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The problem with trying to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is that you have to show a "charitable purpose", which can sometimes be hard to do ("supporting open-sou
by codesections 7y ago
The problem with trying to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is that you have to show a "charitable purpose", which can sometimes be hard to do ("supporting open-source software" is not a valid charitable purpose under current US law, sadly enough) [not legal advice]
- wrycoder 7y agoEducational 501(c)(3) foundations meet that requirement.
- tyre 7y agoI don't think this foundation would qualify. I'm so incredibly not a lawyer, but my understanding is that educational 501c3s need to be predominately educational, in that they have classes and a physical location. If the primary purpose of the Rust foundation is open source code and standardizing the language, it's not exactly educational.
- benji-york 7y agoFor what it's worth, the Python foundation is a 501(c)3: https://www.python.org/psf/ https://www.python.org/psf/
- throwawaymath 7y agoI successfully started a 501(c)(3) private foundation for precisely the charitable purpose of "supporting (scientific) open source software" in 2017. The IRS granted it with no questions asked. Also not legal advice, but I literally did it so...