# New .ngo and .ong domain names to launch on 17 March

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/01/27/new-ngo-ong-domain-names-launch-17-march/
- Published: 2015-01-27T15:43:12+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The new .ngo and .ong domain names for charities and non-governmental organisations(
NGOs) will be launched on 17 March 2015, [following a three year process](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/2012/06/18/toplevel-domains-what-do-they-mean-charity-sector/).
These new suffixes are designed to offer an alternative to the .org suffix which
designates a not-for-profit organisation but which can be used by a surprisingly
wide variety of organisations.

The distribution of these new domain names is being handled by [Public Interest Registry](http://http://pir.org/),
who have also built an online community for NGOs around this function, called OnGood.

As with other domain suffixes, registration takes place in three phases, designed
to protect organisations with trademark-protected brand names.

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## 1. Sunrise period

From **17 March to 20 April 2015** organisations, individuals and companies which
have registered their trademark(s) in the [Trademark Clearinghouse](http://www.trademark-clearinghouse.com/)
will be able to register the domain name that matches this trademark(s), so that
others can’t try to gazump them.

## 2. Limited registration period

From **21 April to 5 May**, NGOs which have already submitted an Expression of Interest
will be able to register their .ngo and .ong domain name. This takes place on a 
first-come first-served basis.

## 3. General availability period

**From 6 May** the .ngo and .ong suffixed domain names will be available for anyone
to register for their charity, NGO, nonprofit, association or foundation.

 

**Will your charity be registering a .ngo or .ong domain name? Let us know in the
comment below.**

 

**• See also [.NGO domain name: a go or no go for charities and NGOs?](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/2014/06/23/ngo-domain-name-go-go-charities-ngos/)**