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Dear Free Software Supporter,
We surpassed our year-end goal of $400,000 USD! The year-end campaign
is over, but it's never too late to [become an FSF associate member][1]
or to [support][2] free software.
[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]
Please help us share our appreciation for all the support we received
during the 2024 year-end drive.
We wholeheartedly thank all those who support the FSF and thereby
software freedom through all forms of participation in the free
software movement, and we thank you for your patience while we asked
for your contributions during these important weeks. We want to thank
all our individual donors and members who gave to us what they could
spare, pushing our progress bar to its max. We *also* received a major
anonymous donation that put us well beyond our fundraising goal! This
overwhelming support from the community makes the FSF stronger and all
its staff feel empowered and motivated to take on our [fortieth][7]
year of promoting computer user freedom.
[7]: [link removed]
From financial support to working on code to contributing to the [Free
Software Directory (FSD)][3], and all the ways people volunteer at the
FSF and GNU, we receive so much continuous support and community
involvement throughout the year. We are tremendously grateful for it.
During this fundraiser, dedicated volunteers helped us ship all the
merchandise people from all over the world ordered from the GNU Press
shop. The quiet but important work that volunteers do every day on the
[licensing][4] and [tech][5] teams was brought to light in two of our
appeals. And of course, many free software supporters helped us put
pressure on Microsoft during [International Day against DRM 2024][6]
and [keep doing so][8], including those who stepped up to explain how
Microsoft and the like are exercising Digital Restrictions
Management. We feel incredibly honored that so many people are willing
to join us in supporting software freedom however they can.
[3]: [link removed]
[4]: [link removed]
[5]: [link removed]
[6]: [link removed]
[8]: [link removed]
It was an absolute pleasure to see the creative designs that engaged
community members came up with for the [FSF Anniversary Logo
Contest][9], and we're delighted to see how many associate members
have [voted for their favorite logo][10].
[9]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]
We're also thankful for all the positive feedback we received for our
latest articles such as the [message from president Geoff Knauth][11]
and the article about [mental health apps][12], a topic we also
presented on [WHCR 90.3 FM][13].
[11]: [link removed]
[12]: [link removed]
[13]: [link removed]
### Continue your involvement
During this year-end campaign, we highlighted in the *[Bulletin][14]*,
in [articles][15], and on our [website][16] how important free
software is as a building block for a free society. Please also
continue to [advocate for free software adoption in your
government][17].
[14]: [link removed]
[15]: [link removed]
[16]: [link removed]
[17]: [link removed]
Another way how you can get involved is by organizing a [community
meetup][18] in May. We'll share some tips and tricks on to help
organize one soon, so stay tuned.
[18]: [link removed]
Lastly, remember to invite your friends to celebrate with us and share
the message that the FSF turns forty this year on your favorite free
social media platform using the hashtag #FSF40.
### Upcoming in the next months
We started a [video series on the command line][19] and plan on
publishing more videos in the coming weeks. Subscribe to our [PeerTube
channel][20] to stay tuned. Tomorrow, we'll announce the winning
design of the FSF Anniversary Logo Contest. We can't wait to see it
displayed on the FSF homepage and printed on all of the celebration
materials. We will also announce the date of next year's
[International Day against DRM][21] soon. On the first weekend of
February, you can [meet the FSF staff at FOSDEM 2025][22] in Brussels,
Belgium.
[19]: [link removed]
[20]: [link removed]
[21]: [link removed]
[22]: [link removed]
Then, in March, we will have our first memorabilia auction, starting
as a silent auction on March 17, and culminating in a virtual live
auction on March 23. This is your chance to get your very own personal
souvenir of the FSF, from original GNU art to a famous katana, and the
very same VT220 that was standing on the FSF's front desk, which
people often used to display ASCII art and play free software games.
With your help, we'll celebrate the month of May as Libre Local Month
and are inviting free software supporters like you everywhere in the
world to organize or join an in-person [community meetup][23] in your
area to bring people together. Next week, we'll share some more
information on this topic.
[23]: [link removed]
With gratitude,
Miriam Bastian
Program Manager
--
Interested in helping us expand our reach?
* Follow us on Mastodon at <[link removed]> and PeerTube at <[link removed]>, showing your support for federated social networks.
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