Open Source Pledge aims to fund software maintainers
Sentry has launched the Open Source Pledge to provide direct financial support to open-source software maintainers, reflecting the company's commitment to give back to the community.
The initiative aims to compensate maintainers and create a sustainable model aligned with Sentry's growth. Initially inspired by a donation-matching scheme, Sentry shifted focus to direct funding based on its dependency graph, employee votes, and engineering guidance.
After three years of increasing funding—now exceeding initial targets—Sentry aims to encourage other companies to participate. Co-founder David Cramer notes that while many founders discuss open-source sustainability, few take meaningful action beyond token contributions.
To join the Open Source Pledge, companies must commit $2,000 per engineer annually. With 135 engineers, Sentry's contribution amounts to $270,000, which, while a small fraction of its revenue, can make a significant impact.
Participating companies benefit from enhanced brand marketing and improved supply chain support, signaling appreciation for open-source contributions. Cramer emphasizes the importance of connecting with customers who value open source, enhancing brand reputation.
While the program's long-term success is uncertain, Cramer is optimistic about the community's support and hopes to inspire broader industry involvement in supporting open-source projects and their maintainers.