Partner with Purpose
Why support NCGE?
Since 1915, NCGE has been the leading organization advocating for and advancing geography education in partnership with the teaching professionals of the United States.
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NCGE provides an important voice for the subject and ensures that there are purposeful and productive collaborations linking research, professional practice, and instruction in the field of geography. NCGE is a community of professionals who care deeply about providing quality geographic education from kindergarten to college. With experienced and invested leadership, a youthful membership, and a focused vision, NCGE is ready to keep geography woven into the fabric of US education far into the future!
Why invest in geography education?
Geography education provides knowledge, skills, and perspectives that are vitally important for all students
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The discipline’s perspectives and analysis skills are tremendously valuable in a world where big data can be brought to bear on complex and interconnected challenges to achieve peace, justice, and sustainability for people and places across the planet. Geography is integrative and connective across all subjects. It encompasses the science of Earth’s environment, and it’s spatial and ecological perspectives provide crucial grounding to the social sciences and humanities. Attention to geography and place can infuse education with meaningful connection to everyday life and personal experiences, inspiring stewardship and civic involvement in diverse contexts.
How can you contribute to Geography for the Future?
Join the Leadership Circle
Donors who join the Leadership Circle by making a planned gift or donation of at least $2,500 can choose to designate their contribution toward the Endowment for Geography Education to help guarantee long-term sustainability. Learn more about the many options available
Become a Sponsor
Support NCGE’s mission and gain visibility among educators, researchers, and advocates who care deeply about geography education. Our sponsorship opportunities provide meaningful ways to connect your brand with professionals across the country.
Make a Donation
Your donation today helps teachers benefit from NCGE programs like the annual conference, teacher professional learning webinars, and travel experiences.
Donate by Check
Prefer to send funds by mail and avoid processing fees?
Mail checks to:
National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE)
16501 Shady Grove Rd
Unit 7282
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-9954
Pay online
Make a secure donation online
using your credit card, PayPal, or
Venmo. Processing fees apply to
online transactions.
Create a Legacy of Leadership for Geography Education
Planned giving allows you to make a significant impact on the future of geographic education while also achieving your personal financial and philanthropic goals. Discover how you can leave a lasting legacy with the National Council for Geographic Education.
Charitable Bequests
A bequest is one of the most popular and straightforward ways to make a planned gift. By including a simple provision in your will or living trust, you can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate to the National Council for Geographic Education. This allows you to retain full control of your assets during your lifetime and is fully revocable if your circumstances change.
Simple & Flexible: Easily updated and requires no changes to your current lifestyle.
Potential Tax Benefits: May reduce your taxable estate, providing a benefit for your heirs.
Lasting Legacy: A powerful way to leave a significant mark on a cause you care about.
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA)
A CGA is a simple contract where you make a gift of cash or securities to NCGE and, in return, receive fixed, regular payments for life. The payments are based on your age at the time of the gift. A portion of your gift is tax-deductible in the year you make the donation, and a portion of the payments you receive may also be tax-free.
- Guaranteed Income: Receive stable payments for the rest of your life.
- Significant Tax Deduction: Benefit from an immediate income tax deduction.
- Support a Mission: The remaining assets will support NCGE’s mission after your lifetime.
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT)
A CRT is a powerful tool for converting highly appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate, into a lifetime income stream. You transfer the asset to a trust, which sells it tax-free. The trust then pays you or other beneficiaries income for life or a set term. When the trust terminates, the remaining assets go to NCGE.
- Convert Assets: Turn appreciated property into a source of income without paying capital gains tax.
- Flexible Payments: Choose between a fixed income (CRAT) or a variable income (CRUT).
- Secure Your Legacy: Ensure a significant gift is made to NCGE for its long-term stability.
Gifts of Life Insurance & Retirement Plans
You can designate the National Council for Geographic Education as a full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy or retirement plan (e.g., IRA, 401(k)). This is a very simple and powerful way to make a future gift. These assets are often heavily taxed if left to heirs, but a non-profit organization can receive the full amount tax-free.
- Simple to Set Up: Requires a simple form from your plan administrator.
- Tax-Efficient Giving: Bypass significant income and estate taxes on these assets.
- No Immediate Cost: Make a large future gift without impacting your current income.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Donating appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, is a highly tax-efficient way to give. By transferring the securities directly to NCGE, you can avoid paying capital gains taxes on the appreciated value and still receive a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value of the gift.
- Avoid Capital Gains: Eliminate capital gains taxes on the appreciated value of your securities.
- Maximize Impact: Your full gift goes to the mission without a tax burden.
- Easy Process: Simple to transfer from your brokerage account.
Gifts of Real Estate
A gift of real estate, such as a personal residence, vacation home, or undeveloped land, can be a great way to make a significant contribution. You can receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the property and may avoid capital gains taxes. You also have the option of a ‘retained life estate,’ where you gift the property but continue to use it for the remainder of your life, receiving an immediate tax deduction.
- Significant Impact: Turn a highly appreciated asset into a meaningful gift.
- Avoids Taxes: No capital gains taxes and a potential income tax deduction.
- Retained Life Estate: Continue to use the property after the gift is made.
Charitable Lead Trusts (CLT)
A Charitable Lead Trust works in the opposite way of a Charitable Remainder Trust. You transfer assets to an irrevocable trust, which provides a regular income stream to NCGE for a set number of years. When the trust term ends, the remaining assets, including any appreciation, are returned to you or your designated heirs. This is an excellent way to reduce or eliminate estate and gift taxes on assets you wish to pass on to your family.
- Tax-Advantaged Transfer: Reduce estate and gift taxes on assets for your heirs.
- Regular Support: Provides a reliable stream of income to NCGE.
- Retain Control: You or your heirs eventually receive the remaining assets.
Ready to Make a Lasting Impact?
Planned giving is an important personal decision, so we recommend consulting with your attorney, financial advisor, or estate planner to determine the best option for you and your family. We can provide you with more information or put you in touch with an independent personal finance expert who can discuss the benefits of different approaches.
Partner with NCGE through Annual Sponsorships
Support NCGE’s mission and gain visibility among educators, researchers, and advocates who care deeply about geography education. Our annual sponsorship opportunities provide meaningful ways to connect your brand with thousands of professionals across the country.
Gold Sponsor
$20,000+
Position your organization as a premier leader in supporting geography education with our highest level of recognition and visibility.
- Recognition (logo + link) on the website home page as Gold LevelSupporter for a period of one year
- Recognition as title sponsor at one annual conference and on all webinars for one year
- Annual memberships + annual conference registration for up to 10 staff members
- Opportunity to program up to 6 webinars throughout the year
Silver Sponsor
$10,000
Demonstrate your commitment to educators and students nationwide with strong year-round recognition and engagement opportunities.
- Recognition (logo + link) on website home page as Silver-Level Supporter for a period of one year
- Recognition at annual conference as major sponsor.
- Annual memberships for up to 5 staff members + 2 annual conference registrations
- Opportunity to program up to 3 webinars throughout the year
Conference Sponsor
$5,000
Highlight your support at NCGE’s Annual Conference, the leading gathering for geography educators and professionals.
- Recognition (logo + link) on website home page as Conference Sponsor
- Recognition at annual conference as a supporting sponsor
- Annual memberships for up to 5 staff members + 2 annual conference registrations.
Friends of Geography Education (Flexible)
This entry-level sponsorship is an accessible way to show your commitment while staying connected to NCGE’s mission year-round.
- Recognition (brand logo/image + link) in NCGE e-newsletters and/or during NCGE programs as supporter of geography education
