What is the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy

The Hudson Institute of Mineralogy is a not-for-profit research, cultural and educational entity chartered in 2003. The Institute applied to the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This application was approved in 2004, and as such, donations to the Institute are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Our primary outreach effort is this website, mindat.org

Our Mission Statement

The Hudson Institute of Mineralogy is dedicated to the discovery, study and preservation of mineral species and their history, and to increasing public awareness and appreciation of the mineral kingdom through outreach and education.

Our People

The members of the Institute's Board of Directors are drawn from the scientific, educational and business communities. The current Board of Directors (October 2021) are:

Lan Yee (Ida) Chau - Director and co-founder of mindat.org.
Vandall King - Director
Tony Nikischer - Founder of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Alfredo Petrov - Director
Jolyon Ralph - Co-founder of mindat.org and Chief Operating Officer of Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Gail Spann - Director
James Spann - Director
Dr David Von Bargen - Executive Director
Dr Robert Woodside - Director
Paul Brandes - Director
Nathalie Brandes - Director

Donations to the Institute

The Institute actively solicits donations of analytical equipment, labeled specimens, thin sections and similar materials. The collector and scientific communities can support this effort simply by contacting us to make arrangements for gifts of such materials.

However, overhead costs for operating the mindat.org website are supported primarily by donations. Please click here to donate.

As an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization, donations to the Institute, whether in materials or via financial support, are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, and donations are gratefully acknowledged.

Grants by the Institute

If you are an educator requiring mineral or rock samples for your classroom work, the Institute may be able to provide samples to you at no cost, other than shipping charges. Requests for specimens must be made in writing on educational institution letterhead, first by email and followed by hardcopy, and requests must include the specifics of what is needed, how they will be used in the classroom, and any other supporting information that will enable the Institute to properly evaluate your request in an expeditious manner. Contact us for further details as needed.

Contact Us

The Hudson Institute of Mineralogy dba Mindat.org

Mailing address:

1113 Cambridge Hill Lane
Keswick, VA 22947
www.mindat.org

info@hudsonmineralogy.org