History of the TLD

.foundation is a generic top level domain (gTLD) created under ICANN’s New gTLD Program and delegated into the Domain Name System in February 2014. It was introduced to provide a dedicated Internet namespace suited to foundations, charitable organisations, philanthropic initiatives, and similar entities seeking a clear identity for social impact and mission‑driven work. The registry is managed through Donuts Inc and the TLD has been available to registrants since standard launch phases were completed in 2014.

Main Use and Industry Position

.foundation is used by non‑profit foundations, charities, philanthropic organisations, community groups, research institutions, and other mission‑driven initiatives to create an online presence that directly reflects purpose and credibility. While open for general registration, the extension’s branding strongly aligns with charitable and grant‑making work, making it particularly relevant for entities focused on social good, fundraising, and community service.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with legacy generic TLDs like .com or .net, .foundation offers clear thematic relevance for organisations focused on philanthropy and impact. In contrast to broad extensions, .foundation delivers specific signalling that a site is linked to charitable or non‑commercial objectives. Compared with other nonprofit‑oriented TLDs such as .org, .foundation emphasises formal organisational identity and mission clarity but may be less familiar to general audiences than .org.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly communicates mission focus and organisational purpose

• Supports credibility and trust for charitable and nonprofit entities

• Open registration with no special eligibility restrictions

Cons

• Lower general public recognition than legacy domains such as .com or .org

• May be perceived as too specific for broad nonprofit or business use

• Domain names can be longer due to the length of the extension

Registration Criteria

Registration of .foundation domains is open to individuals and organisations worldwide. There are no strict residency, presence, or legal entity requirements enforced by the registry. Domains must comply with standard DNS naming rules including allowable characters and length.

Summary

.foundation is a thematic generic top level domain established in 2014 to provide a dedicated online identity for foundations, nonprofits, and philanthropic initiatives. It enables clear mission signalling and branding for organisations focused on social impact and community service. The extension is globally available for registration without special eligibility restrictions.