In 1888, 33 prominent men from Washington, D.C.'s scientific and intellectual circles convened to form the National Geographic Society.

Gardiner Greene Hubbard, National Geographic's first president, was a lawyer and businessman, but he was also a scholar, philanthropist, and patron of science. He understood that if the new Society were to succeed in its mission of "increasing and diffusing geographic knowledge," it could not rely solely on the deeds of its explorers. It must also depend on individuals able to sustain those efforts—individuals, from all walks of life, willing to help shoulder the burden so that, as Hubbard explained, "we may all know more about the world upon which we live."

Today the work of National Geographic—inspiring people to care about the planet—is more important than ever. And Gardiner Greene Hubbard continues to be remembered as the founding father and guiding spirit of our organization.

The Gardiner Greene Hubbard Society honors donors who have included National Geographic in their estate plans through a will, trust, charitable gift annuity, or beneficiary designation of their retirement plans such as an IRA or 401(k). Bequests and other legacy gifts from the dedicated members of this group fund National Geographic’s conservation, exploration, research, and education efforts around the world.

Members of the Gardiner Greene Hubbard Society enjoy the following benefits:

• Invitations to exclusive receptions, exhibitions, and lectures in Washington, D.C., and across the U.S.
• A personalized membership certificate celebrating your dedication to the National Geographic Society
• The Society's gift-planning newsletter, Exploring Tomorrow, with financial and planning ideas for friends of National Geographic
• Recognition in National Geographic Mission Programs' annual report

If you already have included us in your estate plans, please let us know by completing the Gardiner Greene Hubbard Society Application Form (PDF) and mailing it to our office using the address below. If you wish to have a confidential conversation with one of our planned giving officers about an estate gift option that would work best with your specific goals, please contact the Office of Gift Planning directly.

Download the Gardiner Greene Hubbard Society Application Form (PDF).