Find Nonprofit and Small Business Grants

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to USA, Canada, and International experienced project leaders for projects in the areas of education, conservation, storytelling, research, or technology. Proposals are expected to demonstrate successful completion of similar projects with tangible and measurable results. National Geographic Society funded projects should be bold, innovative, and transformative. All proposed projects must be novel and exploratory and align with National Geographic's mission and the following focus areas:

Wildlife: Wildlife includes species-focused projects and the local evolutionary and ecological processes that sustain them. Although extinction is a natural part of evolution, the current accelerated loss of species means that novel approaches and solutions are needed that support biological diversity and abundance. This area of focus supports projects that seek to discover and identify species and ecosystems and to mitigate threats to Earth’s life forms. Projects will improve understanding of biological diversity, including behavior, life history, evolution, ecology, and habitat requirements.

Human journey: Human Journey focuses on learning more about who we are and what our future will be on this planet. It supports projects in a range of fields that are helping us understand the origins and development of our species; how we modified and adapted to diverse landscapes across the globe; the evolution of cultures and societies; and the current status of and trends in our cultural, linguistic, and genetic diversity. Recognizing that human society is currently out of balance with the natural world, the Funding Source seeks projects that propose solutions to mitigate this imbalance.

Changing planet: Changing Planet grants focus on our Earth's dynamic terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. These are the foundations of life on the planet, yet are increasingly threatened by exploitation, mismanagement, and climate change. Projects are sought that illuminate these issues to better inform decision making and to develop more effective models for conservation and protected area management at large scales. This area of focus seeks to reduce negative human impacts on ecosystems and Earth processes by increasing knowledge, inspiring action, and creating solutions with direct, quantifiable, and scalable methods for conserving landscapes or seascapes.

Further information about the focus areas and the project fields can be seen at:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/grants/our-focus