Just 38 more people are needed to reach a goal of 100 new members, with a deadline of January 16. That’s the current status of a push to bolster support for software freedom, a concept increasingly vital as digital life encroaches on fundamental rights.
Associate members are central to the organization’s mission to secure a free society, where software plays a critical role in protecting freedoms like the right to privacy and the freedom to access information. These rights are increasingly threatened by mass surveillance and restrictions on digital access.
For the organization’s staff and volunteers, associate members are crucial to supporting the larger global free software community. Becoming a member strengthens collective efforts to advocate for software freedom and builds a stable funding base for ongoing work. Members also gain access to benefits and resources that empower them to actively promote free software.
The Foundation’s Work: Licensing, Tech, and Advocacy
The support of associate members enables the organization to serve as a leading resource for free software developers through its Free Software Licensing and Compliance Lab. This includes maintaining the GNU project and the GNU General Public License (GPL), ensuring they remain strong for software freedom. The tech team provides essential technical infrastructure, protecting and maintaining systems for the GNU project and other free software initiatives, while consistently upholding the current standard of software freedom.
Want verified free software? The Free Software Directory offers thousands of packages. The organization’s advocacy campaigns address pressing issues, such as the safety concerns surrounding self-driving cars and the dangers of government surveillance, as highlighted by reports from the Electronic Frontier Foundation on ICE’s surveillance spending.
For as little as $12 USD a month ($6 USD for students), you can join the community by becoming an associate member before the January 16 deadline. Those facing economic challenges can explore a friends-tier associate membership.
Associate members help resist the efforts of proprietary software companies and their allies to control and track users. They contribute to a future where software empowers, rather than restricts, individual freedom.
Join the organization today and help meet the goal!
What is “free software”? It’s not just about price. “Free” refers to freedom – the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software.
- The organization is aiming to welcome 100 new associate members by January 16.
- Associate membership supports the organization’s work in promoting software freedom.
- Membership benefits include access to resources and a stronger voice in advocating for user rights.
- The organization’s work includes licensing, technical infrastructure, and advocacy campaigns.
