Since launching in 2008, the iNaturalist team and organization has evolved. iNaturalist began as a master’s project at the University of California, Berkeley, became a LLC, then joined the California Academy of Sciences in 2014. In 2017, iNaturalist became a joint initiative with the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. We thank the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society for incubating iNaturalist as it grew dramatically over the last 9 years. We owe immense gratitude to these partners for their investment, support, and stewardship. Today, iNaturalist is now an independent, US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we’re thrilled about this next milestone.

iNaturalist's incubation at the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society was under a series of 3-year agreements beginning in 2014. This timing is the result of many months of preparation and coordination that coincides with the end of the third, 3-year agreement.

Not substantially. For the last 6 years, most of iNaturalist's revenue has come from a combination of philanthropies such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, donations from the iNaturalist community, and in-kind support from companies like Google and Amazon. This will continue as an independent organization. We've secured new philanthropic funding and will continue to cultivate new sources of funding to support future growth.

No. We are not planning any platform changes as a result of the organizational change other than removal of logos, but we will continue to refine the apps in the future to create new ways for you to explore the world around you.

Yes. iNaturalist and Seek will always be free to use.

Yes, your data is safe and we will never sell it. We will continue to follow the strict protocols we always have to ensure data security.

It’s the same team, plus a board fully focused on iNaturalist. You can read more about everyone here.

Yes, we look forward to continuing our partnerships with our international network.

It can take some time for Apple and Google to approve app updates, so these changes will be slightly delayed. We'll release the updates as soon as possible.

You can easily donate online or check out other ways to give.

Yes, iNaturalist is a 501c3 nonprofit (EIN 92-1296468) and your donations are U.S. tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law just as before.

iNaturalist does not have tax-exempt status anywhere outside the United States, but many of the members of the international network do, if you would like to support them directly.

It will say “iNaturalist” instead of “California Academy of Sciences” on your statements.

Credit or debit card/Stripe/Apple Pay/Google Pay/ACH bank transfer

We temporarily paused all non-PayPal recurring gifts on June 30 to transition our payment processors. If it normally would have occurred between July 1-11, it will happen once we restart the plans and resume the regular day of the month going forward. As usual, you will receive an email from Donorbox once your recurring donation is complete.

PayPal

Unfortunately, PayPal recurring donations cannot be transferred between accounts and were canceled on June 30 by the California Academy of Sciences. Soon you will receive an email with details to restart your donation at the same frequency, currency, and amount as before. You are also welcome to make changes based on what works best for you going forward.

Yes. We have paused the syncing process during this transition period so that the badges will stay on profiles for Monthly Supporters.

Please look iNaturalist up using the new Tax ID/EIN: 92-1296468. We’re working to get updated information with Benevity, Cybergrants, and YourCause/NPOconnect. If you have any questions, please contact matching@inaturalist.org.

We are excited to make it easier to donate stock, from Donor Advised Funds, from IRAs for Qualified Charitable Distributions, and to leave a legacy gift for iNaturalist as a beneficiary or in your will or trust. Please check out our page dedicated to these powerful ways to give.

Please email donations@inaturalist.org with more details if you are concerned about this scenario.

We are working to make the transition as smooth as possible. Please email matching@inaturalist.org with more details if you are concerned about this scenario.

Great! You need to update the designation to just “iNaturalist” and the Tax ID/EIN to 92-1296468. Please fill out this form to let us know about your planned gift.

That is a former name of the independent nonprofit now called iNaturalist. A placeholder name was needed until the name iNaturalist officially transferred to the new organization. It may take some time for the name to update in different places.