It’s Time to Financially Support the WordPress Ecosystem: One Simple Idea
I am presenting a case for the WordPress Project to be independently financed on the 29th of August 2024.
It will be at the WordPress London Meetup – here is just one idea to help finance this fantastic project that nearly 500 million websites are built on.
WordPress is more than just a content management system; it’s the lifeblood of millions of websites across the globe. From personal blogs to corporate portals, WordPress powers an astonishing 43% of the internet. Such a massive ecosystem needs not just moral support but financial backing to sustain its growth, development, and innovation. Here’s a simple yet impactful idea: if you’re a freelancer, web developer, or designer, consider donating $20 to the WordPress Foundation for every site you build.
Why Financial Independence Matters for the WordPress Foundation
The WordPress Foundation currently manages an annual budget of around $4 million, which sounds impressive until you realize the scale of the operations it supports. This budget has to cover everything from software development and security improvements to maintaining community events like WordCamps and meetups. These events depend on sponsorships, booths, and contributions from outside sources and Automattic. Given the importance of these efforts, wouldn’t it be fantastic to see the Foundation operate with more financial freedom?
The Potential Impact
Consider this: every day, approximately 10,000 WordPress sites are developed. If just 2,000 of these projects contributed a mere $20 each to the WordPress Foundation, we’d be looking at an additional revenue of over $14 million annually. This would more than triple the current budget, bringing phenomenal potential to expand capabilities and reach.
How This Could Revolutionize the WordPress Community
- Enhanced Security: With more funds, the WordPress Foundation can invest heavily in security protocols, minimizing vulnerabilities and making the internet safer for everyone.
- Innovation Boost: Financial freedom would permit the hiring of more full-time developers, encouraging rapid advancements in features, functionality, and user experience.
- Global Reach: More resources mean more community events, contributing to better training, broader participation, and inclusivity.
- Infrastructure Improvement: Enhanced financial resources could also go towards improving the core infrastructure that supports the WordPress ecosystem, ensuring faster load times and better performance.
- Paid Contributors from within
Even if it’s only a sandwich to say thanks for that great idea and contribution you made.
A Small Contribution, A Massive Difference
A $20 contribution may seem negligible compared to the substantial revenue many WordPress developers earn per project. However, the collective power of small donations can lead to significant change. Imagine being part of a global movement where your small act contributes to the overall health and success of a platform that fundamentally changes how we share information online.
How to Get Started
Integrating this initiative into your workflow is simple. Add a $20 donation line item to your client invoices labeled “WordPress Foundation Support Fee.” Explain the importance of supporting the foundation to your clients, and you’ll likely find most are more than willing to contribute.
Lead by Example
If you’re unsure, start with a trial for your next few projects to see how it feels both professionally and personally to give back to such a vital platform. This culture of giving can quickly become the norm, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.
Together, we can ensure the longevity and prosperity of the WordPress ecosystem. A small gesture from thousands can create waves of positive change, securing a bright future for one of the most significant digital platforms of our time. Let’s commit to supporting the WordPress Foundation and making financial independence a reality.
