Public Interest Registry Opens Applications for Advisory Council
The Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit operator behind the .ORG domain, has officially opened its call for applications to join its Advisory Council. The Council plays a pivotal role in shaping PIR’s mission to strengthen and support nonprofits, noncommercial Internet users, and mission-driven organizations worldwide. By providing input and recommendations, members help ensure that the .ORG community continues to thrive as a trusted digital home for causes, campaigns, and institutions built around public good.
The announcement, released September 10, 2025, makes clear that PIR is looking for applicants who can bring both expertise and passion to the role. The organization’s goal is to foster an Advisory Council that mirrors the diversity of the global .ORG community. That means representation across geography, organizational size, and subject matter areas. Candidates are expected to reflect the breadth of sectors that rely on .ORG, from education and science to human rights and cultural organizations.
Diversity and Representation at the Core
PIR emphasizes that no two Council members will come from the same organization, ensuring independence and broad-based representation. The Advisory Council has historically included leaders from nonprofits, academic institutions, and mission-driven businesses, and PIR plans to build on that foundation with its new selection. The call for applications highlights fields such as cultural institutions, religious organizations, artistic endeavors, political advocacy, and humanitarian groups as potential areas of expertise.
The intent is clear: PIR wants an Advisory Council that reflects the complexity and scale of the .ORG community itself. A small nonprofit in Kenya, a research institute in Germany, and a grassroots advocacy group in Latin America may all bring unique perspectives on how .ORG domains are used and protected. This range of viewpoints ensures that decisions are not shaped by a narrow subset of stakeholders but by a truly global cross-section of voices. The structure underscores PIR’s commitment to inclusivity and to the long-standing values of the open Internet.
Commitments and Expectations
Advisory Council roles are voluntary, but they carry meaningful commitments. Members are expected to serve terms lasting one to three years, as outlined in the Council Charter. During that time, they will participate in four scheduled meetings annually, one of which will involve funded travel to PIR’s headquarters in Reston, Virginia. These in-person gatherings allow members to discuss emerging issues, align on priorities, and collaborate directly with PIR’s leadership team.
While the positions are unpaid, PIR is explicit about what it seeks in prospective members. Applicants should be committed to the responsible, ethical, and effective use of the Internet. Domain industry experience is considered an asset, as is familiarity with the unique challenges faced by nonprofits online. Strong English communication skills are required, since the Council will conduct business in English. PIR is seeking people who can contribute meaningfully to discussions, advise on policy directions, and represent constituencies that depend on .ORG to advance their missions.
Timeline for Applications
The application window opened September 10, 2025, and will remain open through November 19, 2025. Interested individuals can nominate themselves or put forward other candidates. The application process requires expressions of interest, biographical information that highlights relevant experience, one to three references, and details of qualifications. PIR has created a submission form available at its official site to streamline the process for candidates worldwide.
Selected members will be notified of their acceptance by January 2026. That timeline gives PIR ample opportunity to review applications carefully and ensure a balanced and diverse slate of new Council members. For prospective candidates, the next few months present a unique opportunity to position themselves as thought leaders within the global nonprofit Internet community. Serving on the Advisory Council not only allows participants to shape .ORG’s future but also to influence how mission-driven organizations around the globe make use of digital resources.
Why the Advisory Council Matters
The PIR Advisory Council is more than a governance body; it acts as a critical channel between PIR and the community it serves. As the steward of the .ORG domain—a namespace that hosts millions of nonprofits, foundations, and community groups—PIR relies on this Council to highlight issues, risks, and opportunities that affect stakeholders. Advisory Council recommendations can shape PIR’s policies on matters ranging from security and trust to accessibility and innovation.
In a time when nonprofits face increasing challenges online, from cybersecurity threats to rising digital costs, having a diverse and informed Advisory Council is especially important. Council members provide PIR with direct feedback from the field, helping ensure that decisions are grounded in the lived experiences of those working across different sectors. By doing so, PIR reinforces its mission to maintain .ORG as the trusted domain for organizations advancing public interest worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The opening of applications for the PIR Advisory Council marks an important milestone for the .ORG community. PIR is inviting voices from across the globe to help shape its priorities and ensure that mission-driven organizations can continue to thrive online. While the roles are voluntary, the impact is anything but symbolic. Advisory Council members play a central role in advising PIR and influencing how millions of nonprofits and advocacy groups operate on the Internet.
For those with experience in nonprofits, policy, or Internet governance, this is an opportunity to make a difference at scale. Serving on the Advisory Council allows individuals to contribute directly to the stewardship of one of the Internet’s most trusted domains. Applications remain open until November 19, 2025, and new members will step into their roles in early 2026. For anyone passionate about protecting and strengthening the digital home for mission-driven work, now is the time to apply.