagement recruits, awards grants, and supports a global group of Explorers working in education. These Explorers further NGS's mission by expanding what is possible in research and practice, improving community outcomes, advancing knowledge, and inspiring lasting attitudinal and behavioral shifts in how people care for the planet and one another. Their work reaches learners of every age, in every setting, to inspire people to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. In 2025, we launched two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to grow our portfolio of visionary projects and Explorers. Explorer grants through these RFPs will leverage spatial thinking to design place-based learning solutions and will pioneer future-facing learning models that inspire action for the planet and its people. We supported two Explorer-led programs as these higher-level investments contributed to the Society's mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Explorer Classroom connects students with National Geographic Explorers for live virtual events filled with interactive moments. Learners hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with leading scientists, researchers, and storytellers in real-time bringing the spirit of exploration to classrooms in the US and worldwide. All events are free, designed for a range of ages, and include resources to help educators extend the learning beyond the event. In 2025, we hosted 34 events featuring 18 Explorers. These sessions engaged over 70,000 live participants and reached an additional 41,901 viewers through recorded events. Topics ranged from conservation and wildlife protection to storytelling and cultural heritage, giving learners firsthand insights into the impact of National Geographic Explorers. Classrooms can participate in a single event or an ongoing series, expanding the program's depth and impact. The Wildlife Series was offered for a third year, reaching 1,196 educators and classrooms, and resulting in 1,207 students creating wildlife campaigns to address challenges wildlife face locally. The Storytelling Series, inspired by Explorers like Paul Salopek, was offered a second time-seeing a 58% increase in registration, reaching 584 educators and classrooms. In order to create more opportunities for young people to experience and prepare for careers in conservation and exploration, the National Geographic Society continues to partner with The Nature Conservancy to host the Externship Program. This eight-week virtual learning and career development opportunity is for young people ages 18-25 from across the globe. In 2025, 400 externs representing 85 countries engaged in an externship. Participants specialized in one of three thematic tracks: freshwater conservation, marine conservation, and data visualization and mapping. By equipping these emerging leaders with essential research, mapping, and storytelling skills, the program fosters community-driven solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Performance
- $4,018 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
- The National Geographic sustainability program demonstrates that the way we conduct our operations impacts not just our financial bottom line, but also the people we employ, the communities we engage, and the environments we inhabit. Our buildings follow the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for existing buildings (EB) to ensure that our operations are as efficient as possible and maintain a safe and healthy atmosphere for occupants and guests. With seven consecutive LEED-EB certifications, our Washington, DC headquarters (called Base Camp) are the longest continuously certified LEED-EB buildings in the world. Because our sustainability efforts depend on the engagement of our staff, tenants, guests, and construction vendors, we provide continuous communication, training, guidelines, policies, and volunteer opportunities to model sustainable mindsets. As we renovate our Base Camp and build the new Museum of Exploration, we are pursuing platinum LEED-CI certification for the construction project to hone our focus on ensuring efficient use and disposal of materials, energy and water saving upgrades like an updated central plant and stormwater cistern, maintenance of excellent internal air quality, and expansion of our support for low carbon transportation options for staff and guests. To lower the carbon footprint of our project, the concrete mixes in the new structures achieved a 40% reduction in embodied carbon from the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) 2021 baseline and 23% reduction from the even more stringent National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) Eastern Region Baseline. Meanwhile, thousands of tons of concrete from the project's demolition stage are being turned into aggregate to replace typically quarry-sourced fill and base material for other projects. Significant elements of the new construction including woodwork, millwork, planter benches and a rainscreen were prefabricated, preventing wasteful field cuts. In clearing space for the construction, we continue to repurpose, rather than simply dispose of, useful items; in 2025, we gave over 60,000 pounds of furniture, books, magazines, equipment, office supplies and more to the local community, benefiting more than a dozen nonprofits and schools.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1938.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.