Elevate Your Impact
Generosity Funds Curiosity, Curiosity Fuels Exploration
We are an impact-driven global nonprofit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas.
We chase the big questions, challenge accepted beliefs, and push the boundaries of knowledge about our world in order to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all. Our ultimate goal is to illuminate and protect our planet, one that provides for humanity and the multitude of other species with which we share the Earth. We believe that meaningful, lasting change for the better is possible — when we work together.
Major Gifts
Leadership Giving
When you make a transformational gift to support our work, you’ll receive exclusive benefits that provide special access to the people, places and work that make up the National Geographic Society.
Donors contributing $10,000-$24,999 annually receive the below outlined benefits. Henson Council benefits will be extended for one year from the date of commitment.
Access
- Complimentary National Geographic Museum of Exploration admissions for you and your family
- Early access to pre-sale tickets
- Early access to reserve tickets for the Immersive Experience
- 10% Museum of Exploration store discount
- 20% discount during membership month (February)
- 20% holiday shopping discount during first or second week of December
- 10% food and beverage discount
- Member card (physical and digital)
- Donors who make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, will receive a special edition member card for use at the museum and a commemorative gift made from salvaged materials from the construction site
Events
- Early access to admission and priority seating for special events in Grosvenor Auditorium if seats are not assigned
- Invitations to the Society’s annual Storytellers Summit (including an invitation to the Principal Donors Society Induction Ceremony and Celebration) and Explorers Festival (including an invitation to the Rolex Explorer of the Year Celebration)
- Invitations to exclusive “Insider Calls” three times per year, featuring programmatic updates directly from National Geographic Explorers and Society staff
- Four annual invitations to join a "from the Archives screening"
Travel
- Access to a dedicated VIP donor phone line at 833-456-0103, connecting you with National Geographic Expeditions to book trips and discuss special experiences with our travel team
Communications
- Quarterly Illuminating Our World newsletter
- Complimentary digital and print subscription to National Geographic magazine, including unlimited digital access, the online archive, exclusive ebooks and popular streaming films
- Printed annual calendar filled with vibrant full-color images that celebrate the wonder of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographers
Recognition
- Recognition on Digital Donor Wall, outside the museum store
- Special recognition in select Society publications, including our annual report
- National Geographic’s official Yellow Border pin
Donors contributing $25,000-$49,999 annually receive the following benefits. Clark Council benefits will be extended for one year from the date of commitment.
Access
- Complimentary National Geographic Museum of Exploration admissions for you and your family
- Early access to pre-sale tickets
- Early access to reserve tickets for the Immersive Experience
- 10% Museum of Exploration store discount
- 20% discount during membership month (February)
- 20% holiday shopping discount during first or second week of December
- 10% food and beverage discount
- Option to arrange one VIP museum visit annually for you and up to four additional guests, including a private tour led by museum team curator or Society programmer from related focus area
- Exclusive access to unique events and exhibits at the museum. Experiences could include:
- Early access to new exhibits (new shows planned for once per year in the main Photography Gallery beginning in 2026; and new shows three to four times per year in the Spotlight Gallery beginning in 2027)
- Private tours of the Exploration Technology Lab
- Member card (physical and digital)
- Donors who make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, will receive a special edition member card for use at the museum and a commemorative gift made from salvaged materials from the construction site
Events
- Early access to admission and priority seating for special events in Grosvenor Auditorium if seats are not assigned
- Invitations to the Society’s annual Storytellers Summit (including an invitation to the Principal Donors Society Induction Ceremony and Celebration) and Explorers Festival (including an invitation to the Rolex Explorer of the Year Celebration)
- Invitations to exclusive “Insider Calls” three times per year, featuring programmatic updates directly from National Geographic Explorers and Society staff
- Four annual invitations to join a "from the Archives screening"
Travel
- Access to a dedicated VIP donor phone line at 833-456-0103, connecting you with National Geographic Expeditions to book trips and discuss special experiences with our travel team
Communications
- Quarterly Illuminating Our World newsletter
- Complimentary digital and print subscription to National Geographic magazine, including unlimited digital access, the online archive, exclusive ebooks and popular streaming films
- Printed annual calendar filled with vibrant full-color images that celebrate the wonder of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographers
Recognition
- Recognition on Digital Donor Wall outside the museum store
- Special recognition in select Society publications, including our annual report
- National Geographic’s official Yellow Border pin
Donors contributing $50,000 or more annually receive the following benefits. Hubbard Council benefits will be extended for one year from the date of commitment.
Access
- Complimentary National Geographic Museum of Exploration admissions for you and your family
- Early access to pre-sale tickets
- Early access to reserve tickets for the Immersive Experience
- 10% Museum of Exploration store discount
- 20% discount during membership month (February)
- 20% holiday shopping discount during first or second week of December
- 10% food and beverage discount
- Option to arrange one VIP museum visit annually for you and up to four additional guests, including a private tour led by museum team curator or Society programmer from related focus area
- Exclusive access to unique events and exhibits at the museum. Experiences could include:
- Early access to new exhibits (new shows planned for once per year in the main Photography Gallery beginning in 2026; and new shows three to four times per year in the Spotlight Gallery beginning in 2027)
- Private tours of the Exploration Technology Lab
- Member card (physical and digital)
- Donors who make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, will receive a special edition member card for use at the museum and a commemorative gift made from salvaged materials from the construction site
Events
- Early access to admission and priority seating for special events in Grosvenor Auditorium if seats are not assigned
- Invitation to exclusive, regional Hubbard Council events, dinners and receptions with Explorers, experts and senior staff
- Invitations to the Society’s annual Storytellers Summit (including an invitation to the Principal Donors Society Induction Ceremony and Celebration) and Explorers Festival (including an invitation to the Rolex Explorer of the Year Celebration)
- VIP invitation to special events throughout the year
- Invitations to exclusive “Insider Calls” three times per year, featuring programmatic updates directly from National Geographic Explorers and Society staff
- Invitation to Hubbard Council virtual annual meeting
- Four annual invitations to join a "from the Archives screening"
Travel
- Invitation to an exclusive, annual Leadership Donor Expedition with National Geographic Explorers, Society leadership and experts*
- Access to a dedicated VIP donor phone line at 833-456-0103, connecting you with National Geographic Expeditions to book trips and discuss special experiences with our travel team
Communications
- Official welcome call from National Geographic Society Chief Executive Officer
- Quarterly Illuminating Our World newsletter
- Regular updates from Society leadership and program leads
- Regular updates on exhibits and museum news
- Complimentary digital and print subscription to National Geographic magazine, including unlimited digital access, the online archive, exclusive ebooks and popular streaming films
- Complimentary gift digital and print subscription to National Geographic magazine
- Printed annual calendar filled with vibrant full-color images that celebrate the wonder of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographers
Recognition
- Recognition on Digital Donor Wall outside the museum store
- Special recognition in select Society publications, including our annual report
- National Geographic’s official Yellow Border pin
*Note: Donor is responsible for the cost of travel for Hubbard Council expeditions and any field visit(s).
Lifetime Giving
Principal Donors Society
The Principal Donors Society is the National Geographic Society’s highest designation for lifetime giving, recognizing donors who have supported the Society through cumulative philanthropic support of $1 million or more (at least $500,000 realized).
- Explorer Level: $50M+
- Visionary Level: $25M-$49.9M
- Changemaker Level: $10M-$24.9M
- Innovator Level: $5M-$9.9M
- Illuminator Level: $2.5M-$4.9M
- Navigator Level: $1M-$2.49M
Principal Donors Society benefits will be extended in perpetuity.
Events
- Invitations to the Society’s annual Storytellers Summit and Explorers Festival (including an invitation to the Rolex Explorer of the Year Celebration)
- VIP invitation to annual Principal Donors Society Induction Ceremony and Celebration
- VIP invitation to special events throughout the year
Communications
- Quarterly Illuminating Our World newsletter
- Regular updates from Society leadership and program leads
- Printed annual calendar filled with vibrant full-color images that celebrate the wonder of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographers
- Custom impact reports (for donors who have contributed to or established endowed funds)
Recognition
- Recognition on Principal Donor Wall outside the Grosvenor Auditorium at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration
- Principal Donors Society Lapel Pin, presented in recognition of your induction and marking your place among the Society’s most generous supporters
- Commemorative Society Recognition Gift, a bespoke token of appreciation presented to celebrate your induction into the Principal Donors Society during your first year of qualification
- Special recognition in select Society publications, including our annual report
Planned Giving
The Alexander Graham Bell Legacy Society
Donors who have included the National Geographic Society in their estate plans through a will, trust, charitable gift annuity or by beneficiary designation of a retirement plan such as an IRA or 401(k) receive the following benefits.
Alexander Graham Bell Legacy Society benefits will be extended in perpetuity.
Access
- One-time complimentary visit for up to four guests to the National Geographic Museum of Exploration upon completion of your AGBS legacy form and within your first year of your AGBS membership. Please be in touch with the Planned Giving team at 800-226-4438 or legacy@ngs.org to plan your visit
Events
- Virtual invitations to livestreaming of the Society’s annual Storytellers Summit and Explorers Festival
Communications
- Explore Tomorrow newsletter, which contains financial planning ideas for friends of the Society
- For charitable gift annuity donors: complimentary digital and print subscription to National Geographic magazine, including unlimited digital access, the online archive, exclusive ebooks and popular streaming films
- Printed annual calendar filled with vibrant full-color images that celebrate the wonder of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographers
Recognition
- National Geographic’s official Yellow Border pin and luggage tag
- Special recognition in select Society publications, including our annual report (with an option to remain fully anonymous)
- Personalized membership certificate
Los Angeles, Feb. 7, 2024: Principal Donor Society Dinner and Induction Ceremony during National Geographic Storytellers Summit 2024 at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion.
Abram Eric Landes
Get In Touch
Together we can change the world.
Leadership Giving team members welcome the opportunity to discuss benefits, recognition and engagements with the Henson, Clark and Hubbard Councils as well as the Principal Donors and Alexander Graham Bell Legacy Societies. Please be in touch to discuss how to make a difference.
The National Geographic Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our federal tax identification number is 53-0193519.
AdvancementNational Geographic Society1600 M St. NWWashington, D.C. 20036
"It’s an incredible honor to know that the National Geographic Society will be a part of my lasting legacy and that they will continue to spark curiosity in future generations."
Donald Martin
Alexander Graham Bell Legacy Society member