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National Geographic Society

National Geographic

National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is more than magazines and TV stations. Did you know that is has been protecting our planet for more than 125 years? They are involved in many different activities listed below. We are proud to support them!

From the National Geographic Society’s Website

The National Geographic Society has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888. It is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation. We are involved in so many aspects including:

Exploration

Our programs in field-based research, conservation, exploration, and education continue to provide the world with scientific breakthroughs and discoveries that inspire people everywhere to care about our planet. This work would not be possible without the generosity of donors like you. Philanthropic support helps to protect endangered species, preserve disappearing cultures, discover solutions to the new challenges we face, provide education, and so much more. These projects—often featured in National Geographic magazine and on the National Geographic channels—help us better understand and care for our world. Every gift makes a difference.

Education

The National Geographic Education Foundation was founded in 1988 on the occasion of National Geographic’s centennial. Its mission is to promote and advance geographic education. Housed in the Education Program’s Division of National Geographic, the Foundation oversees endowments that totaled more than $150 million in 2011. The income from these endowments is used to support professional development for teachers, the creation and dissemination of educational resources, activities to boost public awareness of the importance of geography education, and advocacy for public policies that will lead to improvements in geography education. Since its founding in 1988, the Foundation has awarded more than $80 million in grants.

Funded Activities 

Currently, Foundation funds support the following activities:

Educational Materials and Professional Development. Foundation funds enable National Geographic Education to create and distribute high-quality educational materials for educators and learners. They also enable us to offer professional development programs for classroom teachers and other educators.

The Geography Alliance Network. The Foundation supports the National Geographic Network of Alliances for Geographic Education. Alliances are partnerships between university faculty and K-12 teachers that offer professional development opportunities for educators, offer professional communities for geography educators, and promote educational innovation at state and local levels. The Foundation supports Alliances in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Policy Reform. National Geographic is working with educators and policymakers at state and national levels to establish policies that will improve geographic education. These include efforts to strengthen standards and assessments, and to increase funding for efforts to improve geographic education. An important focus of this Policy Initiative in 2010-11 is pending federal legislation to establish dedicated federal funding for geography education.

Public Awareness. The focus of the Foundation’s awareness efforts is Geography Awareness Week. Launched in 1987 by a joint resolution of congress, Geography Awareness Week is an annual opportunity for families and schools to engage in exciting educational experiences that draw attention to geography and the importance of geographic understanding for all citizens.

The Alliance Network is the Education Foundation’s only external grantmaking program at this time. Alliance grants are by invitation only. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, however we welcome ideas for future funding programs. Interested organizations are invited to submit suggestions to the Education Foundation by email at [email protected] or mail.

Conservation

The Conservation Trust is a grant program that supports innovative solutions to conservation challenges and issues of global concern. The Trust encourages projects with a strong emphasis on conservation science. In particular, it seeks to support those projects that test and critically evaluate alternative approaches to conservation. Projects that hold potential as media subject matter are also encouraged, as National Geographic’s vast audience offers our grantees opportunities to make a broad public impact.

Program Background

By the end of the last century, the National Geographic Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration had distributed more than 170 million dollars in research grants worldwide. But as the new century dawned, National Geographic recognized the need for a new kind of grant program, one with a special emphasis on conservation. In March of 2001, the Conservation Trust gave its first grant—to botanist Nalini Nadkarni for her unique, outreach-oriented forest canopy studies. The Conservation Trust has awarded 212 grants since its inception in 2001, totaling 6.4 million dollars. The Trust awarded 15 grants in 2011 at a total of $250,914.

Sustainability

The National Geographic Society aims to be an international leader for global conservation and environmental sustainability. Leading by example, the Society has developed green initiatives related to water, energy, recycling, and employee programs that are in line with its mission to inspire people to care about the planet.

Grants for Exploration and Conservation

Since 1888, National Geographic has supported exploration and discovery, bringing gems like Machu Picchu, undersea wonders, and new species to light. Our programs in field-based research, conservation, exploration, and education continue to provide the world with scientific breakthroughs and discoveries that inspire people everywhere to care about our planet. Today, a new generation of National Geographic explorers are redefining exploration.

To visit the National Geographic website, please click here.

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