Published: 21.10.2026
The .foundation zone draws on the word foundation, which means both a solid base and an organisation set up to support a cause. Charitable foundations, scholarship funds, research bodies, community trusts and family grant makers use it to present their work. Look at the form just below this text to learn whether a .foundation name you like is still free.
Check if a .foundation domain is available .foundation Check
Background
Foundations have a long tradition as bodies that hold money or property for a shared purpose, such as education, health, the arts or local life. The word suggests stability, which suits an organisation that wants people to trust its work over many years. A good foundation website explains its purpose in plain words and shows what has been achieved, rather than relying on the name alone.
Who holds the register
A registry operator keeps the register for this generic zone, and registrars take orders from the public. A .foundation address does not prove that an organisation is registered as a foundation or charity, because that status comes from the authorities in its own country. Check the current terms at the time of the order.
Rules in practice
- Legal status: the rules for setting up a foundation or charity differ widely between countries, so take advice before you describe your status online.
- Use of funds: publish how money is spent, because donors and grant makers expect clear accounts and reasonable costs.
- Tax treatment: whether gifts can be deducted from tax depends on local law, so do not claim any tax benefit unless it has been confirmed.
- Governance: name the board or trustees and explain how decisions about grants and spending are made.
Who uses .foundation
- Charitable foundations that support education, research or medical projects.
- Scholarship funds and student support schemes that publish their application rules.
- Community foundations that pool gifts for local projects within one area.
- Arts trusts, heritage groups and family foundations that make grants to others.
Strengths
- The word signals an organisation with a purpose, which suits long-term programmes and grant-making.
- It is an English word that many international readers already understand.
- It separates a cause-led body from a shop or service provider at a glance.
Things to keep in mind
- Fake foundations sometimes copy the names of real causes, so publish details that visitors can verify independently.
- Unrelated companies may also use the word, so search the names register before you commit to a brand.
- Grant rules must be fair and written down, or applicants will lose confidence in the process.
- An out-of-date annual report damages trust, so set a regular schedule for updates.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .org too, and look in the national register of charities or foundations, where your country has one.
- Put the legal name, the registration number and the postal address on the home page.
- Publish the latest annual report and accounts as a downloadable file.
- Set a clear donation policy and explain how gifts are received, recorded and acknowledged.
- Use one mailbox for grant applications and another for press enquiries, so messages reach the right team.
Frequently asked questions
Can any group call itself a foundation? Naming rules vary by country, and some words are protected in legal names. Check the local rules before using the word in an official name.
Are donations made through a .foundation site tax-deductible? That depends on the law where the donor lives and on the status of the foundation. Do not promise a tax benefit unless it is confirmed.
How can a foundation show that it is trustworthy? Publish governance details, accounts and a plain explanation of how money is used, and answer enquiries promptly.
