Why National Geographic Society
FY2025 · Form 990Its mission and biggest programs, as filedFunds global exploration, scientific research, and educational programs to protect the planet and inspire classrooms through storytelling, science, and geographic knowledge.
- 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…$90.9M spent in FY2025
- 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$67M spent in FY2025
- 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…$25.8M spent in FY2025
Before you apply
FY2024 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the orgPays its leaders
$433K–$1.5M
12 officers reported
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt VII · Sec A
Budget
$220.5M
spent in FY2024
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt I · Ln 18
Staff
753
employees
24 volunteers
Fine: from the org's Form 990.
Pt I · Ln 5–6
Spent on programs
77%
of spending
Looks good: 77% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Surplus or deficit
−5%
of revenue, FY2024
Concern: revenue was below expenses in the latest filing.
Pt I · Ln 19
Cash reserves
93 mo
of spending, in cash and securities
Looks good: 92.7 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Latest return
FY2024
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2024, 2 tax years back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file
IRS status
501(c)(3)
tax-exempt since 1938
Looks good: listed by the IRS.
IRS BMF
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernTap a box for the reason.
About National Geographic Society
From its Form 990- Budget $340.5M · Education
- Staff 753 · founded 1888
- Pays its leaders $433K–$1.5M (12 reported)
- Open jobs 29 · Jobs at National Geographic Society · Full 990 report