GT Heart

Without Them, There Is No Us

This Giving Tuesday, donate to support National Geographic Explorers protecting critical wildlife and your gift will be MATCHED.

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.

Our Focus

Maximizing impact
in five 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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Supporting innovation

Our Explorers are taking novel and inventive approaches to address critical challenges and produce insights that illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.

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Join Us

Make a difference for Giving Tuesday

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the Society will raise funds to help give Hope For Species in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. In the 50 years since its passing, conservation efforts have provided a light at the end of the tunnel for endangered wildlife, but this work is far from over and we need your help to make sure it continues.

Our Explorers are working to protect wildlife and restore vital ecosystems in the U.S and around the world, but they can’t do it alone. This Giving Tuesday make a special tax-deductible donation and your gift will be matched 100%.

changing the world

Your impact begins today!

Our promise

Supporting future changemakers

"There are so many challenges that girls and women in Afghanistan face, especially in rural areas, every day. I am not just interested in setting up a school for girls. I’m interested in the lifelong impact that this kind of education can have in not just one girl’s life, but also in that of her family and the generations that come after her."
Shabana Basij-Rasikh
2023 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year and
Co-founder of School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA)
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): Robbie Shone, 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.

2X MATCH AVAILABLE!

Act now! For Giving Tuesday, your gift to the National Geographic Society will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Make your tax-deductible contribution today and make TWICE the impact for Explorers working to preserve threatened species around the world.

Donate today!