Internet Society extends major financial support commitment to the IETF

As a long-time supporter of the IETF, the Internet Society provided an organizational home for the IETF since 1992. In 2018, the Internet Society worked with the IETF community to form the IETF Administration LLC (IETF LLC) organization, which today supports the ongoing operations of the IETF. As part of establishing the IETF LLC, the Internet Society committed to two years of partial funding for the IETF’s operating expenses through the Internet Society Foundation and transferred to the IETF LLC the IETF Endowment, which the Internet Society originally created in 2012 to support the IETF and its activities.

The agreement announced today provides a commitment for two types of financial support that build on the Internet Society’s long-standing, broad support of the IETF and its work. Both of these will be provided via the Internet Society Foundation.

First, the Internet Society will extend its annual contribution of operational funds to the IETF for the next six years. This will enable better financial planning and provide a total of  $41,400,000 for core IETF operations over the six years of the agreement. Organizational sponsors, meeting hosts and participation fees will remain significant components of the IETF’s overall financial support.

The second component of the agreement will bolster long-term fundraising efforts for the IETF Endowment. By providing matching contributions, this program could result in up to an additional $30 million Internet Society contribution to the IETF, if it is able to raise $18 million (2:1 match on the first $12 million raised and 1:1 thereafter). This provides a truly transformative opportunity for the IETF, for which we are immensely grateful. 

This generous matching program is entirely new and we believe will significantly improve the IETF’s ability to raise funds for the IETF Endowment. The IETF LLC will shortly begin recruiting for an individual to lead our fundraising efforts, with endowment fundraising being a critical focus for the IETF LLC staff and board in 2021 and beyond.

Together, through these programs, the Internet Society will provide up to $71,400,000 over the term of this agreement. We at the IETF LLC thank the Internet Society very much for this new strategic support agreement and for continuing our productive partnership! Much work remains to be done to take advantage of this amazing opportunity and we look forward to working with the IETF community to ensure a vibrant and enduring future for the IETF’s important open Internet standards process.