Organizations, including non-profits, find it essential to have an online presence as it allows them to enhance visibility, generate funds for projects, and boost interaction with the public, among other benefits.
One of the initial tasks is to secure a domain name for the organization, which is a unique address used for accessing a website. As an illustration, let’s consider registering the domain myong.org.
The domain not only serves as the NGO website’s address but also enables the creation of professional email accounts for the organization’s staff. Thus, in our case, it would be feasible to set up emails ending with @minhaong.org instead of using a free address like @gmail.com.
Discover the recommended domain extensions and learn how to create an online presence for your non-profit organization.
NGO domain extensions
There are more than 1500 domain extensions globally, but not all can be registered. Some are designed for businesses (e.g. .bradesco), while others cater to specific sectors (e.g. .app.br, for applications).
Non-profit organizations often choose domain categories that are better suited for their type of organization. While it is possible for an NGO to register a .com domain, there are more appropriate and recommended options available.
Discover the domain extensions available for non-governmental organizations to determine the most suitable option for your organization.
.ORG.BR is a widely used domain in Brazil, but it is limited to official non-governmental organizations.
.org.br is a widely used domain extension for NGOs in Brazil, introduced in 1991 by the entity Registry.br, which oversees all .br domains. It is the preferred choice for many Brazilian NGOs, with more than 50,000 active domains in this category.
Well-established organizations like the Alana Institute utilize the .org.br domain, along with commercial and industrial associations, community institutes, company foundations, and regional councils.
.org.br is designated for non-governmental non-profit organizations and requires legal documentation to prove the organization’s status.
The Registration.br page examines the registration of CNPJ with the Brazilian Federal Revenue to ensure that the business name, trading name, and authorized economic activities align with the intended category (and sometimes the desired domain name).
The domain category imposes registration restrictions, but it enhances the credibility of NGO websites by requiring proof of their organizational purpose to use the .org.br ending.
Brazil’s new .BR extension for NGOs is unrestricted.
Launched in the latter part of 2018, the .ong.br domain has fewer registration restrictions, making it accessible to a wider range of Brazilian non-governmental organizations. The initiative is spearheaded by NIC.br, the Information Center and Coordination of the BR Point, which oversees domain registrations.
NGOs, groups, communities, and volunteer initiatives utilize this domain extension, such as the voluntary project in Minas Gerais focused on rescuing and sheltering animals: projectocaomer.ong.br.
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In less than two years since its launch, the category has almost 2,000 active records and has the potential to become popular due to its benefits for NGOs and minimal registration restrictions.
Individuals and legal entities can register the .ong.br domain by providing either a CPF or CNPJ. This domain is suitable for groups, communities, or individuals with a cause, making it ideal for the numerous informal benefit initiatives in the country.
Entities registered in .org.br are safeguarded as only the organization itself can register domain names ending with .ong.br.
.ORG is a generic domain used by organizations globally.
The .org domain extension, introduced in 1985, is both longstanding and widely used, with over 10 million websites across different industries utilizing it.
Its widespread appeal is further enhanced by its global reach, unlike domain extensions tied to specific countries such as .org.br for Brazil. For more information, read the article titled “Understanding TLDs, gTLDs, and ccTLDs.”
.org is utilized by various organizations and individuals without any limitations, although it has traditionally been favored by NGOs globally, including well-known ones like WWF and Wikipedia.
The international .org domain is priced between R$ 25 and R$ 50 annually and can be obtained from various domain registration firms.
Restricted new international extension for non-governmental organizations.
The .ngo and .ong domains were introduced in 2015 specifically for non-governmental organizations worldwide. Only NGOs are allowed to register a domain in these extensions, unlike .org.
NGO and ONG have the same definition, but they are used in different languages. NGO stands for non-governmental organization, while ONG is used in Spanish, French, Italian, Romance, and Portuguese languages. In Brazil, NGO refers to non-governmental organizations.
When you register a .ong domain, you also reserve the same domain with the .ngo extension automatically. This allows you to reach audiences from various countries based on your operational area.
To acquire a .ngo/.ong domain, you must go through a validation procedure to demonstrate it is a recognized non-governmental organization. The organization can be based globally and can pertain to any field, as long as it meets specific requirements.
- Act in the best interest of the public.
- Operate as a charitable institution.
- Not under the control of a governing body.
- Be self-reliant and separate.
- Working.
- Be an organized company.
- Adherence to laws and regulations.
To view all the specific requirements for eligibility, visit this link provided by the Public Interest Registry (PIR).
NGOs that sign up for .ngo/.ong domains are part of the OnGood community, along with other NGOs, under the oversight of PIR, the organization managing these domain extensions.
Which domain extension is the best option for your non-governmental organization?
To determine the suitable domain for your organization, it is essential to examine the structure of the NGO.
NGO, community organization, or individual
If you are a casual NGO or a community or individual supporting a cause, you have two appealing choices: .ong.br and .org.
None of these extensions provide limitations and are available for registration by a variety of individuals and organizations. Factors like pricing, association with the country (.br), and the option for domain privacy may influence which option is best for you. It is your responsibility to assess and determine the most suitable choice.
formally established and engaged nonprofit organization
If the NGO is registered and verified on the same day, it is advisable to register with a more exclusive domain extension as it enhances the credibility of the organization. Options include .org.br and .ngo/.ong terminations.
The .org.br domain is commonly used by official NGOs in Brazil and is the simplest and most cost-effective to register, making it the preferred choice. Unless your NGO has a global reach and requires an international address, the .ngo/.ong domains are not a compelling alternative, especially considering the pricing.
How much is the price and where can a domain for an NGO be registered?
The price of a domain varies depending on the extension and the registering company. Here is a current market value benchmark to provide an estimate.
- .org.br and .ong.br domains cost R$ 40 annually through Registration.br.
- .org domain costs R$ 26.99 in the first year through HostGator, and the renewal price is R$ 44.99.
- .ong/.ngo domain costs $25.99 annually and is provided by enom.
Compare alternative choices within this ranking of domain registration companies.
Is it feasible to acquire a complimentary domain for non-profit organizations?
Many non-governmental organizations operate with limited resources and may struggle to cover expenses like purchasing a domain or maintaining a website platform. Therefore, any assistance in this regard is highly appreciated.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any way to obtain a custom domain for NGOs for free. There might be organizations that could cover the registration costs, but I am not aware of any specific company offering such initiatives.
If your NGO lacks the funds for a custom domain, consider utilizing a free website creation platform to still establish a website. Platforms like Wix, WordPress.com, Webnode, Blogger, and Google Sites offer custom addresses within their domains for no charge.
My non-governmental organization has its own domain. What should I do?
If your company has registered a domain name but is not using it yet, there are at least two steps you can take.
Develop a website for your non-governmental organization.
With a personalized domain, you can establish a website for your company and have it accessible at that specific web address. Having your own domain, even when using a free platform, enhances credibility. Platforms such as Blogger and Google Sites offer free services that support custom domain usage. For additional features, consider exploring paid website builders.
Generate professional email correspondence for staff members.
Another way to utilize the domain is by setting up personalized email accounts for the staff of the organization. Exciting news – Google offers its Google Workspace program for free to NGOs. Find out more about this opportunity in the article on Google Workspace for non-profit organizations.
If your non-governmental organization is not yet officially formed or an entity of this kind, you can still get a professional email for free. Find out how to set up a free professional email with Zoho Mail by reading this article!
I trust this article has been helpful to you in attaining the desired proficiency for your NGO. Feel free to reach out with any queries or feedback. 😊
Publication date: May 22, 2019 (last updated on December 5, 2023)
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