Fund Your Favorite Open Source Projects With the New Github Sponsorship Program
We’re big fans of open source software and the ideal of freedom, security and transparency that often drives such projects. But software development and maintenance is expensive, and even the most capable open source developers need help from time to time. Fortunately, Github has made it much easier to directly support projects and programmers you care about.
Github , one of the largest repositories for hosting open source projects, now allows users to donate to projects , teachers, coders, and others who submit their work to the site. The system is similar to Patreon and other creator support platforms, allowing sponsors to set a monthly donation amount, while creators can create benefit levels to encourage sponsors to contribute more each month.
How to sponsor a developer on Github
To sponsor a developer on Github, you first need a Github account . Once registered, you can sponsor another user by clicking the pink Sponsor heart-shaped icon next to their profile name. Users who sponsor others will also have the Sponsorship badge.
Please note that not all developers will have access to this feature first, but those interested in a sponsored program should sign up for a sponsorship beta waiting list.
The sponsor function is currently in beta and will remain so for next year. During this time, Github will likely make system changes in response to user feedback and usage metrics, but both sponsors and developers will receive several perks during those first 12 months. First, all transaction fees will be waived for sponsors (they will be introduced after the beta period ends). On the other hand, to encourage open source developers to use the sponsorship service, Microsoft has pledged up to $ 5,000 in first year contributions.
While the Github sponsorship program can potentially help open source programmers make a living (or at least increase their income) with their jobs, there is a strong counter-argument to monetary incentives for developers. Open source software is usually developed to solve a problem or create a free alternative to premium and / or centralized applications or services. The concern with these monetization models is that they might pressure creators to focus on developing the software that makes the most money and neglect more niche projects.
However, monetary support is not a new concept in the open source world. Many open source developers have hints on platforms like Paypal or Ko-fi, and many free apps include (and encourage contributions) donation links. Transparency is key here, and the Github model encourages developers to disclose all financial contributions they receive, including from Patreon, Tidelift, Open Collective, or elsewhere, and new Github sponsorship features help bring these opportunities together for both developers and and for those who want to support them.