Free Software Foundation Inc
- Assets
- $2.8m
- Revenue
- $1.9m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 14
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Founding
- 05/1986
- Data as of
- 09/2021
- EIN
- 04-2888848
Organization Overview
Free Software Foundation Inc is located in Boston, MA. The organization was established in 1986. According to its NTEE Classification (U41) the organization is classified as: Computer Science, under the broad grouping of Science & Technology and related organizations. As of 09/2021, Free Software Foundation Inc employed 14 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Free Software Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 09/2021, Free Software Foundation Inc generated $1.9m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 6 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 6.4% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $1.7m during the year ending 09/2021. While expenses have increased by 4.7% per year over the past 6 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND COMPUTER USERS RIGHTS TO USE, STUDY, COPY, AND MODIFY THE SOFTWARE ON THEIR COMPUTER, AS WELL AS THE RELATED DOCUMENTATION. TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF FREE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR COMPUTER USER FREEDOM THROUGH ONLINE AND IN PERSON CAMPAIGNS, AND HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE PRACTICAL DETAILS OF USING COMPUTERS IN AN ETHICAL MANNER. THIS INCLUDES PUBLISHING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ABOUT HOW TO USE AND DEVELOP FREE SOFTWARE, WRITING ISSUE FOCUSED ARTICLES AND ACTION ALERTS RELATED TO PERSONAL COMPUTING FREEDOM AND FREEDOM ON THE INTERNET, SPEAKING AT EVENTS, COORDINATING AND EMPOWERING VOLUNTEERS TO ADVOCATE FOR FREE SOFTWARE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ANSWERING THOUSANDS OF EMAILS EACH YEAR FROM PEOPLE INTERESTED IN FREE SOFTWARE, AND ORGANIZING AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE THAT BRINGS THE FREE SOFTWARE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
THE GNU PROJECT DOES COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) THAT RESPECTS USERS FREEDOM. GNU SOFTWARE IS LICENSED FREELY SO THAT USERS CAN RUN, SHARE, STUDY, AND MODIFY IT HOWEVER IS BEST FOR THEM. THE GNU SYSTEM IS USED MOST POPULARLY WITH THE KERNEL LINUX, FORMING THE GNU/LINUX OS USED ON MILLIONS OF COMPUTERS WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY OF WEB AND EMAIL SERVERS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS GNU WITH RESOURCES FOR COORDINATION, PLANNING, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, WEB AND DOWNLOAD HOSTING, COPYRIGHT STEWARDSHIP, PROGRAMMING WORK, AND PUBLIC PROMOTION.
THE LICENSE EDUCATION PROGRAM ASSISTS DEVELOPERS AND USERS IN UNDERSTANDING SOFTWARE LICENSING AND DETERMINING WHICH SOFTWARE IS ETHICALLY SAFE FOR THEM TO USE. IT ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, OFFERS GUIDANCE IN BEST PRACTICES, PUBLISHES ARTICLES ON FREE SOFTWARE LICENSING ISSUES, SENDS SPEAKERS TO EVENTS, INVESTIGATES AND RESOLVES VIOLATIONS OF THE GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE (GPL), LESSER GPL, AND GNU FREE DOCUMENTATION LICENSE, CERTIFIES HARDWARE PRODUCTS THAT RESPECT USER FREEDOM, AND PRESENTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR LAWYERS.
THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR COMPUTER USER FREEDOM THROUGH ONLINE AND IN PERSON CAMPAIGNS, AND HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE PRACTICAL DETAILS OF USING COMPUTERS IN AN ETHICAL MANNER. THIS INCLUDES PUBLISHING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ABOUT HOW TO USE AND DEVELOP FREE SOFTWARE, WRITING ISSUE FOCUSED ARTICLES AND ACTION ALERTS RELATED TO PERSONAL COMPUTING FREEDOM AND FREEDOM ON THE INTERNET, SPEAKING AT EVENTS, COORDINATING AND EMPOWERING VOLUNTEERS TO ADVOCATE FOR FREE SOFTWARE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ANSWERING THOUSANDS OF EMAILS EACH YEAR FROM PEOPLE INTERESTED IN FREE SOFTWARE, AND ORGANIZING AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE THAT BRINGS THE FREE SOFTWARE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
THE GNU PROJECT DOES COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) THAT RESPECTS USERS FREEDOM. GNU SOFTWARE IS LICENSED FREELY SO THAT USERS CAN RUN, SHARE, STUDY, AND MODIFY IT HOWEVER IS BEST FOR THEM. THE GNU SYSTEM IS USED MOST POPULARLY WITH THE KERNEL LINUX, FORMING THE GNU/LINUX OS USED ON MILLIONS OF COMPUTERS WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY OF WEB AND EMAIL SERVERS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS GNU WITH RESOURCES FOR COORDINATION, PLANNING, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, WEB AND DOWNLOAD HOSTING, COPYRIGHT STEWARDSHIP, PROGRAMMING WORK, AND PUBLIC PROMOTION.
THE LICENSE EDUCATION PROGRAM ASSISTS DEVELOPERS AND USERS IN UNDERSTANDING SOFTWARE LICENSING AND DETERMINING WHICH SOFTWARE IS ETHICALLY SAFE FOR THEM TO USE. IT ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, OFFERS GUIDANCE IN BEST PRACTICES, PUBLISHES ARTICLES ON FREE SOFTWARE LICENSING ISSUES, SENDS SPEAKERS TO EVENTS, INVESTIGATES AND RESOLVES VIOLATIONS OF THE GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE (GPL), LESSER GPL, AND GNU FREE DOCUMENTATION LICENSE, CERTIFIES HARDWARE PRODUCTS THAT RESPECT USER FREEDOM, AND PRESENTS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR LAWYERS.
OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE COMPILING AND MAINAINING A DIRECTORY OF FREE SOFTWARE FOR ALL OPERATING SYSTEMS AT DIRECTORY.FSF.ORG AND PUBLISHING PRINTED BOOKS AND SELLING CLOTHING RELATED TO THE USE OF AND ADVOCACY FOR FREE SOFWARE. INCLUDED IN TOTAL ARE EXPENSES RELATED TO DIRECTORY $33,010 AND GNU PRESS $82,340.
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PDF Copies of 990 Filings
Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
John Sullivan Clerk Ed To Feb 2022 | Trustee | 45 | $101,276 |
John Hsieh Deputy Director | Officer | 45 | $89,150 |
Zoe Kooyman Ed From Feb 2022 | Officer | 45 | $65,899 |
Geoffrey Knauth Treasurer President | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Ian Kelling Director | Trustee | 4 | $0 |
Richard M Stallman Director | Trustee | 4 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $691,571 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $220,200 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $929,988 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $84,400 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $1,841,759 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $3,322 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$14,384 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $37,970 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $1,875,386 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $256,325 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $17,943 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $651,832 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
| Other employee benefits | $186,666 |
| Payroll taxes | $82,340 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $8,123 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $23,330 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Other | $39,964 |
| Advertising and promotion | $66,259 |
| Office expenses | $13,217 |
| Information technology | $7,997 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $166,271 |
| Travel | $7,606 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $100,451 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $2,682 |
| Insurance | $8,176 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $1,687,885 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $239,532 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $2,041,270 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $200,000 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $15,946 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $0 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $18,595 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $295,975 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $13,228 |
| Total assets | $2,824,546 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $68,216 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $225,300 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $293,516 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $1,783,592 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $747,438 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $2,824,546 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 1 grants that Free Software Foundation Inc has recieved totaling $1,000.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Harvey Dan Kyle & Hunter Weinstein Family Foundation San Diego, CA PURPOSE: DEDICATED TO PROMOTING COMPUTER USERS' RIGHTS TO USE STUDY, COPY, MODIFY, AND REDISTRIBUTE COMPUTER PROGRAMS. | $1,000 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Griffiss Institute Inc Rome, NY | $5,351,291 | $13,272,090 |
Scratch Foundation Boston, MA | $12,660,412 | $10,034,461 |
Powermylearning Inc New York, NY | $8,303,195 | $9,294,963 |
Software Freedom Conservancy Inc Brooklyn, NY | $6,623,240 | $4,357,006 |
Owasp Foundation Inc Wakefield, MA | $1,369,843 | $2,158,507 |
New York City Foundation For Computer Science Education New York, NY | $1,500,469 | $2,506,361 |
Participatory Culture Foundation Boston, MA | $1,418,302 | $1,710,892 |
Free Software Foundation Inc Boston, MA | $2,824,546 | $1,875,386 |
Open Source Project For A Network Providence, RI | $716,267 | $982,751 |
Entropy Software Foundation Inc Woodbury, NY | $186,783 | $920,000 |
Ethereum Classic Cooperative Llc New York, NY | $5,145,057 | $5,191,092 |
Software In The Public Interest Inc New York, NY | $3,096,266 | $522,719 |