History of the TLD

The .gives top-level domain was introduced as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program in the mid-2010s. It was created to support charitable, philanthropic, and social impact initiatives online but is open for broader use by organizations and individuals. It is operated by the Public Interest Registry.

Main Use and Industry Position

The .gives extension is positioned for charities, nonprofit initiatives, and fundraising projects. It is suitable for any entity wanting to convey a mission of giving or social impact. It competes with other purpose-driven domains such as .org and .charity.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com, .net, and .org, .gives is more specialized and less commonly used. It provides a thematic alternative for organizations wanting a domain that reflects charitable or philanthropic activities. Compared to other purpose-driven TLDs like .charity or .ngo, .gives carries similar intent but may have different recognition and pricing.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Supports clear thematic branding for charitable and philanthropic initiatives

• Open registration for individuals and organizations

• DNSSEC support enhances security

Cons

• Less widely recognized than .com or .org

• Potentially higher registration and renewal costs

• Some reserved names and restrictions may apply for specific domains

Registration Criteria

No specific eligibility requirements exist beyond standard domain rules. Both individuals and organizations can register. Some names may be reserved or restricted by the registry.

Summary

.gives is a generic top-level domain designed for charitable and socially focused entities. Managed by the Public Interest Registry, it allows open registration and offers technical features like DNSSEC. While less mainstream than traditional TLDs, it provides mission-aligned branding opportunities.