Django Software Foundation

The DSF was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the United States in 2008, following the model of the Apache Software Foundation. Its creation formalized the governance of Django, which had previously been managed informally by its creators, Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison. The foundation is governed by a board of directors, typically composed of five to nine members, who are elected by the membership for two-year terms. The board oversees the framework's trademark, manages funds, and appoints committees for specific tasks, such as the DjangoCon organizing committee and the security response team. The DSF also employs a part-time Django Fellow, funded by donations, who triages tickets and coordinates releases.

The DSF's primary activities include organizing DjangoCon US and supporting regional DjangoCon events worldwide, such as DjangoCon Europe and DjangoCon Africa. It provides travel grants to attendees from underrepresented groups and developing countries, promoting diversity in the community. The foundation also administers the Django Fellowship program, which ensures that bug reports and pull requests are reviewed in a timely manner. Additionally, the DSF offers grants to projects that benefit the Django ecosystem, such as improvements to third-party packages, documentation, and tooling. These grants are funded by donations from individuals and corporate sponsors, including companies like Instagram, Mozilla, and the Washington Post.

Membership in the DSF is open to individuals who have contributed to Django or its community, with a simple application process. Individual members elect the board and can vote on key decisions, while corporate members contribute financially and receive recognition on the DSF website. Funding comes primarily from membership fees, donations, and conference revenue. The DSF also runs an annual fundraising campaign, often matching donations during the holiday season. Despite its modest budget, the DSF has maintained Django's development for over a decade, relying on volunteer efforts and the dedication of its members.

Beyond its well-known activities, the DSF has a few lesser-known facets. For instance, it owns the Django trademark and enforces its usage to prevent misuse, such as unauthorized commercial products. The foundation also maintains a code of conduct for all official events and online spaces, which has been adopted by many community groups. In 2015, the DSF introduced a 'Django Girls' partnership, supporting workshops that teach women to code. Additionally, the DSF has a 'small grants' program that funds micro-projects, like improving accessibility in Django's documentation. The foundation's financial records are publicly available, reflecting its commitment to transparency.

Django Fellowship

A paid position funded by the DSF to manage bug triage and release coordination.

DjangoCon

A series of conferences organized by the DSF and local communities to discuss Django-related topics.

Corporate membership

A tier of DSF membership for organizations that pay annual fees to support the foundation.