The Apache Software Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The budget is tiny: a little over one million USD annually for ~200 projects, or around $

The Apache Software Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The budget is tiny: a little over one million USD annually for ~200 projects, or around $5-6k per project. Running an inexpensive operation is key to avoiding being excessively dependent on sponsors. The ASF is incredibly valuable and there's no question that there are potential sponsors out there would would be willing to give a lot more money in exchange for more direct influence. Being a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) -- as opposed to a 501(c)(6) -- in fact makes it easier to avoid that influence because it is so cumbersome for a 501(c)(3) to receive and spend direct donations without running afoul of the IRS. The downside is that the ASF doesn't have a zillion dollars to blow on marketing and so people undervalue it.