How ICANN will spend its $67 million budget

ICANN's budget will be $67 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The organization will manage this budget if the new gTLD program does not launch.

In fiscal 2012, ICANN plans to spend $69.7 million (including depreciation and amortization and bad debt expenses), which is $7.7 million more than the 2011 fiscal year budget. The organization's expenses are 12.4% higher than last year. ICANN's revenue is expected to be $69.758 million.

The increase in costs can be explained as follows:

1. $3 million more in expenses are provided to compensate for increased personnel costs, including a 4% increase in bonuses and an increase in staff.

2. Transportation costs, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and other expenses for 20 elected members of the organization, have been increased by $1.9 million.

3. $2.1 million more is planned to be spent on professional services.

These figures will be the baseline if the new gTLD program does not launch in fiscal year 2012. If the program does launch, the 500 applications received will allow ICANN to revise its projected revenue, which could reach approximately $154 million. Consequently, the company's expenses will also increase.

Here are some more interesting new spending plans for 2012.

fiscal year:

- $30,000 for the participation of two members of the intellectual property committee for a trip to 3 conferences - $5,000 for each per trip.

- $210,000 to ensure the participation of 20 members of the Governmental Advisory Committee in ICANN meetings. In the previous fiscal year, only six members participated.

- $1,000 to the At-Large Advisory Committee for the production of explanatory videos for YouTube