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Python Software Foundation

EIN 04-3594598 · Beaverton, OR

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
14
Volunteers
1,200
Highest pay
$238,657, security developer-in-residence

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $2.5 million spent. PyCon US is the largest annual gathering for the community that uses and develops the open-source Python programming language. PyCon US 2024 was offered in a hybrid format for the third time with 2,551 in-person attendees in Pittsburgh, PA and 440 online attendees. A record 1,752 Pythonistas were first-time attendees! The conference included high-quality talks, tutorials, keynotes, and meeting spaces for attendees to learn about our sponsors, discover the job market, explore Python projects and meet fellow Python community members. 198 speakers offered 167 sessions for attendees of all skill levels including tutorials, keynotes, Charlas tracks, and lightning talks. Please see our blog post for more information about PyCon US 2024: https://pycon.blogspot.com/2024/08/.
  2. $665,592 spent. The PSF awarded $637K in grants to projects and events related to the development of Python, Python-related technology, educational programs, and resources. Events include worldwide conferences, PyLadies and Django Girls workshops, education, and training programs related to the establishment and promotion of the free and open source programming language Python. 149 groups or projects in 61 countries received grants from the PSF during 2024. Several worldwide Python Meetups reactivated during the year, bringing the Python Meetup network up to 117 groups covering 37 countries and over 260,000 members. The PSF also awarded $297K in travel grants at PyCon US 2024 (with $72K funded by PyLadies), PyCascades 2024, PyOhio 2024, PyLadiesCon 2024 Equipment Grants.
  3. $412,921 spent. The PSF provides fiscal sponsorship for Python-focused user groups, events, 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. The PSF continued fiscally sponsoring 20 groups including: Bandit, BAPYA (Bay Area Python Groups), Boston Python, ChiPy, Denver Python User Group, Jazzband, North Bay Python, Pallets (Flask), PyOhio, PhillyPUG, PuPPy, PyBeach, PyCascades, PyHawaii, PyLadies PyMNtos, PyPA, PyRVA, San Diego Python, and Twisted.
  4. $1.3 million spent. 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. These program initiatives also include funds for trademark and copyright investments. The PSF received several major grants focused on continuing security work during 2024. Amazon Web Services, Inc. provided a third grant for PyPI Security efforts and Linux Foundation renewed the OpenSSF Alpha-Omega Grant, which supports the Security Developer-in-Residence. The PSF received a second year of funding from Meta for the CPython Developer-in-Residence, who focused on CPython improvements and bug tracking and fixing plus many other important tasks. Bloomberg granted funds for a new Deputy CPython Developer-in-Residence and the CPython Steering Council funded a Supporting CPython Developer-in-Residence. The CPython Steering Council also funded the annual CPython Core Developer sprint in Bellevue, Washington in Fall 2024.
  5. $18,318 spent. 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.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.