Modern electronic devices typically derive their functionality because of embedded software, often referred to as firmware. Firmware suffers from all the normal weaknesses of software, but has the additional handicap that the interface to the device is often very limited — or even completely inaccessible to users. For most people it is hard to appreciate how critical the role of firmware is for our safety, and how dangerous it is that we cannot exercise the same scrutiny towards firmware as we can with regular software. Not to mention that when a vendor stops supporting a device and there is only proprietary firmware, users have nowhere to turn.
To us it is clear that open firmware is the way forward. It has the potential to make the technology we depend on as society last longer (which prevents e-waste), be more responsive and robust, and because it is open allows everyone to innovate or just keep on using their existing equipment — regardless of whether a vendor still feels like supporting it or not. We believe users themselves should always be in full control of whatever technology they depend on, on every layer of technology. The Open Firmware Fund makes a concrete contribution, by supporting the concrete development of open source firmware.
The Open Firmware Fund is a fund managed by the Technology Commons Trust in partnership with the NLnet Foundation, a recognised philantropic organisation. The Open Firmware Fund is designed to promote open innovation in service of the public interest. This is achieved by way of microgrants for independent developers of free and open source hardware and software. That could be you!
Donations are welcome at the following addresses:
Bitcoin: 1GUm6FF7Fon6Umrt5CSi3AxxYg8dM2NKvV
Monero: 89eBqUwoCpnPoUKD367kJm3Gsw639EUSdG3xwUyQmDroKHWHPyhYmJ63uP41ArHfPsBihNFTYjASpRUGaeSyp3JS9BmtjpQ
PKT: pkt1qyv4gmnvvg2vfyj89e63thzj68jf2y9k7ssee7v
If you have other cryptocurrencies you want to donate, get in touch.
Not your topic? Take a look at the other funds operated by Technology Commons Trust. If you want to dedicate a significant amount of cryptocurrency to the public benefit, we are eager to help you make the most of it together with our partners. We will handle the trust part, while a charitable partner can help establish a thematic fund, a regional fund, or a named fund - whatever is the most suitable. Please contact us to discuss what the options are.
This fund is operated by NLnet Foundation. NLnet has a rich history going back to the earliest days of the internet in Europe, and has over four decades of expertise in effectively supporting projects with real-world impact. A look at the project portfolio is the best way to get convinced that your money is in safe hands..
No cryptocurrency, but still want to donate? You can donate directly to NLnet from the comfort of your regular bank account!
Contact us
If you have any questions or remarks about our work or this website, you can send us email through contact [@thisdomain].
Please note that we do not handle individual grant requests for your project, as explained elsewhere we only work through intermediaries which are established public benefit organisations. If you are seeking a grant, we would kindly like to refer you to the User Operated Internet Fund.
If you would like to send us physical mail, our postal address is:
Stichting Technology Commons Trust