Best Funding Options for Solo Open Source Maintainers
A practical guide to low-friction funding options for individual open source maintainers, including GitHub Sponsors, Ko-fi, Liberapay, Open Collective, grants, and Tidelift.
Crowdfunding for Open Source Projects
When crowdfunding works for open source projects, which funding models to use, and how to avoid common campaign mistakes.
Getting Paid for Open Source Work
A practical guide for maintainers and contributors who want to get paid for open source work through sponsorships, bounties, grants, consulting, support, or education.
GitHub Sponsors vs Open Collective: Which Is Right for Your Project?
A practical comparison of GitHub Sponsors and Open Collective for open source maintainers choosing between direct sponsorship and transparent project funding.
How Companies Can Fund Open Source Sustainably
A practical guide for companies that want to fund the open source projects they depend on through sponsorships, collectives, maintainer programs, bounties, grants, and procurement.
How Open Source Maintainers Make Money
How open source maintainers earn income through sponsorships, grants, services, enterprise programs, education, support, and productized offers.
How to Fund Your Open Source Project in 2026
A step-by-step guide to choosing the right open source funding model in 2026, from sponsorships and grants to bounties, support, infrastructure credits, and revenue.
How to Set Up FUNDING.yml for Your GitHub Repository
How to add a FUNDING.yml file to a GitHub repository so visitors see a Sponsor button with GitHub Sponsors, Open Collective, Ko-fi, Tidelift, Polar, Buy Me a Coffee, or custom funding links.
How to Set Up GitHub Sponsors
A practical setup guide for GitHub Sponsors: eligibility, profile setup, tiers, payout setup, repository Sponsor buttons, and README funding copy.
How to Use Open Collective for an Open Source Project
How open source projects can use Open Collective for transparent budgets, fiscal hosting, sponsorships, expenses, grants, and contributor payments.
Open Source Bounty Platforms: Where to Fund and Claim OSS Work
A practical guide to open source bounty platforms, when bounties work, when to avoid them, and how to scope paid issues without creating maintainer noise.
Open Source Grants You Can Apply for in 2026
A source-checked guide to open source grant programs in 2026, including eligibility, fit, current status, and application tips for maintainers.
Open Source Sustainability: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to open source sustainability, including funding, maintainer workload, governance, infrastructure costs, project support, and long-term operating models.
Patreon Alternatives for Developers and Open Source Maintainers
The best Patreon alternatives for developers and open source maintainers, including GitHub Sponsors, Open Collective, Ko-fi, Liberapay, and Buy Me a Coffee.
Tidelift vs GitHub Sponsors: Which Funding Model Fits Better?
A practical comparison of Tidelift and GitHub Sponsors for maintainers choosing between community sponsorships and enterprise-backed package maintenance revenue.