The GNOME Foundation: Update from the Board: 2024-10 [Financial Crisis, Board Disarray]
We want to provide you with an important update on recent developments at the GNOME Foundation.
What Has Happened
The GNOME Foundation Board of Directors has approved a budget for the coming financial year (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025). In the process, we’ve had to make some tough decisions to ensure the Foundation’s long-term financial sustainability.
What Is Impacted
Staff Changes
Regrettably, we have had to reduce our staff. Caroline Henriksen (Creative Director) and Melissa Wu (Director of Community Development) are no longer members of the GNOME Foundation staff team. We sincerely thank Caroline and Melissa for their significant contributions over the past years and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Operational Adjustments
FOSS Force:
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Gnome Foundation's Financial Woes Worsen - FOSS Force
It’s beginning to appear as if Gnome needs to find a sugar daddy . I’ve been reporting here for a while now that Gnome’s in some deep financial doo-doo, which seems to be getting deeper.
On Monday the Gnome Foundation’s board posted a notice on its website announcing that due to cuts in the recently approved budget for the financial year that started on October 1, it had made “some tough decisions to ensure the foundation’s long-term financial sustainability.”
This started with some notable layoffs. Out the door are Caroline Henriksen, who’s been Gnome’s creative director for nearly five years, and director of community development Melissa Wu, who came on board at about the same time as Henricksen. The board said that the layoffs will necessitate some operational adjustments in areas such as event organization and representation, marketing initiatives, fundraising efforts, and graphic design — meaning that some of the laid off worker’s tasks will be handed off to others.
Lunduke:
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GNOME Foundation Broke, Lays Off 33% of Staff
Just as The Lunduke Journal said was going to happen after the GNOME Shaman disaster.
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Tough Times Ahead for the GNOME Foundation
In an update to the GNOME community, the GNOME Foundation Board of Directors has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year (October 2024 – September 2025). However, this budget includes some tough decisions aimed at maintaining the foundation’s long-term financial health.
The new one prioritizes the Foundation’s financial stability, resulting in a reduction of staff members. In light of this, Caroline Henriksen, the Creative Director, and Melissa Wu, the Director of Community Development, are no longer with the Foundation.
As a result, key responsibilities will be redistributed among the remaining staff and the Board. The Foundation also calls on community members to step up and help with event organization, marketing, fundraising, and graphic design. Additionally, budget constraints mean travel budgets will be cut unless additional funds are raised.
Linux Magazine:
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The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat » Linux Magazine
The Gnome Foundation has announced some changes are underway due to some serious financial issues. Their current budget was approved on October 1, and they have been forced to make some very tough decisions to ensure long-term sustainability.
Those decisions include layoffs, most notably Caroline Henrikson, Creative Director, and, Melissa Wu, Director of Community Development. The foundation also indicated that, unless more funds are secured, they will have to make serious changes in how they market, fundraise, and even attend events.