Free Software Foundation Inc

EIN: 042888848 501(c)(3)

Boston, MA

Total Revenue
$1,177,880
Total Expenses
$1,579,069
Total Assets
$1,442,543
Net Assets
$1,351,511
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1985
Legal Domicile
MA
Principal Officer
Geoffrey Knauth
Tax Period
2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Free Software Foundation Inc, founded in 1985, is a community nonprofit that reported $1.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Expenses of $1.6M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 34% operating deficit.

Mission

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.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $657,429

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...

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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.

Program 2
Expenses: $339,880

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...

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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 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 ma

Program 3
Expenses: $308,618

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...

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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.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,101,073
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $45,139
Other Revenue $31,668
TOTAL REVENUE $1,177,880

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $7,814
Salaries & Benefits $1,095,716
Fundraising Expenses $99,051
Program Expenses $1,341,821
Other Expenses $475,539
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,579,069

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $1,177,880 $1,103,939 +0.1%
Expenses $1,579,069 $1,736,796 -0.1%
Net Income $-401,189 $-632,857 -0.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
10
Independent Members
11
Employees
13
Volunteers
2206

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$252,256
Total Directors
10
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Zoe Kooyman Executive Director 40.00
Officer
$141,630 $0 $141,630
Johanna Rozestraten Deputy DirectorNov 23-March 40.00
Officer
$84,251 $0 $84,251
John Hsieh Deputy Director to November 20.00
Officer
$26,375 $0 $26,375
John Gilmore Director from 62324 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Odile Benassy Director 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Christina Haralanova Director from 62324 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Alexandre Oliva Director 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Henry Poole Director 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Maria C Pievatolo Director from 62324 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Gerald Sussman Director 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ian Kelling Director Staff Seat 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Richard M Stallman Director 4.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Geoffrey Knauth Treasurer President 4.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 $1,177,880 $1,579,557 $1,442,055 $-401,677
2024 $1,177,880 $1,579,069 $1,442,543 $-401,189
2023 $1,103,939 $1,736,796 $1,979,281 $-632,857
2023 $1,053,536 $1,739,902 $1,818,559 $-686,366
2022 $1,352,816 $1,580,673 $2,363,877 $-227,857
2021 $1,339,791 $1,689,718 $2,638,303 $-349,927
2021 $1,875,386 $1,687,885 $2,824,546 $187,501
2020 $1,149,602 $1,809,358 $2,765,455 $-659,756
2019 $2,183,470 $1,687,523 $3,212,860 $495,947
2018 $2,628,996 $1,446,566 $2,646,904 $1,182,430
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