Ocean-Exploration-and-Discovery-National-Geographic-Society-_12625 type: exa:news title: Applications Invited for Level I Grants - Ocean Exploration and Discovery type: exa:news title: The National Geographic Society and PepsiCo Fund Global ... type: exa:news title: "Grain Journal | The National Geographic Society and PepsiCo Fund\u2026" type: exa:news title: Grants and Investments - National Geographic Society
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0B
+8.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.9M
+7.9% YoY
Grant Count
74
+15.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$120K
-6.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Strategic Approach: The organization invests in a global community of changemakers through four key pillars:
- Bold Explorers — Funding a global community of Explorers who investigate, test hypotheses, innovate, and push the boundaries of traditional thinking
- Impactful Programs — Supporting and cultivating Explorer-led programs within six focus areas
- Connection & Education — Leveraging global expertise, platforms, and convening power to inspire educators, youth, and future Explorers
- Responsible Stewardship — Operating an innovative business model that invests 100% of donations directly to Explorers and programs
Six Focus Areas:
- Ocean
- Land
- Wildlife
- Human Histories & Cultures
- Planetary Health
- Space
Grantmaking
The National Geographic Society funds a diverse portfolio of Explorer-led initiatives. Typical grant awards range from $5,000 to $3,092,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The National Geographic Society funds work primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a global reach across 43 countries including India, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Revenue: $209 million
- Expenses: $221 million
- Total Assets: $2.04 billion
- Total Liabilities: $333 million
Historical Financial Data (2021-2022):
- 2022 Revenue: $157,560,446
- 2022 Expenses: $188,921,145
- 2022 Assets: $1,467,816,428
- 2021 Revenue: $203,876,504
- 2021 Expenses: $141,186,606
- 2021 Assets: $2,037,588,957
Total Funding: $728 million (includes corporate and grant funding)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,036,115,001 | $1,872,730,796 | $1,790,673,716 |
| Revenue | $209,304,518 | $231,981,168 | $157,560,446 |
| Expenses | $220,522,212 | $212,737,237 | $188,921,145 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $102,326,490 | $119,703,101 | $63,617,377 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from National Geographic Society
American Keystone Species Grant
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Building Resilience in Agriculture RFP Grant
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Amount
Up to US $150,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet- Level I grants Grant
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Regents Of The University Of California ($576,409), Blue Grass Community Foundation ($444,427), Great Plains Conservation Foundation ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| African People & Wildlife Fund Inc | Wildlife Conservation | $50,800 |
| Alaska Whale Foundation | Ocean Conservation | $100,000 |
| Aocean Conservation Morgan Foundation | Education Grant | $7,500 |
| Amazon Frontlines | Education Grant | $100,000 |
| Archaeology in the Community | Education Grant | $256,270 |
| Aurora Lights | Education Grant | $42,600 |
| Ancient Art Archive | Storytelling Grant | $40,000 |
| Arizona State University | Perpetual Planet - Rainforest Expeditions | $6,120 |
| Blue Grass Community Foundation | Education Grant | $444,427 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation | Education Grant | $57,458 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jill Tiefenthaler | CEO | 45 | $2,039,099 |
| Afsaneh Beschloss | Trustee | 4 | — |
| Angel Cabrera | TRUSTEE | 4 | $9,124 |
| ANTHONY A WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 4 | $6,200 |
| BRENDAN P BECHTEL | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| Claudia Madrazo | Trustee | 4 | — |
| Deborah Lehr | Trustee | 4 | — |
| Dina Powell McCormick | Trustee | 4 | — |
| ELLEN R STOFAN | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| Evan G Greenberg | Trustee | 4 | $6,200 |
| FREDERICK J RYAN JR | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| GEORGE MUNOZ | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| JEAN CASE | Chairman | 4 | $6,200 |
| John K Delaney | Trustee | 4 | — |
| JOSEPH M DESIMONE | TRUSTEE | 4 | $6,200 |
| Kate Brandt | Trustee | 4 | $6,200 |
| Katherine Bradley | Vice Chairman | 4 | $6,200 |
| Kevin J Maroni | Trustee | 4 | — |
| Mark Moore | Trustee | 4 | $6,200 |
| Nancy Pfund | Trustee | 4 | $6,200 |
| RAJIV SHAH | TRUSTEE | 4 | $6,200 |
| Sandesh Kadur | Trustee | 4 | $50,909 |
| Strive Masiyiwa | TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| ANGELA TAYLOR | INTERIM CFO JAN-APR | 45 | $348,201 |
| Darien Wright | CFO & COO | 45 | $445,068 |
| Sumeet Seam | Chief Legal Officer | 45 | $586,464 |
| Crystal Brown | Chief Communications Officer | 45 | $592,929 |
| Deborah Grayson | Chief Education Officer | 45 | $416,972 |
| EMILY DUNHAM | CHIEF CAMPUS AND EXPERIENCES OFFICER | 45 | $379,562 |
| Ian Miller | Chief Science & Innovation Officer | 45 | $562,822 |
| Jason Southern | Chief Technology Officer | 45 | $382,786 |
| Kara Ramirez Mullins | Chief Advancement Officer | 45 | $631,692 |
| Kim Waldron | Chief of Staff & Program Alignment | 45 | $427,107 |
| Mara Dell | Chief Human Resources Officer | 45 | $476,117 |
| Shannon Bartlett | Chief Community Engagement & Social Impact Officer | 45 | $342,479 |
| Alex Moen | Chief Explorer & Engagement Officer | 45 | $388,550 |
| Enric Sala | Explorer in Residence | 45 | $437,600 |
| John Coombe | Director, Investments | 45 | $520,886 |
| Kaitlin Yarnall | Chief Storytelling Officer & SVP | 45 | $391,114 |
| Kristi Craig | Chief Investment Officer | 45 | $1,159,875 |
| MICHAEL ULICA | Former PRESIDENT/COO/TREASURER | 45 | $840,287 |
| Robert Young | CFO | 45 | $111,236 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The National Geographic Society announced $1.3 million in awards for collaborative Explorer projects in 2026. The organization also partnered with PepsiCo to fund global research aimed at accelerating regenerative agriculture.
National Geographic Awards $1.3M for Collaborative Explorer Projects | 2026The organization is opening the National Geographic Museum of Exploration in June 2026, designed to spark a lifetime of wonder.
National Geographic Awards $1.3M for Collaborative Explorer Projects | 2026Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Geographic Society fund?
**Mission Statement:** The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. **Strategic Approach:** The organization invests in a global community of changemakers through four key pillars: • **Bold Explorers** — Funding a global community of Explorers who investigate, test hypotheses, innovate, and push the boundaries of traditional thinking • **Impactful Programs** — Supporting and cultivating Exp…
How do I apply for a grant from National Geographic Society?
The National Geographic Society funds a diverse portfolio of Explorer-led initiatives. Typical grant awards range from $5,000 to $3,092,000. **Active Grant Opportunities Include:** • American Keystone Species Grant • Building Resilience in Agriculture RFP • Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet (Level I and Level II grants) • Extreme Weather and Natural Hazards Solutions • Enduring Impacts: Archaeology of Sustainability The organization's grant-making focuses on education, philanthropy, volu…
Where does National Geographic Society make grants?
The National Geographic Society funds work primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a global reach across 43 countries including India, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
What size grants does National Geographic Society award?
In 2024, National Geographic Society awarded 74 grants totaling $8.9M — an average of about $120K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Geographic Society's EIN?
National Geographic Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0193519. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Geographic Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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