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Dear Free Software
Supporter,
When the Free Software Foundation (FSF) officially ended our [annual
membership drive][1] on January 18, the freedom train banner progress
bar read 487/500 new members. With 500 new members in eight weeks
being an ambitious goal, that's already an incredibly strong show of
support! But there's more -- because of massive delays with the United
States Postal Service due to the pandemic, we are still receiving new
member signups that were mailed during the fundraiser. And there are
[gift memberships][2] that were purchased but don't count until they
are redeemed. This means that when all is said and done, we think we
*did* reach our target of 500. This support has put us in a strong
position to do our work in 2021, holding the line for your freedom and
making new inroads against the proprietary establishment. We are
beyond grateful for your generous support and your help in creating
awareness about free software.
[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]
Whether you've been around for some of the thirty-five years that
we've been an organization, or just joined us, we hope that you'll
continue to support our efforts for a world where users are in full
control of the software that powers all of their devices.
We closed our fundraiser with the launch of a new cyberpunk-themed
animated video called [*Fight to Repair*][3], emphasizing the
crucial need for users to be able to modify and fix the software
components in the hardware they rely on in daily life. It's been
inspiring to see the response the video has received in the free
software community, and since its release, thanks to volunteers
everywhere, eleven [translations][4] are on their way, helping to make
our message accessible to more viewers around the globe. *Fight to
Repair* is one more way we're bringing free software to the kitchen
table, making it easier to let your friends and loved ones know how
important it is to protect and fight for their software freedom. This
video is only the beginning, and we will continue fighting for your
right to repair, in partnership with other like-minded groups -- keep
an eye on our new [campaign page][5] for more information.
[3]: [link removed]
[4]: [link removed]
[5]: [link removed]
If you are new to the FSF community, or just curious to learn more
about the FSF's thirty-five year history, recent articles in our blog
have covered the origins of, and some of our favorite anecdotes from,
the FSF's three main spheres of work: [technical projects][6],
[campaigns][7], and [licensing][8]. Talking to past staff members and
FSF alumni about their favorite moments in free software history was a
blast for us, and we hope the stories we collected will inspire you to
take the next steps in your personal journey toward software freedom.
[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]
[8]: [link removed]
Next on deck for the FSF, we're ramping up for this year's
[LibrePlanet][9] conference, which has a theme of "Empowering Users."
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the conference will be held virtually
using our entirely free videoconferencing setup, and
[registration][10] for the conference is now open. Being an FSF
[associate member][11] grants you gratis perks, in addition to our
other [membership benefits][12], like access to our free "as in
freedom" videoconferencing server. LibrePlanet 2021 will be
livestreamed for everyone. However, we do request that you register
in advance for the conference, in order to help us prepare.
[9]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]
[11]: [link removed]
[12]: [link removed]
Your support during and beyond this fundraiser allows us to get 2021
off to a running start, and it has a direct impact on each of the
FSF's initiatives. The injustices being pioneered by "Big Tech"
corporations like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon seem to be
getting worse by the day, but as our executive director John Sullivan
stated in his comments during the [FSF35][13] anniversary celebration,
free software is the "biggest tech" there is. We're so humbled that so
many of you included us in your giving plans during this challenging
year, and we will work hard to make a positive impact. The FSF staff
is small but committed to our goals, so you can be assured we'll [put
your donations to good use][14], bringing us all closer to our goal of
a world powered by free software.
[13]: [link removed]
[14]: [link removed]
Sincerely,
Greg Farough
Campaigns Manager
--
* Follow us on Mastodon at <[link removed]>, GNU social at
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PeerTube at <[link removed]>, and on Twitter at @fsf.
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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1335
United States
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