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Dear Free Software Supporter,

Free software only exists through the hard work of countless people.
Every single free software program was built on and lives through
community efforts, whether it be a few individuals or millions of
people. As we begin our [forty-first year][1] of advocating for [user
freedom][2], we will spend time this year recognizing projects and
groups of people that have contributed to the strength and
limitlessness of free software. We invite free software supporters
like you to join us in this spirit of gratitude, and will be offering
multiple ways for you to get involved.

[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]

If you've been following the Free Software Foundation (FSF) for quite
some time (we're glad you're here!), you know there are some projects
we don't talk about much in our publications. Generally, we make this
choice because these projects may include nonfree components or they
don't insist on [freedom][3] like the FSF does. For example, they may
use the term ["open source,"][4] a term which doesn't serve freedom.
While we cannot encourage users to interact with all such projects, we
will be expressing our gratitude in 2026 for the work that these
programs or projects have done, in conjunction with the fully free
builds of those programs, and how this work supports and furthers free
software as a whole.

[3]: [link removed]
[4]: [link removed]

Free software doesn't just pop into existence: it needs people every
step of the way. We are incredibly thankful for every person who
chooses to write, maintain, or improve free software, not just for the
program that is being worked on, but for the foundations laid for
future projects. It is because of their hard work that we can live so
much of our daily lives in freedom, have an internet powered by free
software, and a catalog of over 17,000 projects in the [Free Software
Directory][5], allowing everyone to use at least one
freedom-respecting program. The vast majority of computer and mobile phone
users use at least one libre program without even knowing it, all
thanks to countless free software developers, maintainers, and
contributors.

[5]: [link removed]

But, it isn't just contributors, maintainers, and developers who we
would like to thank: we must also recognize users. Without people
choosing to use free software in spite of [intense pressure][6] from
social norms, government, work, and peers, we wouldn't have much of a
movement to fight for. Every time someone uses a free software program
instead of a nonfree one, it sends a powerful message to proprietary
software companies and governments that digital freedom matters to us
all. Of course, we know the [path][7] towards freedom looks very
different for each user, and making the switch to free software in
every aspect of life isn't possible for everyone. Regardless of how
many free software programs you use every day, we are grateful you're
working with us towards a world that respects everyone's user freedom.

[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]

Making a list of all the free programs we use for any given task is a
daunting one even for us, and we're behind the [Free Software
Directory][8]! But in the interest of recognizing the projects and
programs that make this email possible, we'd like to start by thanking
[CiviCRM][9], [GNU Mailman][10], [Request Tracker (RT)][11],
[Gnus][12], and Mozilla Thunderbird, which is the basis of the fully
free ["Icedove"][13] build we use and recommend.

[8]: [link removed]
[9]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]
[11]: [link removed]
[12]: [link removed]
[13]: [link removed]

The FSF is currently having its year-end fundraiser. If only 10% of
people subscribed to this mailing list donate $5 USD, we will end 2025
having reached our [$400,000 USD fundraising goal][14]. Free software
matters for everyone, but we can't continue our work promoting user
freedom without your support. Become an [associate member][15] for as
little as $12 USD a month ($6 USD for students) or make a one-time
[donation][16].

[14]: [link removed]
[15]: [link removed]
[16]: [link removed]

Thank you for supporting free software,

Eko K. A. Owen
Outreach & Communications Coordinator

--
Interested in helping us expand our reach?

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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

31 Milk Street
# 960789
Boston, Massachusetts 02196
United States


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