Why Django Supports the Open Source Pledge | Weblog

Why Django supports the Open Source Pledge

Posted by Thibaud Colas and Sentry on October 8, 2024

We at the Django Software Foundation are pleased to announce that Sentry, along with other partners, has launched the Open Source Pledge – an initiative designed to address sustainability issues in open source.

The Open Source Pledge is a commitment by member companies to meaningfully pay OSS maintainers for their work. When administrators are adequately supported, they can better support their projects, ensuring the growth, stability and security of the broader ecosystem.

The sustainability challenge in the Django community

In our community and OSS at large, the challenge is real and significant. Django packages are often maintained by small teams or even individuals, often unpaid. As the demands on these projects increase, so does the pressure on administrators. And without financial support, administrators often move on without a clear succession plan. The potential failure of these projects impacts not only the developers involved, but also the thousands of companies and millions of users who rely on these critical infrastructure components.

Here are a few examples of Django packages in the top 10 by download counts:

The arguments for joining the pledge

The Open Source Pledge is simple yet impactful: member companies commit a minimum of $2,000 per year, per developer employed, to support open source maintainers. Additionally, companies are encouraged to publish an annual report detailing their payments, creating transparency and accountability within the community.

We encourage companies of all sizes to join the Pledge and contribute to the sustainability of the software we all depend on. By making a financial commitment, you not only support the administrators; you invest in the stability, security and growth of the entire technology ecosystem.

If you are interested in joining the Open Source Pledge or learning more about the sustainability issues facing OSS, visit the initiative’s page. Together we can build a stronger, more sustainable open source future. And if you believe in this cause, we encourage you to share this post to raise awareness and inspire further commitments from colleagues and partners.

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