DSF 2026 Fundraising Goals

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. Our current monthly recurring donations are around $9,000 per month. To reach $500,000 annually, we need to grow that to approximately $15,000 per month.

Reaching this goal will require 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 moving 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 together, $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, launch 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 return, 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 GitHub 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 thinking about it, now is a great time to start.

Thanks to all our existing sponsors and donors, Django has been able to sustain community initiatives over the past several years.

Spread the Word

If you cannot contribute financially right now, you can still help by spreading the word. Share this post. Mention Django's funding needs the next time someone asks how to give back to open source. Tell your employer about corporate membership.

A Note on Transparency

We publish monthly balance snapshots in our board minutes. The foundation started 2026 with around $222,000 in operating reserves. We take stewardship of those funds seriously, and you should always be able to see where we stand. Those reserves help ensure continuity of operations and provide financial stability for the foundation's ongoing commitments.

Looking Ahead

A significant portion of our funding comes directly from the community through individual donations, memberships, sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns. That ongoing support is one of the clearest signals that Django still matters to the people who build with it every day, and we are deeply grateful for it.

Every Django release, security advisory, ticket review, and mentoring interaction represents countless hours of work from people who care deeply about the framework and community. The DSF exists to make sure that work remains sustainable and that contributors have the support they need to keep Django healthy for everyone who depends on it.

Raising our goal is not about growth for growth's sake. It is about stability, sustainability, and making sure the project, the Fellows, and the broader community have what they need for the years ahead.

We believe $500,000 is achievable. If you have ever benefited from Django, professionally or personally, now is a great time to give back.

Thank you for being part of this community.