To promote popular interest and education in the various Earth Sciences, and in particular the subjects of Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Lapidary and other related subjects, and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the work and efforts of all persons and groups interested therein; to sponsor and encourage the formation and international development of Societies and Regional Federations and by and through such means to strive toward greater international good will and fellowship.

This Corporation is organized and shall be operated as a nonprofit corporation exclusively for the promotion of social welfare as that term is used in section 501(c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future federal income tax laws, with the specific purpose to promote and ensure the right of amateur collecting and recreational mining, and the use of public and private lands for educational and recreational purposes.

The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) was organized in 1936 to bring about a closer association of Clubs and Societies devoted to the study of Earth Sciences and the practice of Lapidary Arts and Crafts in the Western part of the United States.

The CFMS includes approximately 110 clubs and societies mostly in California. A few societies in Arizona and Nevada are members due to historical affiliation; American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).