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Read and share online: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/390-new-members-take-their-first-step-our-gratitude-to-all-who-helped

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" — another great way to give friends, family, and colleagues the gift of freedom.

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, 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 -- we wholeheartedly appreciate everyone's effort.

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. Look for such donors via the hashtag #ThankGNU

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 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 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].

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" participant, Young Green Baron, in response to "What keeps you committed to free software?"

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

Upcoming: LibrePlanet 2022

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

In freedom,

Devin Ulibarri
Outreach & Communications Coordinator