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.”

“The mission of the Python Software Foundation (PSF) is to promote, protect, and advance the open source Python programming language and to support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international community of Python programmers. The PSF: (1) Produces the core Python distribution including the Python language, its standard libraries and documentation, installers, source code, educational materials, and assorted tools and applications, (2) Establishes PSF licenses conform to the Open Source Definition and ensures the public to freely obtain, use, redistribute, and modify PSF intellectual property, (3) Protects the Python name, and the names, service marks and trademarks, (4) Raises funds to support PSF programs and services, (5) Publicizes, promotes the adoption of, and facilitates the ongoing development of Python-related technology, research, grants, conferences, and educational resources in the public interest.”

“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, 2021, all activities fit into the Python Software Foundation's approved tax-exempt mission.”

“PyCon US is the largest annual gathering for the community that uses and develops the open-source Python programming language. PyCon US 2021 was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns. The conference included high-quality talks, tutorials, keynotes, and virtual meeting spaces for attendees to learn about our sponsors, discover the job market, explore Python projects and meet fellow Python community members. At least 2,650 attendees participated virtually in the online conference with over 100 sessions garnering 23,000 unique views over 5 days. 49 virtual booths including sponsors, startup row companies, open source projects and poster sessions were visited more than 24,000 booth visits”

“The PSF funds programming development efforts to advance and maintain the core Python language, its associated libraries, and significant allied projects central to the Python community. These efforts include the Packaging Work Group, which improves and maintains the Python packaging ecosystem through fundraising and disbursement of raised funds. The Packaging Work Group focuses on efforts such as PyPI, pip, packaging.python.org, setuptools, and cross project efforts. A major 2020 grant from Bloomberg along with other sponsorships centers on advancing the PyPI package repository; one major initiative included brining on a new Python Packaging Project Manager to identify and prioritize new feature development. Another major 2020 grant from Google funded a CPython Developer-in-Residence, who focused on CPython improvements and bug tracking and fixing. The PSF funded the annual CPython Core Developer sprint, held virtually, in Fall 2021. These program initiatives also include funds for trademark and copyright investments.”

“The PSF provides fiscal sponsorship for Python-focused user groups and projects. These groups hold regular education and networking meetings and/or present regional Python conferences. The PSF and each fiscal sponsoree work together to manage donor contributions wisely and maximize our ability to pursue the PSF's charitable mission. Sponsored groups in 2021 included continued support of Pallets (Flask), PyLadies, PyCascades, Boston Python, PhillyPUG, PuPPy, PyBeach, PyHawaii, PyMNtos, and San Diego Python. 3 new fiscal sponsorees joined the PSF in 2021: Jazzband, PyPA, and PyRVA.”

“The PSF funds programming development efforts to advance and maintain the core Python language, its associated libraries, and significant allied projects central to the Python community. These efforts include the Packaging Work Group, which improves and maintains the Python packaging ecosystem through fundraising and disbursement of raised funds. The Packaging Work Group focuses on efforts such as PyPI, pip, packaging.python.org, setuptools, and cross project efforts. Grant resources were dedicated to advancing the PyPI package repository including adding a Python Packaging Project Manager to identify and prioritize new feature development. A CPython Developer-in-Residence has focused on new releases of CPython and handling bug tracker pull requests. These program initiatives also include funds for trademark and copyright investments.”

“The Python Software Foundation relies on volunteer efforts to achieve many of its goals. The PSF Board of Directors offers recognition of work which significantly improves the Foundation's fulfillment of its mission and benefits the broader Python community including contributions of code and efforts in community action. The intention of these awards is to demonstrate that service to the Python community does lead to recognition and reward, rather than to provide a direct incentive to contributors. Python Software Foundation celebrated the efforts of 11 community members through Community Service Awards in 2021.”

“The Python Software Foundation receives complimentary hosting and other information technology services from several providers including Fastly, Amazon Web Services, Digital Ocean, and Heroku. A major 2020 grant from Bloomberg along with other sponsorships funded a new Python Packaging Project Manager to identify and prioritize new feature development. Another major 2020 grant from Google funded a CPython Developer-in-Residence, who focused on CPython improvements and bug tracking and fixing.”

“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.”