| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: |
Public Interest Registry's mission is to support and to assist its sole member, the Internet Society, achieve its important and significant charitable mission, in among other ways, by operating the .ORG and other top level domains as an Internet industry model and to serve in other ways to encourage and promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. |
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6, ESTIMATE OF VOLUNTEERS: |
Public Interest Registry has volunteers who act as advisory council members for the organization. Composed of leaders from a broad spectrum of the noncommercial organizations around the world, the PIR advisory council was created to advise on issues including public policy, the introduction of new services, and non-governmental community issues. Their perspectives, representing the voice of the global noncommercial community, play a vital role in the long-term success of Public Interest Registry. |
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 22, NET ASSETS: |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, PIR had a net deficiency of $35,460,520 and $38,047,284, respectively. PIR's Board and Management are satisfied that the organization is able to meet its working capital requirements through the normal cyclical nature of receipts and payments. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, PIR maintained reserves for short-term business interruptions of $11,649,981 and $10,188,321, respectively, and business development of $4,000,000. PIR expects to regularly contribute its cash surplus to the Internet Society, yielding an ongoing negative net asset position. PIR's Board and Management regularly monitor financial performance and will consider appropriate contribution adjustments to ensure the fiscal health of the organizations. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: |
Public Interest Registry's mission is to support and to assist its sole member, the Internet Society, achieve its important and significant charitable mission, in among other ways, by operating the .ORG and other top level domains as an Internet industry model and to serve in other ways to encourage and promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: |
In collaboration with and in support of its sole member, the Internet Society ("ISOC"), Public Interest Registry's primary activity is to maintain the .ORG domain registry as the exemplary top-level domain registry service; to operate it primarily in the public interest; and to be responsive to the issues and needs of the ever expanding and unique worldwide .ORG community, which includes non-commercial/non-profit users and organizations, consistent with the fundamental objectives of its sole member ISOC. As an integral part of its charitable mission, Public Interest Registry (or "PIR") maintains and operates the .ORG top-level domain registry in a fashion that is designed to set the quality, efficiency, and privacy standards for the Internet domain industry. PIR works to create, develop, modernize, and keep current ethical, practical, and technical policies, procedures and protocols required to keep its operational model fresh, relevant, and appropriate as an example for the Internet industry as a whole. Managing and operating the .ORG registry consistent with and supportive of PIR's and ISOC's respective nonprofit missions and in strict compliance with the rules and regulations developed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") also requires actively collaborating with the worldwide non-commercial/non-profit oriented community to consider, refine and resolve critical and important issues related to Internet policies and procedures. PIR maintains an advisory council composed of knowledgeable industry experts and leaders from global nonprofit and non-governmental arenas to help PIR support its community. PIR relies on the insight and knowledge obtained from the members of its advisory council and a constant stream of information solicited and received from registrars, as well as from the members of its own diverse and knowledgeable board of directors, to effectively address the interests of the worldwide mission-based Internet community. PIR also conducts education and outreach (E&O) in the global nonprofit and non-governmental organization (NGO) space. Traditionally these efforts have had two purposes: first, to support and assist PIR in achieving its important and charitable mission; and second, to share its expertise as an exemplary domain name registry as well as to help other organizations share their expertise by conducting conferences, regional gatherings, and training sessions focused on improving use of the Internet, especially by mission-based users around the world. In 2019 PIR began reframing its E&O efforts in furtherance of its Mission Statement, i.e., to serve as "[a]n exemplary domain name registry and industry thought leader providing a trusted digital identity and helping educate those who dedicate themselves to improving our world." While supporting the Internet Society remains a core PIR mission and activity, PIR has expanded the scope of its E&O activities into what can be better described as "Exemplary Domain Name Registry" initiatives, including: -- In 2021, PIR created the "DNS Abuse Institute" in order to help the entire domain name industry improve practices to combat abuses of the domain name system ("DNS Abuse"). The DNS Abuse Institute ("DNSAI") is a department within PIR and has three pillars: Education, Innovation and Collaboration. The DNSAI creates and publishes best practices to help educate registries and registrars on effective DNS Abuse mitigation and prevention practices. It also is developing tools to directly enable better reporting of DNS Abuse from law enforcement and the public at large, as well as making those reports more actionable for domain name registries and registrars. In 2021, the DNSAI hosted several online webinars to discuss and dissect issues of DNS Abuse. Complimentary to these, the DNSAI published best practice documents aimed at both the DNS Industry as well as Internet end-users, with the goal of reducing DNS Abuse. In June, the DNSAI published a roadmap, outlining a three-year plan for reducing DNS Abuse across the entire ecosystem. Work immediately began on two key initiatives for the DNSAI: --The development of NetBeacon, an abuse reporting intermediary designed to make it simpler to report abuse, as well as to improve the quality of reports that domain registrars and registries receive. NetBeacon is expected to launch in mid-2022. --The identification of requirements for a DNS Abuse measurement system. Information on the volume and location of DNS Abuse is largely anecdotal. In order to be a credible resource and to enable data-driven policy decisions, the DNSAI developed robust requirements for a new DNS Abuse intelligence platform. Publication of DNS Abuse reports is expected to happen in Q3 2022. --Spearheading the "Framework to Address Abuse", which informs domain name registries and registrars how to best address abuse of the domain name system ("DNS Abuse") and egregious forms of abuse such as Child Sexual Abuse Materials ("CSAM"). -- Continued leadership in the industry's CSAM Referral Discussion Group, a collaborative group of registries, registrars, law enforcement and child safety watchdog groups with a mission to better develop practices to fight CSAM online. -- PIR's Quality Performance Index (QPI) initiative showcases PIR's industry leadership by focusing on maintaining the quality of the .ORG domain name space. QPI was created to encourage quality domain name registrations and lower the instances of abuses in the domain name system. The score calculated from the QPI algorithm can be used for a variety of purposes, including determining eligibility for a variety of PIR channel and marketing programs. PIR has presented QPI to other domain name registries and registrars to encourage them to create and roll out similar programs. The QPI program continues to receive positive feedback from registrars, the ICANN community, and the larger domain name ecosystem. -- PIR launched the .ORG Learning Center in October 2020. This educational hub provides a variety of free information and tools that every .ORG needs to be successful online. This includes articles, videos, and webinars on the essentials for establishing and growing an online presence as well as networking, team building, branding, fundraising, and compliance. -- Our annual .ORG Impact Awards (OIAs) continued in 2021 to recognize individuals and organizations that have a connection to a registered .ORG domain for their contributions, achievements, and impact they have made in their communities. Given the ongoing global pandemic, the 2021 OIAs were once again held as a digital celebration. Now in its third year, this year's awards continued to evolve and keep up with the times and global challenges. As such, the 2021 OIAs focused on seven categories: Building Better Communities; Health and Healing in a Time of Pandemic; Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Overcoming Climate Change; Providing Quality Education for All; Fighting Hunger and Poverty; Rising Star; and, .ORG of the Year. The 2021 .ORG Impact Awards were the most impressive to date with 633 organizations and individuals submitting entries from more than 40 countries. -- In 2021, PIR continued to promote the .ORG Story Program, spotlighting mission-driven .ORGs that are making significant impact on the communities they serve through online profiles and video vignettes. This program highlighted .ORGs based in a variety of geographic locations and focused on mission-driven organizations, including CSRs, social enterprise and non-profit organizations. The global pandemic has taken a toll on the ability of PIR personnel to engage in international travel and face-to-face meetings. This also impacted key learning events like the specialized Schools of Internet Governance and regional DNS Forums that PIR has historically supported. Fortunately, the need to shift to virtual offerings has presented new opportunities. PIR was the founding sponsor of a new Virtual School of Internet Governance (VSIG). Designed to complement, not replace, existing SIGs, this bandwidth-friendly compendium of self-paced tutorials and interactive modules with subject matter experts provides students with a baseline understanding of the relevant terms and issues before they engage in traditional governance activities. VSIG has been a resounding success, subscribing 400 students in its first year and expanding the curriculum to include Spanish and French instruction. PIR also continued to collaborate on learning opportunities with regional partners. For example, we were an early supporter of the Latin America and Caribbean Top-Level Domains (LACTLD) Association's workshops to help law enforcement authorities learn about the DNS, the organizations that make up this ecosystem, and mechanisms to address objectionable content online. These ongoing workshops remain a unique opportunity to educate non-domain industry actors about DNS abuse and miti |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6: |
Public Interest Registry is a membership corporation, and its sole member is the Internet Society, which is classified as a tax-exempt publicly supported charitable organization described in Code section 501(c)(3). |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A: |
The Internet Society appoints the members of the governing body. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B: |
The following decisions of the governing body are subject to the member's approval: (1) amendment, revocation or repeal of the bylaws; (2) entering into, amending, terminating, assigning, or bringing any legal action with respect to, or waiving any material right under, and agreement or contract with (i) the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or (ii) PIR'S registry services provider; and (iii) payment, contribution or subvention of any amount in excess of $50,000 to any person, entity or organization, charitable or otherwise, other than in connection with the purchase of goods or services received by the corporation. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B: |
THE IRS FORM 990 IS PREPARED AND REVIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM, BDO USA, LLP, WITH SUBSEQUENT REVIEW BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VP FINANCE AND LEGAL COUNSEL. ONCE REVIEWED AND FINALIZED, THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO EACH BOARD MEMBER FOR REVIEW. PRIOR TO FILING, THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AT A BOARD MEETING AND FILED SUBSEQUENT TO THE RESOLUTION OF ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C: |
PUBLIC INTEREST REGISTRY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY REQUIRES DISCLOSURE OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF AN OFFICER, DIRECTOR, MANAGER, OR MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH BOARD-DELEGATED AUTHORITY. AN INTERESTED PERSON MUST DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF A FINANCIAL INTEREST AND MUST DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND/OR THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WITH BOARD-DELEGATED AUTHORITY RELATING TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. The disinterested members of the board or committee determine whether a conflict of interest exists, after considering all material facts, and after a discussion with the interested person. The interested person is required to leave the board or committee meeting while the board or committee discusses the matter and votes on whether a conflict of interest exists. If a board member or a committee member is determined to have a conflict of interest, he or she is required to leave the board or committee meeting while the board or committee discusses, deliberates on, and votes on, the transaction in question. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A: |
It is the goal of Public Interest Registry to compensate each of its officers and key employees at a level that represents the fair market value of that individual's services, and does not exceed such fair market value, taking into consideration all fringe benefits, as well as total cash compensation. Public Interest Registry has established a Compensation Committee comprised of various members of its Board of Directors. At least every other year, Public Interest Registry engages an outside compensation consultant to analyze comparable data relating to the compensation of its CEO and other disqualified persons performing work or services for the company. The compensation consultant uses a comparative survey in the Washington, DC metro area, looking at a mix of industries and sizes of organizations, both non-profit and for-profit. The consultant analyzes the compensation received by similarly qualified individuals holding comparable positions at similar organizations. Regarding the CEO, the Compensation Committee reviews and analyzes the consultant's report and other independent research and makes its recommendation to the Board of Directors based on those findings. After detailed discussion and deliberation among Board members, the recommendation is voted upon, accepted by the full board and contemporaneously documented in the minutes of the board meeting. For 2021, compensation for the CEO was assessed against a third-party compensation study conducted in 2020. Compensation for staff Disqualified persons other than the CEO follows a similar process. Annually, the CEO makes a recommendation to the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation for other staff Disqualified persons. The Committee reviews and analyzes the consultant's report and other independent research. After detailed discussion and deliberation among Committee members, the recommendation is voted upon, accepted by the Committee and contemporaneously documented in the minutes of the meeting. For 2021, compensation for other staff Disqualified persons was assessed against a third-party compensation study conducted in 2020. The CEO is responsible for setting the compensation for other officers and key employees. These decisions are informed by annual benchmarking performed by PIR Human Resources staff using data from a third-party vendor platform. Benchmark data provides base and total cash compensation ranges for each position based on title, years of experience, education, skills and qualifications, industry, and geographic location. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19: |
The 990 is made available to GuideStar and freely available on its website. In addition, Public Interest Registry makes its 990 return available to the general public upon request. |
| FORM 990, PART I, PART VI AND PART VII, BOARD MEMBERSHIP: |
A total of eight persons served on the Board of Directors during the calendar year, who are identified in Part VII of form 990. As of December 31st, 2021, there were a total of seven voting board members serving the organization as disclosed in Part VI, line 1a and Part I, line 3. |
| FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION B, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: |
Afilias Ltd. (Afilias) provides registry services to Public Interest Registry including electronic connection to customers (registrars), to add, modify or delete domain names within the .ORG and other top level domain databases. These services include 24/7, 365 days a year, technical support to registrars, development of registry computer software systems including customer billing, and revenue recognition in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (GAAP). In addition, Afilias provides technical support in implementing Public Interest Registry's domain name abuse policies designed to stop or reduce malware, virus or other activities. Afilias also collaborates with Public Interest Registry on the analysis and discussion of customer and business trends both domestically and internationally. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2B: |
Public Interest Registry's financial results are included in a consolidated audited financial statement report issued by the Internet Society, Public Interest Registry's sole member. In addition, PIR has separate audited financial statements. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: |
PIR changed its auditors this year from RSM, LLP to BDO USA, LLP |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.