Contributing to The Apache Software Foundation

• Why should I contribute?
• Is there a cost to participate?
• Become involved in your favorite project!
• Create a new project!
• If I donate financially, where would my donations go?
• The ASF is a non-profit organization
• I'd like to talk to someone about supporting the ASF!
• Donate via PayPal
• Donate via check
• Buy ASF-sponsored shirts at J!NX
• Buy ASF-sponsored shirts at kernel concepts
• Buy ASF-sponsored items at The Rodent's Cache
• Donate your old car via Car Program LLC

As a volunteer-based organization, the Apache Software Foundation stands most in need of dedicated volunteers who can work on software, documentation, or administrative issues within each of the ASF projects. The ASF provides the infrastructure for the projects - the mailing lists, code repositories, bug tracking systems, etc. While all of the administrative effort is currently through unpaid volunteers, we need financial assistance to purchase bandwidth and keep our servers running.

Of course not! The Apache Software Foundation is committed to providing free access to all interested participants. All of our code is distributed under an Apache Software License, an OSI-approved license. The project mailing lists are all open to the public and contributors are usually welcomed with open arms.

So, there is no cost required to contribute code to the projects. However, there is usually a substantial time committment that is required in order to contribute to a project. For some, time is cheaper than money. For others, money is cheaper than time (lucky you). We realize that, and want to promote contributions from everyone - no matter the form.

The first way you can help the foundation is to contribute your time to your favorite project. There is always a need for participants in each project. We also value reporting of problems to our tracking systems a valuable contribution. Each project will have more information about how to best contribute on their own websites.

The Apache Software Foundation is also looking for new or existing collaborative software development projects that are in need of a home. This includes both projects related and unrelated to the existing ASF projects. Please contact the Apache Incubator for more details about starting new projects in the ASF.

If you'd like to contribute financially to the foundation, we would greatly appreciate it. Currently, the bulk of our financial obligations are going towards providing our technical infrastructure - the servers and bandwidth that we require. The foundation also provides legal support for our projects, therefore, it is often required to obtain qualified legal counsel about issues that arise.

If you have a specific target or project that you wish to directly support, please contact us and we will do our best to satisfy your wishes.

If you wish to provide equipment for use by the Foundation, please contact us before attempting to send it "here" directly -- the nature of our virtual enterprise is such that the equipment and services used to support our projects are located all over the world.

The Apache Software Foundation is a private operating foundation that is registered as a non-profit, charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. This means that, for individuals within the U.S., donations to the ASF should be tax-deductible. We are not accountants, so this cannot be trusted as financial advice of any kind, but hopefully this description will be useful to those who advise you in these matters. You may view our ruling letter from the IRS acknowledging our 501(c)3 status.

You may also review the latest financial filings and non-profit exemption application of The Apache Software Foundation in our public records section. You may also find other helpful information through GuideStar (requires free registration for full access).

More information about non-profits and related issues can be found at the Internet Nonprofit Center.

If you would like more information about supporting the ASF, please contact fundraising at apache dot org for more information.

All information will be kept in strictest confidence.

Individuals and companies can donate funds to support the ASF and its projects. You can contribute via PayPal by clicking on the PayPal icon:

You can also donate by sending a check or money order, payable to "The Apache Software Foundation", (donations only, please) at

Please include the name under which you wish the donation to be credited, either your own or the third-party if it is a gift on behalf of someone else, and an e-mail address to which we can acknowledge receipt. This information will not be used for any other purpose. We will send a physical receipt by normal mail for any donations of US$250 or more, provided you include a return address.

You may also support the ASF indirectly by purchasing officially licensed ASF apparel from J!NX. The guys at J!NX donate a large percentage of the profit of all ASF items sold to the cause. Click on the JINX.com banner below to pick-up some nifty ASF swag

Show your support for the ASF by purchasing officially licensed ASF T-shirts from kernel concepts, Germany. 1 Euro of each T-shirt sold is donated to the ASF. Click on the kernel concepts logo below and get your Powered by Apache T-shirt.

Donate your used car, truck, boat or RV to the Apache Software Foundation and we'll arrange to have it picked up free of charge. We accept most vehicles that are located in the United States, even if they don't run. Some restrictions may apply on older vehicles, though. It's easy and convenient, and you may be eligible for a tax deduction as well!

Why donate my vehicle? It's much easier to donate your used vehicle than it is to sell it yourself. And the tax savings might even be more than what you would receive from a trade in. You'll be spared the ordeal of selling your vehicle.

You can follow the directions and fill out our online ASF Car Donation Form. The donation is handled through Car Program LLC. You may find their frequently asked questions helpful.