Strategic Planning & Budgeting

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Based on direction provided by the Board of Trustees, ARIN performs its mission according to a Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan is an on-going process, updated annually, that in conjunction with a Board-approved annual budget, drives the creation of an internal work plan.

For each fiscal year, the Board adopts a Strategic Plan and budget, based on recommendations from staff and input from the community.The budget includes categories for personnel, operations, general office/administration, and Internet support. ARIN staff performs its mission in accordance with the goals and principles found in its annual strategic plan based on guidance provided by the Board.

After the end of each fiscal year, ARIN staff compiles and publishes an annual report that includes information on activities related to goals set by the Strategic Plan and a report from an independent auditor on ARIN’s financials. These reports are available on the Annual Report page.

Strategic Plan

Budget

ARIN 2026 Budget (USD in thousands)
Category Approved Budget Accounting Adjustments U.S. GAAP Budget8
Operating revenue and support budget:
Registration maintenance fees 29,950 (310) 29,640 1
Registration allocation and assignment fees 590 (95) 495 1
Network transfers 1,745 1,745
Org create and recovery 141 141
Contributions 75 400 475 2
Other revenue 126 146 272
Total revenue and support $32,627 ($5) $32,768
 
Operating expenses budget:
Salaries, benefits and fringe 24,704 (934) 23,770 3
Travel and meetings 2,007 2,007
Travel 1,200 1,200
Meetings 807 807
Engineering operations and infrastructure 2,252 3,096 5,348
Data center colocation and data communications 904 904
Hardware, software and other computer costs 1,348 1,133 2,481 4
Depreciation and amortization 1,963 1,963 5
Professional services 1,292 1,292
Legal 284 284
Consulting and other professional services 1,008 1,008
Industry support 608 608
ICANN 255 255
NRO 190 190
Grant Program 50 50
Other industry support 113 113
Community outreach 608 608
On-the-Road and other training
Other outreach 608 608
General and administrative 2,361 222 2,584
Rent and occupancy 1,068 (52) 1,016 6
Insurance 197 197
Banking and treasury fees 758 758
Communications 98 98
Other office expenses 241 241
Depreciation and amortization 274 274 5
 
Total operating expense budget $33,832 $2,384 $36,217
Excess of operating revenues (under) over operating expenses ($1,205) ($2,389) ($3,449)
 
Capital budget:
Total capital purchases 1,084 934 2,018 3
Capital purchases - financed (840) (840)
Capital purchases - cash 244 244
Principal payments 507 934 1,422
Interest payments 56 56
Total capital budget/equipment debt servicing $807 $934 $1,478
 
Investment Reserves:
Balance 1 January 2026 36,578 36,578
Estimated earnings @5.7% (on long term reserve fund) 1,913 1,913
Estimated earnings @3.5% (on operating reserve fund) 105 105
Estimated withdraws (2,010) (2,010) 7
Estimated balance at 31 December 2026 $36,578 $8 $36,586
 

Note 1: Accounting adjustments for revenue relate to the deferred revenue recognition of certain registration billings.

Note 2: Accounting adjustments for in kind service contributions and lease equipment assets.

Note 3: Salaries, benefits and fringe costs relate to an approved 2026 employee count of 106; the accounting adjustments relate to the capitalization of certain software development costs.

Note 4: Adjustments necessary for appropriate lease accounting.

Note 5: Accounting adjustment necessary to include depreciation on ARIN assets.

Note 6: Accounting adjustment necessary to account for difference between recognized lease expense and actual cash lease payments on ARIN office space.

Note 7: Estimated withdrawals to balance the 2026 budget.

Note 8: United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Previous Budgets

Corporate Documentation

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