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Net Foundation

EIN 47-2119192 · Redmond, WA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE .NET FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(6) NON PROFIT ORG, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT AN INNOVATIVE, COMMERCIALLY FRIENDLY, OPEN-SOURCE ECOSYSTEM AROUND THE .NET PLATFORM.

Income
$60,000
Spending
$208,830

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (3)
  1. PROJECT GUIDANCE AND MENTORING: NEW .NET PROJECTS JOINING THE FOUNDATION GET MENTORSHIP TO HELP WITH EXPERTISE IN RUNNING AN OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY AND ACCESS TO OTHER DEVELOPERS CURRENTLY LOOKING AFTER .NET OPEN SOURCE PROJECTS. WE WORK WITH PROJECT LEADS TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE PROJECT GROWS INTO A VIBRANT AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY AND HELP SHARE KNOWLEDGE ON BEST PRACTICES IN RUNNING A FRIENDLY, COLLABORATIVE AND INNOVATIVE OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY.
  2. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT:TECHNICAL SUPPORT: WE PROVIDE A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OUR PROJECTS INCLUDING AUTHENTICODE CODE-SIGNING OF BINARIES AND INSTALLERS, BINARY DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT, FORUMS, HOSTING, SHARED SECRET STORAGE, ONLINE AND PHONE CONFERENCING AS WELL AS DOCUMENT COLLABORATION FACILITIES AND ACCESS TO SOFTWARE.MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS: THE .NET FOUNDATION WORKS WITH MICROSOFT AND THE BROADER INDUSTRY TO INCREASE THE EXPOSURE OF OPEN SOURCE PROJECTS IN THE .NET COMMUNITY AND THE .NET FOUNDATION. THE .NET FOUNDATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES TO PROJECTS AND LOOKS TO PROMOTE THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR COMMUNITIES.FINANCIAL SUPPORT: THE .NET FOUNDATION IS NOT A GRANT FUNDING BODY, BUT THE .NET FOUNDATION CAN HELP PROJECTS ACCEPT, INVOICE AND PROCESS DONATIONS IN-KIND OR EARMARKED DONATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS. AS A US TAX-EXEMPT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION (501(C)(6), THERE ARE SOME LIMITS ON WHAT PROJECTS CAN DO WITH THOSE ASSETS, BUT THE FOUNDATION WILL WORK WITH THE PROJECT TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE SPENT APPROPRIATELY. WHEN RUNNING EVENTS SUCH AS MEET-UPS AND CONFERENCES, THE FOUNDATION CAN ALSO WORK WITH PROJECTS TO CREATE TICKET SELLING ACCOUNTS, ARRANGE CONTRACTS WITH VENUES ETC. DONATIONS TYPICALLY COVER ACTIVITIES INCLUDING HOSTING EXPENSES, TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ATTEND CONFERENCES/MEET-UPS, PROMOTIONAL ITEMS FOR THE PROJECT, SPONSORING OR ORGANIZING A CONFERENCE/MEET-UP.
  3. IP AND LEGAL: WE HELP PROJECTS ORGANIZE AND MANAGE THEIR IP ASSIGNMENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRACKING A COMMON, SIMPLE, CONTRIBUTION LICENSE AGREEMENT ACROSS ALL .NET FOUNDATION PROJECTS. WE CAN HELP IN ENSURING PEOPLE RESPECT THE OPEN SOURCE LICENSES AND TRADEMARKS OF PROJECTS ASSIGNED TO THE .NET FOUNDATION AND WE CAN PROVIDE ACCESS TO ADVICE ON LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING PROJECTS IN THE .NET FOUNDATION.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ab Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 27-5278038. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.