National Geographic Society

Analysis

National Geographic Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1938, 88 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education, which this site groups under education and training. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, National Geographic Society reported income of $232.0m and spending of $212.7m, spending 92% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $104.7m to $232.0m (+122%), an average of +22% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 189%. Over the whole period it spent 113% of the income it received.

Among 66,972 United States charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, National Geographic Society sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Roger Williams University ($232.0m), Clarkson University ($233.4m) and Trinity University ($230.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 39% and program service revenue 1.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $7.2m (3.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $56.9m. It paid $5.5m in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $1.87bn against liabilities of $320.2m, net assets of $1.55bn. It reported 671 employees.