[ALAC] Briefing note: Use of gTLD Auction Proceeds for ICANN Reserve

[Alan Greenberg]

This is a briefing note in preparation for the discussion in AbuDhabi 
current scheduled for 9:30 am, local time, on Sunday.

As is common for non-profit organizations, and particularly ones 
where their income or expenses might be subject to unexpected 
fluctuations, ICANN maintains a "Reserve Fund" to allow it to cover 
unexpected expenses or below expectations income. Currently the 
target for the fund is one year's regular expenses, but due to 
unexpected expenses (primarily associated with the IANA transition 
and accountability exercise), it is below that. There is an open 
Public Comment where you can find out more about the fund - 
https://community.icann.org/x/GJNEB.

It has been suggested that some portion of the proceeds of the new 
gTLD Auctions (currently about $235m, although there is some chance 
it could be as low as $105m) be used to help build back the reserve.

Excluding this possibility, the target use of the Auction Funds will 
be projects that are aligned with ICANN's mission and enhance the 
Internet (wording still under debate).

This brief discussion will be to solicit thoughts on whether this 
would be a good idea or not.

Alan