Free Software Foundation Bolsters Licensing Expertise, Community Outreach in Year-End Appeal
BOSTON, MA – December 18, 2025 – The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is actively seeking support for its Licensing and Compliance lab, highlighting a year of expanded educational initiatives and crucial work in upholding free software principles. The Lab’s efforts range from rigorous training for volunteers to direct support for projects navigating complex licensing issues, all aimed at strengthening the free software movement.
Throughout 2025, the FSF and Licensing and Compliance Manager Krzysztof Siewicz presented on free software licensing at key industry events including LinuxFest Northwest, Linux Autumn, GNU Cauldron, Teardown, and Hackers Of Planet Earth (HOPE). The FSF also maintained a presence at All Things Open and SeaGL, utilizing tabling opportunities to introduce newcomers to the importance of free software.
Beyond outreach, the FSF continues to develop the Free Software Directory (FSD), a resource for discovering and learning about free software. A workshop hosted at HOPE focused on evaluating program licensing and contributing to the FSD, emphasizing its role as both a catalog and an educational platform. The FSF dedicates three hours each Friday (12:00-15:00 EST / 17:00-20:00 UTC) in the Libera.Chat #fsf channel to assist individuals in licensing evaluation.
The FSF is currently fundraising to reach a goal of $400,000 USD by January 1, 2026, to continue its work in free software licensing education, GNU GPL enforcement, and the defense of GNU. Donations and associate memberships are encouraged. As the FSF notes, “It has worked so far, but we’re not out yet.”
Supporters can contribute at https://fsf.org/donate?mtm_campaign=winter25&mtm_source=licensing or become an associate member at https://my.fsf.org/join?mtm_campaign=winter25&mtm_source=licensing. More information on the fundraising appeal can be found at https://www.fsf.org/appeal?mtm_campaign=winter25&mtm_source=licensing.
