National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit scientific and educational organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded in 1888, its core mission is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge, and to illuminate and protect the wonder of the world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling.

The Society primarily focuses on funding scientific research, exploration, and education initiatives, supporting an international community of "Explorers" who are leading scientists, educators, storytellers, and conservationists through grants and impact investments. While the Society is a non-profit, its commercial ventures, including the iconic National Geographic magazine, television channels, books, maps, and other media products, are managed by National Geographic Partners, LLC. This is a joint venture in which The Walt Disney Company holds a 73% stake and the National Geographic Society retains 27%. A portion of National Geographic Partners' net profits is distributed to the Society to fund its mission-driven work. The Society also operates the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

Jill Tiefenthaler serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Geographic Society, with Jean M. Case as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In recent news, the Society, in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions, announced the 2026 Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship cohort in April 2026, marking the program's 20th anniversary. Also in April 2026, a National Geographic Society-funded study was unveiled, proposing a new model for education to protect wildlife. The National Geographic Museum of Exploration at its Washington, D.C. headquarters is currently undergoing renovations and is slated to open in 2026, aiming to provide expanded museum space and immersive experiences.