3.5.5.4 Government contributions

The Membership might also turn for support to national governments. ICANN to date has made it a point not to request government support, lest financial contributions lead to increased governmental involvement in ICANN decision-making. Still, it may be possible, on a limited basis, to request that national governments provide some measure of financial support to the At-Large Membership.

Any movement towards government funding, however, should be undertaken with care. Government bureaucracies are not known for their speed or responsiveness, and the Membership might need to negotiate its funding significantly in advance. But the greatest problem is a risk that governments might seek to use any degree of financial dependence on the part of the At-Large Membership as leverage to pursue political ends. .

These concerns, although serious, should not eliminate the possibility of government funding, which may have a legitimate role to play in supporting the At-Large Membership. Many NGOs and research organizations have cooperated with governments for years, and their experience may offer important lessons in how to proceed in this area. The risks that flow from government funding can best be managed by seeking as great a diversity of funding sources as possible.

3.5.5.3 Membership fees

3.5.5.5 Voluntary donations