About .charity domain
.charity is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that emerged from ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program. It is operated by Public Interest Registry (PIR), following a contested application process in which Famous Four Media (Spring Registry Limited) ultimately prevailed over a competing application from Donuts. The extension became active on May 17, 2018, after a lengthy review period that included community objections and governmental advisory warnings. A key factor in Famous Four Media winning the delegation was their commitment to restrict registrations to verified charitable organizations, a condition that distinguished their application from the competing bid.
Who can register .charity domain
.charity registrations are intended for legitimate charitable organizations and entities operating in the nonprofit and philanthropic space. The registry's Public Interest Commitment, submitted during the application process, established that registrations should be limited to charities rather than open to any registrant. Prospective registrants should check with their chosen registrar for any specific documentation or verification requirements that may apply. Organizations that cannot demonstrate a charitable purpose may find their registration subject to review or revocation under the registry's policies.
How to register .charity domain
Search for your desired .charity domain name using a registrar's availability tool. Because this extension is positioned for a specific type of organization, it is worth confirming your intended name clearly reflects your charitable identity before proceeding.
Compare registrar offerings for .charity, paying attention to first-year pricing versus renewal rates, as introductory prices can differ significantly from ongoing costs. Check whether WHOIS privacy protection is included or available as an add-on, since not all registrars offer it for every extension.
Complete the checkout process, selecting your preferred registration term — typically one year minimum, with multi-year options often available. During checkout, ensure your registrant contact details accurately reflect your organization, as the registry's policies emphasize legitimate charitable use.
After registration, verify your contact details in the registrar's control panel and configure your DNS settings to point to your website host or email provider. Keep your WHOIS information up to date, as accuracy is particularly important for a restricted extension with eligibility requirements.
Typical uses of .charity domain
The .charity extension is most commonly used by nonprofit organizations, fundraising platforms, and philanthropic foundations that want a domain name immediately signaling their mission to donors and supporters. Charities choose this TLD over generic alternatives like .org or .com because it removes ambiguity — a .charity address communicates purpose at a glance, which can build trust with potential donors browsing online. Campaign-specific microsites, donation landing pages, and awareness initiatives are also popular use cases, allowing organizations to create focused web presences tied to a particular cause or fundraising drive.
Tips for registering .charity domain
- Registration terms are typically available for one to ten years; registering for multiple years can protect your domain from lapsing and may lock in current pricing.
- Be aware that introductory first-year pricing at many registrars is often lower than the standard renewal rate — check the renewal price before committing to ensure it fits your budget long-term.
- WHOIS privacy availability may vary by registrar for this extension; confirm whether it is offered before completing your purchase if protecting organizational contact details is a priority.
- A grace period typically follows expiration before a domain enters redemption status; redemption recovery fees can be substantially higher than standard renewal costs, so set up auto-renewal where possible.
- Premium domain names within .charity may be priced significantly above standard registration fees; if your preferred name is listed as premium, expect both a higher initial registration cost and an elevated annual renewal rate.