Badass Nerds, Unite
We’re a global community of like-minded humans who not only celebrate storytellers and explorers but make their work possible. We believe in the power of human-crafted stories. We stand by journalism, science, history, and hope. We are more than members of an audience — together, we are Allies. Join us!
WHY JOIN THE ALLIANCE?
Be part of a movement that believes journalism, science, history, and hope are worth defending — and help choose the stories and fund the discoveries of the modern era.
Alliance Benefits
Award-Winning Stories
Get access to the fully immersive, acclaimed Hidden Compass reading experience — 150+ (and counting) ad-free, fact-checked, stories from around the globe.
Video Library
Explore 30+ interviews, lectures, and conversations with industry experts on topics like marine conservation to accelerator physics to Indigenous community-led exploration.
Pathfinder Prize and Intrepid Interlude Voting
Vote to assign “Intrepid Interlude” stories to our storyteller in residence. Choose the recipient of our annual Pathfinder Prize, an $18,000 documentary film grant to fund a global expedition of the modern age — an age where discovery is about understanding instead of conquering.
Our inaugural Pathfinders journeyed to Greenland in the footsteps of Tété-Michel Kpomassie, the first African to explore Greenland. In 2025, our winners are embarking on an underwater expedition to the “Rebel Reef” in Honduras, where local corals and conservationists teach us about the audacity of finding hope in the face of environmental destruction.
Film Premieres
Attend annual in-person and virtual Pathfinder short documentary film premieres, including live Q+As with the filmmakers.
Behind-the-Scenes Expedition Content
Hear from our storytellers and expeditioners via exclusive dispatches — including notes, videos, photos, and updates from the field.
Patronage Credits
Get up to $20 in credit every year to contribute directly to the storytellers in our magazine who inspire you the most.
The Nerd Herd
$5
/mo- Access to All Hidden Compass Stories (150+ and Counting)
- Access to the Hidden Compass Video Library (30+ Discussions and Talks)
- Intrepid Interlude Votes to Assign Stories to Our Storyteller in Residence
- $5 Patronage Credits Per Year to Support Individual Journalists
The Alliance
$13
/mo- Access to All Hidden Compass Stories (150+ and Counting)
- Access to the Hidden Compass Video Library (30+ Discussions and Talks)
- Intrepid Interlude Votes to Assign Stories to Our Storyteller in Residence
- $20 Patronage Credits Per Year to Support Individual Journalists
- 5 Pathfinder Votes to Fund Expeditions and Documentaries
- Behind-the-Scenes Expedition and Documentary Content
- Admission to Annual Pathfinder Documentary Film Premieres
- And More!
Ally Testimonials
“Hidden Compass continues to deliver intriguing, thought provoking content with every issue. Their commitment to primary research coupled with creative storytelling is not easily found today.”
Evan
Ally
“In an industry full of hot takes, quick hits, and roundups, it’s refreshing to have an organization like Hidden Compass support adventurous journalism and exploration.”
Jill
Ally
“I don’t just go to Hidden Compass to hop around and glance at a few things. I plan my time to go and sit down and read and digest and think about what that writing says and how it makes me feel. It’s a very intentional, deliberate, time-intensive act and that’s really pleasurable.”
Anonymous
Ally
Our Allies Support the Captain Planet Foundation
WHY THIS ORGANIZATION?
The Captain Planet Foundation works to engage and empower future environmental leaders.
For 30 years, the Captain Planet Foundation has been working to “engage and empower young people to be problem solvers for the planet.” They have funded thousands of hands-on environmental education projects in which more than 1.6 million children have directly participated.
COMBINE OUR POWERS
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