The National Geographic Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1888 that funds and supports a global community of Explorers - scientists, photographers, educators, and conservation professionals - working across 140 countries. The organization advances scientific discovery, conservation, and education through grants, field research programs, and storytelling initiatives focused on six areas: ocean, land, wildlife, human histories and cultures, planetary health, and space.
The Society operates with a distinctive funding model: 100% of every donation goes directly to Explorers and programs. This structure is sustained through a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company, which provides the nonprofit with a stable revenue base while preserving its organizational integrity. With over 6,000 Explorers in the network, the organization orchestrates large-scale research and conservation efforts alongside media partnerships that amplify findings to global audiences.
Work spans multiple domains including field research, ocean and wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, media production, and scientific education. The organization funds both individual Explorers undertaking discrete projects and larger conservation programs designed to achieve measurable real-world environmental and social impact. Education and outreach initiatives aim to inspire and educate the next generation through exploration-centered storytelling and science.
