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Dear Free Software Supporter,

Please help us share our gratitude.

January 20, 2022 marked the end of our most recent fundraising
campaign and associate member drive. All said and done, the Free
Software Foundation (FSF) achieved a benchmark of 390 new members. Of
these new members, we had a dozen ["gift memberships"][1] — another
great way to give friends, family, and colleagues the gift of freedom.

[1]: [link removed]

Most importantly, new memberships mean new connections in the
movement. We are grateful for all forms of participation in the free software
movement -- everything from contributing to the [Free Software
Directory][2], to contributing code, to taking action in activities
such as last year's International Day Against DRM (IDAD), [which took
aim at Disney+'s unethical streaming platform][3] -- we wholeheartedly
appreciate everyone's effort.

[2]: [link removed]
[3]: [link removed]

**390 new members take their first step!**

With a goal of 500 new memberships, we knew we were being
ambitious. However, we'd rather fail at meeting high expectations than
aim too low -- despite not getting all the way, the results were
inspiring. In the end, we achieved 390 new members, for which we are
very grateful. We also want to our express gratitude to contributors
who helped us achieve the almost $400,000 raised during the time frame
of the year-end fundraiser campaign. Fiscal contributions help the FSF
continue to reach new people and communities. Those who donated $500
or more and give their permission will be publicly acknowledged in the
monthly newsletter, the *Free Software Supporter*, as well as on our
[social media channels][4]. Look for such donors via the hashtag
[#ThankGNU][5]

[4]: [link removed]
[5]: [link removed]

Besides generous support for us via new memberships and other
contributions, we received a lot of behind the scenes support and
community involvement. For example, the [LibrePlanet][6] committee has
been working hard to create a great schedule (soon to be released) for
the annual conference. Also, people have been sharing their stories of
how they learned about free software at the [Freedom Ladder][7]
event. Meanwhile, volunteers are continuing to sign up to help with
LibrePlanet conference organization. In addition to all of this, we
already have some volunteers assisting with the preparations for the
more technically demanding LibreAdventure.

We are still welcoming new volunteers. If you would like to help for
this year's conference, please email <[email protected]>.

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

### Some ways to keep the momentum going

New to free software? Long time user, steeped in living liberation?
Either way, if you are interested in sharing your story of how you
discovered free software, then please check out our Freedom Ladder
campaign, where you can read stories from others who have joined the
movement as well as share your own story.

>"I love rights, I love the people, I love the idea, and I love the
> fact that I can fix my computer if I have a bug!"

-- *"[Share your free software story survey][8]" participant, Young
Green Baron, in response to "What keeps you committed to free
software?"*

[8]: [link removed]

Interested in sharing your story? [Fill out our form online][9] to
share.

[9]: [link removed]

### Upcoming: LibrePlanet 2022

We invite you to join us for this year's
conference. [Registration][10] is now open.

[10]: [link removed]

In freedom,

Devin Ulibarri
Outreach & Communications Coordinator

--
* Follow us on Mastodon at <[link removed]>, GNU social at
<[link removed]>, PeerTube at <[link removed]>, and on Twitter at @fsf.
* Read about why we use Twitter, but only with caveats at <[link removed]>.
* Subscribe to our RSS feeds at <[link removed]>.
* Join us as an associate member at <[link removed]>.
* Read our Privacy Policy at <[link removed]>.

Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1335
United States


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