Free Software Foundation Inc

Analysis

Free Software Foundation Inc is a registered charity in United States, based in Boston, MA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1986, 40 years ago. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, Free Software Foundation Inc reported income of $1.1m and spending of $1.7m, spending 165% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income fell from $2.2m to $1.1m (-52%), an average of -17% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2020, when income dropped by 47%. Over the whole period it spent 120% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Free Software Foundation Inc sits at the 78th percentile: it is larger than about 78% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 80th percentile, and in the 79th percentile within MA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Hawaii Council for the Humanities ($1.1m), LA Goal ($1.1m) and American Hiking Society ($1.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 91% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $181k (10% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $657k. At year end it held assets of $1.8m against liabilities of $228k, net assets of $1.6m. It reported 12 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.