The Plan
Launching a new top-level domain is a long process, but every step brings us closer to sustainable funding for queer communities. Here’s the plan:
Phase One: Kickstarter & Application
We have raised the full amount required to complete our ICANN application via the Kickstarter (thanks to all these lovely people). Backers will receive vouchers for one year of domain registration at wholesale price, redeemable at any participating registrar.
We’ll keep a running list of participating registrars on our website and socials. Registrars simply invoice us for their share when vouchers are redeemed — we handle the rest so you needn’t worry about the details.
In the best case, .meow will be set to delegate in 2028.
Phase Two: Partnering with a Registry
At launch, .meow won’t run its own registry operations. We have decided to partner with the CORE association, a non-profit registry service provider based in Geneva, Switzerland. We have many reasons for this choice but ultimatel we are ideologically aligned and they have a proven track record. Partnering with an RSP is a requirement from ICANN, at least to begin with, but doing so is benificial to us, too. It will allow us to keep costs lower and focus on business development, including building out the grant program right away.
During these first years, revenue from domain sales will:
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Cover operating and partnership costs.
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Begin seeding grants for queer initiatives as early as possible.
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Save toward applying to the Registry Services Provider Support Program, which will let us bring operations in-house.
Phase Three: Building Independence & Growth
Once sustainable, we’ll apply to run our own registry services. That means greater control, lower costs, and room to expand — even offering registry services to other TLDs, with all profits going back into the foundation.
Alongside technical growth, our annual grant cycle will continue, channeling most revenue straight into queer community projects. From seed funding for venues and businesses to lobbying, advocacy, or even mutual aid (where legally possible), .meow will grow into an engine for queer resilience.