Grassroots.org Offers Free Domains for Non-Profits

Grassroots.org is offering free domain names and free hosting to non-profits in the U.S. and Canada. The domain name is free for the first year for users of Grassroots.org's hosting, which includes 100 megs of disk space, 5 email accounts and 2 gigs a month of data transfer. See the announcement here. Go to this page to sign up. Applicants must provide proof of 501c3 non-profit status to qualify for one of the free domain names.

How are they doing this? Grassroots.org was founded by domain industry investor Michael Mann of BuyDomains.com, who earlier this year sold a majority interest to venture capitalists Highland Capital and Summit Venture Partners. The goals of Grassroots.org are nicely summarized in a recent profile in Domain Name Journal:

Grassroots helps eliminate �Digital Divide� issues that impact many nonprofits by providing them with free website development, hosting, and tech support. They are also working to add web-based advocacy tools to allow organizations and their constituencies to distribute nonpartisan action alerts, sign petitions, register to vote, contact Congress and more. Other technology will assist nonprofits and charities with fundraising, budgeting and database management. Grassroots.org also provides free management and legal consulting to help guide nonprofits in areas including organizing a 501(c)(3) (tax-exempt non-profit group) and ongoing IRS compliance.

Not surprisingly, Mann has acquired a number of premium domain names that can help gain traffic and visibility for Grassroots.org's charitable initiatives. These include Homeless.org, Shelters.org, Diseases.org, Relief.org, PlanetEarth.org, PublicService.org, SpeakOut.org and VoterRegistration.org.

Grassroots.org is also taking advantage of its relationships in the domain industry, including one with Moniker.com, a registrar dn domain services provider which is supporting the free domains.

"Grassroots.org is proud to partner with Moniker.com to provide nonprofit organizations the use of a free domain name" said Jim Ward, President of Grassroots.org. "Consistent with our mission to reduce costs for nonprofits, this offering will allow those organizations addressing key areas of concern including civic participation, poverty, housing, healthcare and the environment, to build a web presence to promote their efforts. Free domain names are the first step for nonprofits and charities who want to use Grassroots.org�s tools and services which include website design and development, online advocacy tools, issue promotion and more."

  Posted by RichM February 24, 2006 | Permalink | Newsletter

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Grassroots.org Offers Free Domains for Non-Profits - Feb 24, 2006





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