FFC issues free .org domains to validated partner charities through its eNom Platinum reseller account. This page covers two scenarios in equal depth: registering a new .org (the dominant flow) and transferring an existing domain from another registrar (the gotcha-heavy alternative).

Charity-facing version: freeforcharity.org/domains/.

Which pathway applies

Use the table below to pick the right entry point. Both scenarios share the same four-step flow once the registrar question is settled.

Charity does not yet have a domain → start at the four-step registration flow.
Charity has a domain on another registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) → read the transfer-in gotchas first, then run the four-step flow.

Two pathways into the domain flow

501(c)(3) charities complete the standard onboarding via freeforcharity.org/501c3 before being issued a coupon.
Pre-501(c)(3) organizations use the alternate flow at freeforcharity.org/pre501c3 which trades a smaller toolkit for a faster path to a domain.

The four-step domain flow

Step 1 — Charity creates Cloudflare account

Direct the charity to https://dash.cloudflare.com/sign-up using their charity-domain Outlook mailbox. They must keep this tab open through the entire flow.

Admin check: Confirm the account uses the charity-domain mailbox (not a personal Gmail). Cloudflare verification emails land in the same mailbox; personal addresses cause silent failures later.

Step 2 — Access the FFC domain management system

The charity opens hub.freeforcharity.org (WHMCS) using the credentials issued during charity onboarding.

Admin check: If the charity has not completed onboarding (Stage 1-2 of service delivery), do not issue a domain — route them back to the validation flow first.

Step 3 — Register a new .org through FFC

FFC operates as a Platinum eNom reseller. The charity selects the .org name, applies the discount coupon code from their onboarding confirmation email, and submits.

Admin check: The coupon code is mandatory — without it, the charity is charged real money. If they paste the wrong code, cancel the order and reissue rather than refunding.

Step 4 — Configure DNS to point at Cloudflare

In Cloudflare, add the new domain, copy the assigned nameservers, and paste them into the FFC eNom record under "Nameservers". Cloudflare confirms within 24 hours via email.

Admin check: If Cloudflare verification does not complete within 24 hours, check that nameservers were entered in eNom (not the WHMCS UI) and that the charity's mailbox actually received the verification email.

Hard requirements (do not skip)

Use an organizational Outlook.com mailbox (never personal Gmail).
Keep the Cloudflare tab open through the domain purchase.
Include the discount coupon code from onboarding confirmation (mandatory).
Provide a payment method despite the $0 invoice (eNom requires a card on file).
Create at least two user accounts with admin access for redundancy and recovery.
Respond to every ICANN verification email within 14 days. Failure suspends the domain.

Domain transfers from another registrar

For charities arriving with an existing domain (e.g. on GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another registrar) we run a transfer-in instead of a new registration. Same coupon process, but with these recurring gotchas:

GoDaddy transfers fail when privacy is active — disable WHOIS privacy on the source first.
EPP codes must be entered exactly as supplied; trailing whitespace is a common cause of "invalid code" errors.
Fraud-flagged orders (typically because of mismatched billing address) need verification of US location and matching card/address — escalate to the FFC founder if the charity is legitimate.
Transfers typically take 5-10 business days. Set the charity expectation up front.

Email hosting (downstream)

Once the domain resolves through Cloudflare, the charity moves to Microsoft 365 Business Premium for email — free for verified 501(c)(3) organizations, up to 10 mailboxes. See wordpress-online-impacts-onboarding for the M365 provisioning steps.

Cross-references

wordpress-web-hosting — host setup that pairs with this domain registration.
wordpress-hosting-techstack — DNS / SSL layer.
wordpress-service-delivery-stages — Stage 4-5 (Basic Services + Charity System & Website Setup).

Support contact

Clarke Moyer (FFC founder): clarkemoyer@freeforcharity.org, 520-222-8104.