How should open source projects be funded?
Should developers receive money for their work?
What successful funding initiatives work?
Should software foundations take money from the public?
The Open Technology Fund (OTF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to internet freedom, digital security, and the protection of free expression. It funds and supports open-source technologies that help people worldwide to circumvent censorship, avoid surveillance, and communicate securely online.
Some of the most well-known projects supported by OTF include:
- Signal (encrypted communication),
- Tor (anonymous browsing),
- Psiphon (censorship circumvention), and
- Let’s Encrypt (free SSL certificates).
OTF is primarily funded by the U.S. government, particularly through the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). During the Trump administration, there were attempts in 2020 to take control of OTF and redirect its funding, which sparked international protests.
Despite political challenges, OTF remains a key institution in defending digital rights and protecting activists, journalists, and civil society groups across the world.
https://nlnet.nl/ is another organization funding projects like Jitsi and Wireguard.