Free software is an important building block to a free society

Free software makes up the building blocks to so many things and is an important tool for building and sustaining a free society. You can use free software to build programs that work for you, combine things as you wish, and share these building blocks with others. In a free society and with technology being all over, everyone should have these essential freedoms. This is why the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has published and promoted free software licenses since 1985, sponsors the GNU System, and campaigns for free software adoption everywhere.

Powered by member dues and donations, the FSF can only continue to be a core pillar of software freedom with your support. Build a better world with us -- join the thousands of free software enthusiasts who support us financially with individual contributions averaging USD $46.22

The FSF can only continue to be the cornerstone of a more just digital society with the support of the community. Share this message using the hashtag #CornerstoneOfAFreeSociety on social media networks.

Your contribution funds:

• campaigns to raise awareness of software freedom issues such as Defective by Design, Email Self Defense, End Software Patents, and Fight to Repair;
• the organization of events, conferences, workshops, and forums where the free software community can meet up, learn together, and organize around projects, ideas, and protests;
• the GNU Project—the ongoing effort to provide a complete operating system licensed as free software;
• the Free Software Licensing and Compliance Lab, which ensures that free software distributors respect their obligations to pass on the four freedoms to all users;
• the certification of free hardware to help you choose a device that respects your freedom;
• the Free Software Directory, a catalog of useful free software;
• the advancement and maintenance of sixty-three different resources, websites, and services for free software developers and enthusiasts.

Here are some examples what we've recently been working on:

Receive a unique gift

Donate USD $140 or more, or join as an associate member before December 31, 2024, and we will send you a set of five unique postcards which will help you promote computer user freedom. As free software supporter Yvo Brasseur explains: "140 Euro is 0,38 Euro/ day and 2,69 Euro/week... I can't have a beer for that in Belgium."

Donate USD $500 or more before December 31, 2024, and you'll get an embroidered, one-of-a-kind "I love free software" cap to keep for yourself or gift to a loved one!

Why other people support the FSF financially

• "I want this world to be free and secure by default." -- Johannes Randerath
• "I believe free software is key to building a free society. I'm eager to learn how to get rid of all the proprietary software I use nowadays!" -- Manuel Bustillo
• "My friend and I debated the most utilitarian use of $20 and the FSF came out on top." -- Cassidy Prather
• "To support a cause that I believe in." -- John Williams
• "I am absolutely tired of having my privacy violated." -- Benjamin Bennett
• "I want to get in touch with like-minded people and promote the spread of free software to a wider audience." -- Jakub Švarc
• "To support the GNU project and all its awesome tools." -- Spenser Pulleyking
• "Enthusiasm for the development and use of free software." -- Léo Gillet
• "The world does not realise enough how important your work is for the future. And 140 Euro is 0,38 Euro/ day and 2,69 Euro/week... I can't have a beer for that in Belgium." -- Yvo Brasseur
• "I also want to give back to the people who have greatly helped enable the technology we enjoy today." -- Chris Duncan

Share why you support the FSF with the hashtag #CornerstoneOfAFreeSociet, or email us at [email protected].

Spread the free software message using these images

Download the SVG source for these "Do your daily work with free software" images.