The National Geographic Society is coming off its most prolific fundraising year ever with $122.8 million in new commitments secured during 2023, leaders announced.
It was the third record-breaking year in a row for the organization’s fundraising, representing a 4% increase compared to the 2022 total ($117.9 million) that eclipsed last year’s 3.4% inflation rate. The amount raised also represented a 65% increase from the 2021 total ($74.6 million).
There were 16 new commitments of $1 million or more, 81 new commitments of $100,000 or more, and a 30% increase in donors pledging $50,000. Every member of the board of trustees and senior leadership team gave as well.
“This achievement underscores our community’s belief in our mission and vision for the future,” CEO Jill Tiefenthaler said via a statement.
The ongoing support by individuals, corporations and foundations will enable continued upgrades to the society’s “Base Camp” headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as the continuation of programs such as National Geographic Explorers. Through the Explorers program, the society has issued more than 15,000 grants to exceptional individuals around the world engaged in science, education, and exploration related to their fields of expertise. Millions more people worldwide are also impacted through its other educational programs including its signature National Geographic magazine, which it has published continuously since 1888.
The 136-year-old society is in the midst of a five-year strategic plan, NG Next, launched in June 2021. Key planks of it call for building on the society’s past while charting a path forward that “embeds diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of our work, and sets a clear vision for the future to drive significant impact.”
As part of the growth plans, the society last year also launched its Principal Donors Society to honor lifetime giving by individuals, corporations, and foundations of $1 million or more. A total of 65 donors were inducted last year with 11 more set to be added when the next induction celebration takes place Feb. 7 in Los Angeles.
