As 2025, the FSF’s fortieth anniversary year, draws to a close, Ian Kelling, president of the Free Software Foundation, offers his reflections on why you should become an FSF associate member.
Becoming an associate member reflects a commitment to supporting free software projects, licenses, and advocacy. This support allows the FSF’s staff and volunteers to focus on the bigger picture: achieving software freedom for all. Join today.
I have closely followed and been involved with the free software movement for twenty years. I’m honored to be the new FSF president. I wouldn’t be here without the presidents before me,and I especially thank Geoff and RMS for thier work in this role,as well as everyone who has supported the FSF and the free software movement over the years.
The FSF turned forty this year, and it was a meaningful year for the institution. For four decades, we’ve been working for the software freedom of all users, everywhere. We held an in-person event with sessions including a panel of FSF board members and digital rights activists discussing organizing tactics, privacy, and surveillance. We also launched Librephone,a technical project to advance freedom on phones by reverse-engineering nonfree firmware. And we helped organize and promote over thirty events worldwide through our LibreLocal effort, among other initiatives.
A 2013 article, “Free software is even more important now,” compellingly argues for freedom and opposes the unjust power inherent in proprietary software and Service as a Software Substitute (SaaS).Twelve years later, I believe free software is even more important. This leads me to ask: how can we sustain our commitment, grow our movement, and ultimately make free software a core part of daily life?
I don’t have all the answers, but I know one crucial part: the FSF won’t stop fighting until freedom wins. We will continue to convince more peopel to join the cause, but we need your support to amplify our impact. Please join the free Software Foundation!
RMS wrote in the original GNU declaration, “I consider that the golden rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it.” Even then, the idea of free software hadn’t been fully articulated. It’s inspiring to see how people can recognize the injustices of proprietary software simply by valuing moral principles.
We received two large donations totaling $900,000 this year, which is marvelous news. We are grateful for these contributions, and for all the support we’ve received over the years, especially during this fundraiser. These donations will help us hire a new staff member to support the infrastructure for GNU and the FSF, particularly as we face ongoing DDoS attacks. They will also replenish our financial reserves, helping us operate during challenging times. However, this covers only a fraction of our expenses, and there’s still much to do! We’re ready to do more to advance and support the free software movement, with additional funding.
We are now only USD $52,000 away from achieving our USD $400,000 goal. By becoming an FSF associate member, you help us reach this goal, and you join a symbolic group of thousands standing behind the FSF, strengthening our message and paving the way to software freedom. We thank everyone who gives to the FSF; while large donations are impactful, most of our income comes from individual gifts of less than $200 a year.
To continue this work, we need your support. Please join us today.
Yours in freedom,
Ian Kelling
President
P.S.Please consider adding the FSF to your estate plan. You can find more information on our ways to donate page.
