Brand names for nonprofits
Donors and volunteers check your website and social pages before they give, so claim one name on all of them. In the UK, some words need approval first.
Which platforms should a nonprofit claim?
The .org and the .com, plus Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
| Platform | Why claim it | Cost to join | Sign-up takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .org | The classic ending for organizations | $7.98, then $11.84 a year | 5 to 15 min |
| .com | Stops anyone else taking your name | $11.08 a year | 5 to 15 min |
| Local supporters, events and groups | Free | 10 min to 3 days | |
| Photos and Reels of your work | Free | 5 to 15 min | |
| Partners, funders and volunteers | Free | 10 to 20 min | |
| YouTube | Stories and appeals on video | Free | 5 to 10 min |
Sources [1]
Checks the .org, the .com, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube in one search.
Which domain endings suit a nonprofit?
Get the .org or .com if you can. .charity and .foundation start at $5.99 and renew at $22.66 a year; .ngo keeps one price, $15.96.
| Ending | First year | Each year after |
|---|---|---|
| .org | $7.98 | $11.84 |
| .com | $11.08 | $11.08 |
| .charity | $5.99 | $22.66 |
| .foundation | $5.99 | $22.66 |
| .ngo | $15.96 | $15.96 |
| .community | $8.24 | $45.83 |
These are Porkbun's prices; other registrars differ. More in Which domain ending should I pick?[7]
Which trademark classes cover a nonprofit?
Class 36 includes charitable fundraising. Add a class for each other thing you run or sell under the name.
| Class | WIPO covers | For a nonprofit |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Financial, monetary and banking services, among other things | Charitable fundraising |
| 41 | Education, training, entertainment, cultural activities | Classes, training and events |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headwear | Branded clothing |
Each extra trademark class adds $350 in the US, €50 to €150 in the EU and £60 in the UK. Read Do I need a trademark before I launch? before you file.[2, 4, 5, 6]
Which words need approval in a UK charity name?
"Charity" and "charitable" need a letter of non-objection from the charity regulator before a UK company or business name can use them. Several other common nonprofit words need a set structure.
| Word | What Companies House asks for |
|---|---|
| Charity, charitable | Non-objection from the charity regulator |
| Foundation | Usually limited by guarantee, non-profit clause |
| Trust (charitable) | Usually limited by guarantee, charitable objects |
| Association, society, federation | Usually limited by guarantee, one member one vote |
| Institute | Usually only established organizations |
The regulator is the Charity Commission in England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Other countries set their own rules.[3]
Sources (7)
- PrimaryZero To 1000's platform catalog: costs and sign-up times from each platform's own pages; domain prices from Porkbun's price list
- PrimaryWIPO: Nice Classification, NCL 13-2026
- PrimaryGOV.UK: Incorporation and names, annex A: sensitive words and expressions
- PrimaryUSPTO: How much does it cost?
- PrimaryEUIPO: Fees and payments
- PrimaryGOV.UK: Apply to register a trade mark
- PrimaryPorkbun: domain name pricing, the public price list our checker reads daily