The Free Software Foundation has recently received two surprising donations totaling $900,000. The donations were made by anonymous benefactors using the cryptocurrency Monero, known for its emphasis on privacy and security in online transactions. These funds will play a crucial role in bolstering the organization’s financial independence, further supporting its technical team and infrastructure, and expanding its various initiatives such as campaigns, education programs, licensing efforts, and open-source software projects.
This substantial contribution marks the largest single donation in the Free Software Foundation’s history, representing a significant act of generosity during what has been a challenging period for many organizations. To put this donation into perspective, the Foundation had originally budgeted $400,000 for the upcoming year, with only $300,000 raised thus far. This unexpected windfall will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the Foundation’s operations and ability to advance its mission of promoting free and open software for all.