Python Software Foundation

“The Python Software Foundation is focused on promoting and supporting a diverse, international community. Elected Board Directors usually work at organizations that are part of our community, sponsor the Python Software Foundation, and/or volunteer in some other way. More than one Board member may be employed by the same organization. To prevent a single entity gaining a majority of Python Software Foundation board seats, the Python Software Foundation began community discussions about a bylaw change in 2020. In June 2021, the bylaws were changed to cap common affiliation, or co-affiliation, of Board members at one quarter (1/4) of the total Board. A common affiliation is defined as all organizations that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the other entities declared as affiliations by other members of the Board of Directors.”

“In June 2021, two changes were made to the Python Software Foundation bylaws; both were voted on and approved by the voting members in June 2021. First, the bylaws were changed to cap common affiliation, or co-affiliation, of Board members at one quarter (1/4) of the total Board. A common affiliation is defined as all organizations that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the other entities declared as affiliations by other members of the Board of Directors. Second, the bylaws were updated to allow the Python Software Foundation Board to fully delegate Fellow approvals to the Fellows Work Group. The Fellows Work Group is composed of Fellow members and accepts, votes, and approves Fellows nominations.”

“The Python Software Foundation offers five classes of members: Basic Members, Supporting Members, Managing Members, Contributing Members, and Fellows. Supporting Members, Managing Members, Contributing Members, and Fellows are eligible for voting privileges. Basic Members are individuals or entities who are part of the Python language community and who have decided to declare their support for Python and agree to the community Code of Conduct; there is no membership fee to become a Basic Member. Supporting Members make an annual donation to the PSF. Managing members dedicate at least five hours per month working to support the Python ecosystem in one of the PSF's working groups. Contributing members dedicate at least five hours per month working on projects that advance the mission of the PSF; the work relates to the creation or maintenance of open source software available to the public at no charge. Fellows are members nominated from the broader community and elevated by a vote of the members for extraordinary efforts and impact upon Python, the community, and the broader Python ecosystem.”

“Supporting Members, Managing Members, Contributing Members, and Fellows are eligible for voting privileges. Voting members elect Fellows and the Board of Directors. Basic Members have no voting rights.”

“Form 990 and associated schedules are prepared by the PSF Accounting staff. Copies of the draft Form 990 (including required schedules) are distributed to the Finance Committee in electronic form for review and approval. The PSF Accounting staff make updates as needed. Copies of the updated draft Form 990 are then distributed to the Board of Directors in electronic form for review and approval prior to electronic signature.”

“Each Director, Officer, and Key Employees must review and sign the conflict of interest policy and fill out a related questionnaire. The signed documents are kept by the Executive Director. The highest standards of ethics apply for all PSF Members, Officers, and Directors. Possible conflicts of interest are disclosed in writing to all decision-makers prior to any action. Directors, Officers, and Key Employees may recuse themselves from votes to avoid a conflict of interest; Board votes must pass by a majority of the disinterested directors. A full explanation of the conflict of interest policy can be found at the Python Software Foundation's website at https://www.python.org/psf/records/board/policies/conflict/.”

“Annually, the Board of Directors reviews the performance and compensation of the Executive Director. The Board Chair leads the review conducted with the Executive Committee. No person with a conflict of interest is involved in the performance review and compensation recommendation.”

“No changes have been made to the organizing or governing documents of the Python Software Foundation. Organizing and governing documents, as well as financial records, are available upon request and publicly available at python.org/psf/records.”

“At the end of 2020, Python Software Foundation's Packaging Work Group received a large, one-time grant to improve PyPI/Packaging and CPython development from Google.”

“When adding activities, discontinuing activities, and, annually, the Python Software Foundation's management reviews and analyzes the activity against the approved tax-exempt mission. If any activity is deemed not to fit into the tax-exempt mission, it is documented, discussed with the Board of Directors and disclosed on Form 990. For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, all activities fit into the Python Software Foundation's approved tax-exempt mission.”

“PyCon US 2020 was originally scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh, PA. However, both the United States and the State of Pennsylvania have asked that large gatherings be postponed or canceled. The PSF worked to cancel contracts and refund advance registration and sponsor payments to reduce financial exposure. Although the in-person conference was canceled, the PSF provided online content free of charge to continue our mission of worldwide Python education and discussion. Also due to COVID-19 restrictions, the PSF paused the grants program until September 2020 with the focus on supporting virtual events.”

“The Python Software Foundation receives complimentary hosting and other information technology services from several providers including Fastly, Amazon Web Services, Digital Ocean, Google, and Heroku.”

“The Python Software Foundation (PSF) aims to maintain cash reserves to offset the risk of lower-than-expected attendance at PyCon or fluctuations in individual and corporate giving patterns.”

“The Audit Committee is a subset of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors and is responsible for selecting an auditor. The Python Software Foundation engaged Gary Eisenkraft, CPAs, PA to provide the first independent audit of the organizations financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Python Software Foundation intends to engage an external auditor each year going forward.”