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Django has grown far beyond a web framework. It powers businesses, nonprofits, startups, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure around the world. The Django Software Foundation exists to support that ecosystem, and none of that work is possible without funding. This year, the board set an ambitious new fundraising goal, and I want to be transparent about what we are aiming for and why it matters. Before talking about where we want to go, it's important to recognize that everything the DSF does today

is possible because of the organizations and individuals who already support Django. Their contributions fund the work that keeps Django healthy, secure, and sustainable, and we are deeply grateful for that support. Our 2026 Goal: $500,000 This year, we are raising our annual fundraising goal from $300,000 to $500,000. That is a meaningful increase, and it reflects where the foundation needs to be. To reach this goal, we need to raise an additional $16,000 per month in recurring support. Reaching this goal will req

uire both new supporters and increased support from existing donors. Doing so will help us maintain the programs the community relies on while creating room for future growth. What the Money Funds Before asking for support, it is only fair to explain where the money goes. The largest line item in our budget is the Django Fellows program . Our three Fellows dedicate their time to triaging tickets, reviewing pull requests, managing releases, handling security issues, and doing the essential work that keeps Django mov

ing forward. Without sustained funding, we cannot maintain this program. Beyond the Fellows, the DSF: Manages the Django trademark and legal protections Funds the infrastructure that keeps djangoproject.com and related services running Provides grants to DjangoCon events around the world, including DjangoCon US, DjangoCon Europe, and DjangoCon Africa Funds regional Django Days, sprints, and community events Supports Django Girls events through grants Invests in community programs like Djangonaut Space Taken togethe

r, $500,000 in annual funding would allow us to sustain our three Fellows, maintain operational support for the DSF, create a clear path to hiring an Executive Director, and expand our ability to support the Django ecosystem at scale. Hiring an Executive Director For most of its history, the DSF has been powered almost entirely by volunteers, with board members handling fundraising, grants, trademarks, and operations on top of their day jobs. That commitment has carried the foundation a long way, but it also limits

how much we can take on. That is why we are working toward hiring an Executive Director this year. An Executive Director would give the foundation dedicated, day-to-day leadership: someone who can build lasting relationships with sponsors, grow our fundraising programs, strengthen support for our volunteers and working groups, and turn the board's long-term plans into steady progress. We are optimistic about what this role would unlock. With dedicated operational support, the DSF could pursue larger partnerships, l

aunch new programs, and respond more quickly to the community's needs. Reaching our fundraising goal is a key part of making that a reality. Ways to Support Django Sponsored Fellow: The Highest-Impact Way to Support Django This year, the DSF is introducing a Sponsored Fellow corporate membership tier, a new way for organizations to make a direct, visible investment in Django's future. As a Sponsored Fellow sponsor, your company directly funds one of the Django Fellows who keep the framework running every day. In re

turn, you receive the highest level of recognition the DSF offers. Depending on the partnership, that can include your company's logo and information featured in Django release announcements, recognition through the Fellows' work at conferences and community events, advertising opportunities across DSF communications, and visibility across DSF publications and promotional materials throughout the year. Django releases reach tens of thousands of developers. The Fellows represent Django at DjangoCon events around the

world. If you want your company's name and logo in front of the global Django community, this is the most direct path to get there. This tier is designed for organizations that depend on Django at scale and want to do more than write a check. It is a partnership, and we will work with you to make sure your sponsorship is visible and meaningful. To learn more or start a conversation about the Sponsored Fellow tier, reach out through our Contact the DSF page. Corporate Membership Corporate membership is a proven way

for organizations to support the DSF. Tiers range from Bronze at $2,000 per year up to Platinum at $150,000 per year. Member organizations receive recognition on djangoproject.com, benefits in our community channels, and the knowledge that they are directly funding the framework their teams depend on. To learn more or get started, visit djangoproject.com/foundation/corporate-membership/ . Individual Donations Individual donations add up. Whether it is a one-time gift or a small monthly contribution, every bit helps

us reach our monthly target and plan ahead with more confidence. You can donate via our donate page or through Open Collective , which we added last year to make recurring donations easier. Employer Donation Matching Many companies offer donation matching programs that can double or even triple the impact of an individual contribution. If your employer has a matching program, the DSF is typically eligible. Check with your HR or finance team and put that benefit to work. GitHub Sponsors We have also raised our GitHu

b Sponsors goal to $15,000 per month to better reflect the level of ongoing support Django needs. We are currently over $9,000 per month, so we are well on our way, but there is still ground to cover. If you already sponsor Django through GitHub, thank you. If you have been th...