The National Geospatial Collaborative is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that is registered in the State of Texas.
2023
The National Geospatial Collaborative (NGC) was established through the visionary efforts of the 2023 National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) Board, whose foresight, commitment, and ongoing support remain integral to NGC’s mission and impact.
In May 2023, the NSGIC Board of Directors embarked on a significant endeavor by initiating the formation of NGC with the mission to advance the understanding, use, and integration of geographic information systems (GIS) and associated emerging technologies by supporting geospatial professionals, organizations, and initiatives through collaborative research, education, knowledge-sharing, and strategic partnerships.
The inception of NGC was marked by the appointment of the Founding NGC Board meticulously curated to ensure representation from diverse sectors and expertise, comprising of Tim Johnson, the North Carolina GIO; Sheila Steffenson, CEO of 1Spatial; Jenna Leveille, Past-President of NSGIC. In its inaugural year, the Founding Board of NGC played a pivotal role in shaping NGC’s mission, establishing governance structures, and laying the groundwork for future growth and success.
2024
2024 was a year of firsts and significant growth for the National Geospatial Collaborative (NGC), particularly in the organization’s
foundational elements. In January 2024, Jonathan Duran assumed the pivotal role of NGC Board President, and nominations from the NSGIC community led to the appointment of additional directors, including Bill Johnson, Retired (2-year term, 2024-2025), Eric Kolb, Google Maps (2-year term, 2024-2025), Jenna Leveille, Sanborn (2-year term, 2024-2025) and Frank Winters, Retired (1-year term, 2024) , joining the Founding Board, Tim Johnson, NC (2-year term, 2023-2024), and Sheila Steffenson, 1Spatial, (2-year term, 2023-2024), to complete NGC's full seven-member board. The appointed directors represented a combined 233 years of professional experience in the geospatial industry and brought a wealth of personal knowledge and insights to the organization. During the first board meeting of 2024, the board appointed Jenna Leveille as Vice Chair, Dan Ross (Retired) as Treasurer, and Susan Miller (GA) as Secretary.
Key 2024 Highlights
Support from Overture Maps Foundation
In March, the National Geospatial Collaborative received a $20,000 show of support from Overture Maps Foundation for collaborative efforts to advance and operationalize the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). NGC and its Board are committed to utilizing these funds effectively and efficiently and investing these funds, prioritizing both immediacy and strategic prudence, to make tangible progress toward our shared goals. We value Overture Maps Foundation’s generous support and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with them and other stakeholders to drive momentum in NSDI advancement as well as working towards making beneficial changes for the broader geospatial community.
2024 Strategic Plan
On March 28-29, 2024, in Arlington, VA, the National Geospatial Collaborative’s (NGC) Board of Directors held an in-person meeting focusing on creating the strategic direction for the organization. Kate Hickey, Chief Operating Officer of The Sanborn Map Company, Inc., generously offered her time and expertise to facilitate the session and guide the NGC Board through the strategic planning process. During the meeting, the NGC Board looked to gain insight into the current state of NGC, pinpoint areas of common ground and divergence, and subsequently develop the organization's vision, establish goals for the upcoming year, outline tactical steps to achieve those goals, and formulate a rubric for evaluating potential initiatives. The resulting vision statement, "To boldly pursue a more effective geospatial ecosystem," reflects NGC's commitment to:
NSDI Strategic Visioning Session
The National Geospatial Collaborative (NGC) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) supported the inaugural NSDI Strategic Visioning Session that took place on March 28-29, 2024, in Arlington, VA. This session brought together representatives from the stakeholder groups identified in the Geospatial Data Act of 2018 (GDA) for the purpose of setting a modern vision for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. Individuals representing federal, state, local, tribal, academic, non-profit, and private entities gathered to engage in dialogue, generate momentum, and drive essential governance changes forward collectively. NGC played an integral role financially in making sure all stakeholder groups were able to attend the discussions to accelerate NSDI implementations.
By supporting the NSDI Strategic Visioning Session, the NGC had a distinctive opportunity to propel NSDI endeavors forward by fostering collaboration among geospatial stakeholders. This engagement aligns NGC with other entities driving momentum in NSDI advancement, while also serving as a testament to NGC’s commitment to working toward making beneficial changes for the broader geospatial community. Supporting efforts to accelerate NSDI implementations also aligns with the priorities of Overture Maps Foundation, a financial supporter of NGC, and demonstrates that NGC is promptly investing the allocated funds, prioritizing both immediacy and strategic prudence.
Go Boldly - NGC’s Inaugural LinkedIn Post
On May 1st, NGC posted its first LinkedIn blog, "Go Boldly", authored by NGC Board Director, Bill Johnson. NGC is excited to broaden its communication channels, share updates, and keep the community informed about our journey and latest developments.
#GoBoldly
GeoGov Summit
NGC was invited to be a supporting partner of the GeoGov Summit taking place in Herndon, VA from September 10-12, 2024. GeoGov Summit 2024 serves as an annual event to convene a high-level and forward-looking G2G and G2B forum to advance our national geospatial ecosystem for National Development. Leaders and experts from across government, industry, NGOs, academia, and research come together to identify and explore opportunities to enhance the national geospatial strategy, to collaboratively map out solutions to improve data and decision-support capability and capacity, and to improve governance/coordination of our nation’s geospatial infrastructure.
In August 2024, NGC successfully received its IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption status. This milestone was an important step in solidifying the nonprofit's
standing and eligibility for tax-exempt benefits. Notably, the exemption was granted with retroactive effect to June 4, 2023, which corresponds to the NGC State of Texas filing.
2025
2025 was a pivotal year for the National Geospatial Collaborative (NGC) as the organization moved from planning to action, strengthened its governance, and advanced national geospatial priorities through collaboration, coordination, and leadership. Guided by a seven-member Board of Directors, NGC made meaningful progress across its mission to boldly pursue a more effective geospatial ecosystem, while laying the operational and governance foundation needed for long-term impact.
Key 2025 Highlights
Strategic Initiatives Launched
NGC formally adopted and advanced three national initiatives in 2025:
By year’s end, all initiative action plans were finalized, published, and positioned for continued progress in 2026.
Expanding Partnerships & Influence
NGC expanded its national and international footprint by:
These partnerships strengthened NGC’s role as a trusted convener across government, industry, academia, and nonprofits.
Supporting States & Federal Engagement
In 2025, NGC stepped into a new role supporting Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) by submitting two proposals on behalf of the State of Georgia focused on:
NGC also supported bipartisan advocacy for sustained investment in State Coastal Zone Management Programs, reinforcing the value of geospatial data in resilience, planning, and environmental stewardship.
Participation & Outreach
NGC engaged the geospatial community through key national events, including:
These engagements elevated NGC’s visibility and strengthened cross-sector relationships.
Strengthening Governance & Operations
Behind the scenes, NGC:
Together, these efforts positioned NGC for sustainable growth and accountability.
Looking Ahead
As NGC enters 2026, the organization is building on the momentum of 2025 with continued initiative execution, expanded partnerships, and new opportunities for states and stakeholders to engage. The full National Geospatial Collaborative 2025 Annual Report will be released in the first quarter of 2026.
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