A Year of Impact
2022 Annual Report
With your support, the National Geographic Society is taking bold steps toward a brighter future, supporting the world’s most innovative scientists, conservationists, educators, and storytellers who are leading the way in a new age of exploration. Because of you, we are seeing real impact in our work to protect our ocean and precious landscapes, safeguard threatened species, and preserve our natural and cultural heritage.
Thank you for supporting the National Geographic Society.
2022 Impact by the Numbers
$117.9+M
$169,000
1,000+
53
135,000+
students participated in Explorer Classroom events
238
new grants awarded to support National Geographic Explorer-led projects
84M
A Message of Thanks
Jill Tiefenthaler
CEO, National Geographic Society
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Programs
Our Programs
Ocean
The National Geographic Society funds Explorers across disciplines like oceanography, marine ecology, climate science, and more, who are seeking solutions to the most critical challenges facing our marine and coastal systems. Their important work aims to better understand and preserve our ocean, and to inspire and empower people across the globe to make an impact.
In 2022, National Geographic’s ocean conservation program Pristine Seas led scientific expeditions to Colombia, Canada, and Dominica, conducting research to support the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in each location. As a result of their efforts, Colombia’s Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary marine protected area was expanded by more than 20,000 square kilometers, encompassing many of the region’s vital biodiversity hotspots.
Learn more about the work that programs like Pristine Seas are doing to restore and protect our ocean.
Land
National Geographic Society Explorers are documenting and conserving terrestrial and freshwater systems across the globe. These scientists, conservationists, educators, and storytellers are working to protect our world’s diverse landscapes, support healthy ecosystems, and improve our understanding of the impacts of climate change on our lands, lakes, and rivers.
In 2022, the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project conducted two simultaneous scientific and storytelling expeditions across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana to monitor the health of the greater Okavango Basin, which is a vital source of water to more than one million people and one of the most biodiverse places in Africa.
Learn more about the Okavango Wilderness Project and other programs that seek to understand and preserve our planet.
Wildlife
The National Geographic Society invests in Explorer-led projects that seek to illuminate and preserve all wildlife, including animals, plants, and fungi. Our Explorers are working around the world to protect threatened species, safeguard biodiverse habitats, and foster peaceful coexistence between human and animal populations.
The National Geographic Photo Ark, founded by Explorer and photographer Joel Sartore, aims to locate and document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries—approximately 20,000 in total—to inspire people to help protect at-risk wildlife. In 2022, the spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) became the 13,000th species to be added to this archive of global biodiversity.
Learn more about programs like the National Geographic Photo Ark that are working to illuminate and protect wildlife.
Human Histories and Cultures
National Geographic Society Explorers are investigating our planet’s history, uncovering the roots of humanity, and preserving cultural knowledge and practices. These anthropologists, journalists, community organizers, artists, and advocates discover and elevate important human stories that encourage us to better understand our complex, interconnected world.
In 2022, the Out of Eden Walk project led by Explorer Paul Salopek continued tracing the migration routes of our ancient ancestors from Africa to South America. Traveling along a route through China that stretches across some 3,600 miles and at least 10 provinces, Salopek employs his signature slow journalism style to share the stories of the people and places he encounters with critical context and nuance that is often missed by traditional media.
Learn more about the work that programs like the Out of Eden Walk are doing to understand and celebrate human histories and cultures.
Human Ingenuity
From developing technology that expands the boundaries of knowledge to uncovering patterns that illuminate the mysteries of our planet, National Geographic Explorers are working at the forefront of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to find innovative approaches to solve our planet’s most pressing challenges.
National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expeditions study the effects of climate change on our world’s most fragile environments: mountains, rainforests, and the ocean. In 2022, the Perpetual Planet team conducted several scientific and storytelling studies across the globe, deploying world-class experts along with cutting-edge technology to advance our understanding of the environmental impacts of climate change and help identify solutions for the future.
Learn more about programs like Perpetual Planet that use the power of human ingenuity to make a difference for our planet.
Cutting-Edge Science
Cutting-Edge Science
At the National Geographic Society, our commitment to science lies at the heart of everything we do—through the dauntless pursuit of knowledge and understanding, we are examining the world around us, revealing truths that connect us, and finding solutions to help us build a better future. Our Explorers contribute their significant findings and breakthrough discoveries to globally-respected scientific publications, sharing the results of their important work with audiences around the world.
In 2022, Society-funded Explorers and programs contributed 767 articles spanning 90 disciplines to top scientific and academic journals. The top nine disciplines represented are shown here.
184
Ecology
103
Evolutionary Biology
98
Zoology
72
Multidisciplinary Sciences
71
Biodiversity Conservation
69
Anthropology
63
Geosciences
58
Environmental Sciences
54
Archaeology
Unforgettable
Storytelling
Unforgettable
Storytelling
In collaboration with The Climate Pledge, the National Geographic Society established the Global Storytellers Fund to empower photographers, filmmakers, multimedia artists, and other Explorers working to illuminate the planet’s most pressing challenges as well as the communities on the front lines of climate change.
The National Geographic Field Ready program offers one-on-one guidance from seasoned industry experts to early career filmmakers or photographers interested in expanding their skillset to include large-scale natural history, science, exploration, and documentary filmmaking.
The Second Assistant program supports early career photographers who have been historically excluded in the field of technical photography, focusing on women and people of color. The program provides opportunities for participants to assist established photographers in the National Geographic Explorer community on an editorial assignment or larger storytelling project.
Transformative Education
Transformative Education
National Geographic is where education meets exploration. We are transforming the learning experience for young people and the educators who reach them by creating meaningful connections with the important work of our Explorers. Through externships, online courses, and leadership opportunities, we provide students with support and resources to feed their curiosity and inspire them to become the Explorers of tomorrow.
Explorer Classroom
Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship
Externships
Slingshot Challenge
Inspiring a Global Audience
Inspiring a Global Audience
The National Geographic Society supports Explorers around the world who are learning about, caring for, and protecting our planet—and their important work is encouraging millions of people across the globe to do the same. Through signature annual events that showcase the incredible impact of Explorer-led projects, as well as traveling and resident museum exhibitions that connect people more deeply to the wonder of our world, the Society is committed to sparking curiosity, engaging new audiences, and inspiring the Explorer in everyone.
National Geographic Museum
Explorers Festival
Traveling Exhibitions
Storytellers Summit
The Power of Philanthropy
The Power of Philanthropy
Thanks to the generous support of our global community of donors, the National Geographic Society had another record-breaking fundraising year in 2022. Because of incredible contributors like you, the Society and our Explorers are driving impact and transformation around the world, helping to create a healthier planet and a brighter future.
In 2022, the Society generated more than $117.9 million in new commitments, representing the largest fundraising year in our history and a 58 percent increase over the prior year. These donor investments represent a tremendous vote of confidence in the Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world and in the National Geographic Explorers who live that mission every day.
We are deeply grateful to our chairman of the Board of Trustees, Jean Case, and our CEO, Jill Tiefenthaler, for being at the forefront of this historic effort to inspire a global community to learn about, care for, and protect our world.
Home of the Explorer
Home of the Explorer
Financial Summary
Financial Summary
100 percent of donor contributions go to support Explorers and our mission work.
Thank YoU
Thank YoU
Your support of the National Geographic Society allows our global community of Explorers to take on some of the most urgent challenges our planet faces, creating hope for a more sustainable future.
Thank you for being among our community of contributors and for your dedication to our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
About the National Geographic Society
For 135 years, the National Geographic Society has funded the best and brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world. Since our founding in 1888, we’ve stayed true to our original purpose—to pursue and celebrate exploration, scientific excellence, education, and unforgettable storytelling—while evolving to reflect a rapidly changing world. We have embraced innovation and thoughtfully expanded our business model, global reach, commitment to sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. In doing so, we have remained a vibrant, relevant, world-class brand at the forefront of exploration and knowledge.
Today, National Geographic Explorers are continuing to expand the limits of understanding, uncovering new insights about the natural and cultural worlds, and strengthening our connection to our planet and one another.
Learn more about how you can support National Geographic Explorers and the Society’s important work to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Sustainability
The Society’s Sustainability program aims to ensure that our business practices reflect our respect for the people, cultures, and ecosystems that we explore, celebrate, and support through our educational, scientific, and grant-giving programs.
Our Commitment to DEI
National Geographic puts diversity, equity, and inclusion at the heart of all we do. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone benefits from opportunity, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging.
Photo credits from top of page: Thalefang Charles, Mac Stone, Manu San Félix, Joel Sartore, Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Mark Thiessen, Taylor Schuelke, Kiliii Yüyan, Mark Thiessen, Jon Betz, Jean Case, Manu San Félix, Mike Beckner, Grace Kareska, Stephen Alvarez, Nichole Sobecki, Charlie Hamilton James, Jaime Culebras, Charlie Hamilton James (2), Steve Winter, Matthew Abbott, Charlie Hamilton James, Robert Clark, Jasper Doest, Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Mark Thiessen, Meghan Peterson, Eric Guth, Xavier Lorenzo/AdobeStock, Rebecca Hale, Steve Pickard, Sam Kittner, Sirachai Arunrugstichai, Enric Sala, Hickok-Cole Architects (3), Mark Thiessen, André Dib