What is a gTLD?

All domain names end in one of a small number of endings (a few letters after the final dot) which are known as generic or country code - "Top Level Domains" TLDs.  The largest generic TLD and most popular is .com.  Others include .org and .net.  Unlike Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) like co.uk or .de, a gTLD is not associated with any country. 

What is dotNGO?

dotNGO is an initiative started by Dr Victoria Harris who is the founder of international NGO Article 25. Together with international partners and funders we are working to create a generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) for the Charitable and Non Governmental Organisation sector.  The main aim is that the new TLD will improve security and potentially reduce online fraud in the sector and become a global hub for the sector. 

It will mean that only organisations within the sector could apply for domain names within the gTLD, such as www.mycharityname.ngo; other people from outside of the sector would not be able to apply, potentially reducing fraud.

How do I get a new domain name such as mycharityname.ngo

Firstly, reserve your domain name by contacting info@dotngo.net . Secondly, make sure you can prove you have the right to use that name as a legitimate 501(c)3 equivalent organisation. We'll ask you to give us a bit more detail in due course - but email us and let us know you want your name reserved for you. 

Why is this time right for this initiative?

ICANN, the not for profit organization who are responsible for the internet naming system have announced that they will soon begin taking applications from organisations that want to apply for a new gTLDs and there are expected to be hundreds of applications.

This gives whole industry segments the opportunity to apply for a gTLD that best represents their sector.  For example the automotive industry might apply for .car or the banking industry for .bank.

Unlike almost every current gTLD or ccTLD where anyone can apply for a domain name, a new gTLD can be managed so that only legitimate organisations from that sector can apply.

What are the benefits for the charitable industry/third sector?

The main benefit is that if charities adopt .ngo as their chosen domain consumers will learn that they should be careful when donating to any site outside of that domain.  Whilst this will reduce online fraud in general, it will have a significant impact on major disaster online fraud. There may be many other benefits - optimisation is the aim of this website.

There are many instances of fraudsters setting up domains in existing TLDs when a major disaster occurs.  As .ngo gTLD would restrict applicants for domains to only legitimate organisations from the sector, consumers would soon learn about the legitimacy of web sites that end in .ngo and potentially donate more at those sites.

How can I get involved?

This site has been set up to encourage discussion within the sector to help dotNGO understand the views of the community.  If you are interested in getting more involved in the dotNGO project please email info@dotngo.net

One final way is to help promote discussion on this site by circulating the link to others in your industry.

Who is involved in this project?

Article 25's founder and CEO, Victoria Harris, approached VeriSign with the idea in 2008. It was Article 25's view as a registered charity serving other NGOs that there were benefits to the NGO industry in having a new gTLD that was only for the charitable and NGO sector. n the same way as Article 25 was established to help the NGO sector itself, dotNGO was set up with the same aim.

VeriSign, as part of its charity programme, from 2009 to 2011, provided funds to raise awareness and scope out the potential for a .ngo gTLD.  If a .ngo were to launch, VeriSign would like to provide the background services that make the gTLD work, however, we have not signed any contract with hem and there will be no conflict of interests permitted on that score. Verisign are a competitive bidder and we are working with others too.

Who is funding and running this, and how?

The initial setup has been funded by Article 25 and dotNGO is now an independent, community based initiative. Contact us at info@dotngo.net to register your views.

Financial interest may be taken by the charitable sector in the project, but it is not a necessity for the sector to fund this. There are various possible approaches. A likely path combines commercial risk being taken by some parties (with some limited benefit being accrued commercially in line with that risk) but with governance being left to the sector itself and no financial risk necessary to the sector to participate.

What types of organisations are expected to buy the domain?

Legitimate charities and NGOs of all sizes would benefit from a gTLD where only members of the sector could register for a domain name.  Providing a clear signal to potential donors that they are a legitimate charitable or NGO site could result in more donations.

How will you ensure that only legitimate charities and NGOs will be able to register for an .ngo site?

The level of checking required to most appropriately ensure security is still being scoped and we would like your opinion on this.  The processes for attaining charitable or NGO status vary on a country by country basis but the final decision will be made by the members and participants of the dotNGO project who will be predominantly made up of members of the charitable and NGO sector.

Who will be in charge of the distributing the new Top Level Domains?

The decision on how new domains within new gTLDs will be distributed is being finalized by ICANN.  It is most likely that you will be able to register a .ngo second level domain with the same organisations who currently register domain names, such  GoDaddy.com, with a separate validation process bolted on by the .ngo organisation to ensure you are entitled to do so.