From 2438b93271b7abbec457b6711d0cc2082f212787 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Oli Scherer Date: Wed, 6 May 2026 10:06:22 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Announce the RFMF --- ...foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement.md | 46 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 46 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/rust-foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement.md diff --git a/content/rust-foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement.md b/content/rust-foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..b458cfa58 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/rust-foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement.md @@ -0,0 +1,46 @@ ++++ +path = "9999/12/31/rust-foundation-maintainer-fund-announcement" +title = "Rust Foundation Maintainer Fund Announcement" +authors = ["leadership-council", "rfmf-design-committee"] ++++ + +We've established the *Rust Foundation Maintainer Fund* (RFMF)! + +Concretely this means we've come up with a single system for taking in funds from large sponsors as well as individual sponsors, and directing those funds *exclusively* to maintainers. + +We're funding maintainers via the following three means: + +* the existing program management program, +* the proposed [Project Grants program], which provides modest stipends to recognize and support existing contributors, and +* the new (established just for the RFMF) Maintainer in Residence program. + +The Maintainer in Residence program is dedicated to hiring existing long-term maintainers and funding their maintenance work in full. Maintainers' in Residence time is split between priorities guided by the teams they are supporting and priorities of their own choosing within the project. + +Selecting Maintainers in Residence is a collaboration between the Foundation and a "Funding team" appointed by the Leadership Council. This Funding team will weigh the set of applications against the project's needs and priorities. + +The Funding team is additionally charged with ensuring the program's overall success. When sponsors contribute undirected funding, they are investing in the Rust project as a whole — and the project should meet them in good faith. Project teams receiving support from the program are expected to help the Funding team manage sponsor relations, e.g., by meeting with sponsors or providing other reasonable sponsor benefits. + +Thanks to Josh Triplett, Jakub Beránek, lcnr, Lori Lorusso, Niko Matsakis and Tyler Mandry for driving the discussion, soliciting ideas and feedback, and writing the [RFC] + +## How to contribute funds + +RFMF sponsors typically contribute to a general fund and don't direct where the money goes or who gets hired. +Every contribution helps fund the sustained maintenance that keeps Rust healthy. +All sponsors receive public recognition and visibility into how funds are being used through regular public reports. + +See [the RFC section on sponsor benefits](sponsor benefits) for details. + +To contribute funds, go to [https://rustfoundation.org/project-support/](https://rustfoundation.org/project-support/) or [contact the Rust Foundation] directly + + + +## How to apply + +When funding is available, the Funding team and Foundation put out an open call for applications. +Where appropriate, the Funding team may also proactively reach out to potential applicants to encourage them to apply, if they may be a good fit for areas the project needs. +The Funding team and Foundation staff review applications, consider the project's needs, and then the Foundation makes offers to the strongest candidates. + +[RFC]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/pull/3931 +[Project Grants program]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/pull/3919 +[sponsor benefits]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/3931-rfmf-rust-foundation-maintainer-fund.md#sponsor-benefits +[contact the Rust Foundation]: https://rustfoundation.org/contact/