
Open source runs the world, but who runs open source? Open source maintainers are behind the software we use everyday, but they don't always have the community or support they need. That's why we're celebrating open source maintainers during the month of May.


Welcome to Maintainer Month!

We have a full month of activities


As the impacts of climate change mount, it is essential that we all work together to decarbonize energy and transportation systems, which are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. A collaborative approach involving all stakeholders is necessary to develop the technologies needed to speed the transition to renewable energy sources in a fair and inclusive manner.

This event will gather lawmakers, policymakers, electrical utility companies, auto makers, technology vendors, researchers, and end users of energy to discuss the challenges and opportunities for an open source model of building both technology and standards to drive the energy transition, with particular focus on how policy and regulation can support this collaborative approach and ensure communities are diverse and inclusive.


Open Sustainability Policy Summit


Join GitHub for Open Source Friday: a weekly celebration of open source projects, brought to you by the folks building them. On May 3rd, maintainer [Mike McQuaid](https://mikemcquaid.com/) will be talking about with Kedasha Kerr and Andrea Griffiths about his work on [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/), "The Missing Package Manager for macOS (or Linux)" 


Homebrew Maintainer Mike McQuaid

Open Source Friday stream: Homebrew


On the [Sustain podcast](https://podcast.sustainoss.org/), [Velda Kiara](https://veldakiara.notion.site/Velda-Kiara-46aec24028fd4e8dbdba003097c18b5b) explores open source advantages, hurdles, engagement with Black Python Devs, and her enriching journey participating in programs like Djangonaut Space.


Sustain Podcast: Velda Kiara on her Open Source Journey


DrupalCon is coming back to the Oregon Convention Center in lovely Portland, Oregon! Join us for [an amazing lineup of talks, workshops, and summits](https://events.drupal.org/portland2024), May 6th-9th.


DrupalCon Portland 2024


Join GitHub and the Open Technology Fund (OTF) for a conversation on open source sustainability, and how the OTF’s new FOSS Sustainability Fund opens up new avenues for open source funding.

Tune in for a fireside chat with Felix Reda, GitHub’s Director of Developer Policy and former member of the European Parliament, Laura Cunningham, President of OTF and former Senior Advisor for Internet Freedom in the U.S. State Department, and Susan Kennedy, Program Manager at OTF. Their discussion will include policy, internet freedoms, private versus public funding, the implications of the xz Utils vulnerability, FOSS maintainer health and burnout, and more.

With the applications for the inaugural fund open through May 17th, this is a unique chance to learn more about the application process, what the grants look like, and how funding free and open source software is crucial for the security, privacy, and sustainability of online access.



Open Source Funding with Open Technology Fund & GitHub


In this episode of Maintainable, Robby Russell dives deep into the essence of software maintainability with Agile Coach and author Staffan Nöteberg. As the episode unfolds, listeners are invited to reflect on their own practices and consider how embracing a monotasking approach could revolutionize their work and the software they develop.


Staffan Nöteberg On the Power of Monotasking in Software Development

Maintainable Software Podcast: Staffan Nöteberg On the Power of Monotasking in Software Development


On the [Sustain podcast](https://podcast.sustainoss.org/), hosts Richard Littauer and Eriol Fox chat with Susan Kennedy, a program manager at the Open Technology Fund (OTF), to explore the intricacies of sustaining open source technologies. OTF, a nonprofit organization, plays a vital role in promoting internet freedom in oppressive regimes by supporting the development of anti-censorship and anti-surveillance technologies. Funded by the U.S. Congress but operating independently, OTF aids in navigating the challenges attached to open source project sustainability and maintenance. Susan outlines OTF's fund mechanism, highlighting its commitment to supporting open source projects that are pivotal for internet freedom. Also, the episode shines a light on the newly initiated FOSS Sustainability Fund by OTF, designed to specifically address the financial and logistical hurdles facing open source technologies today.


Learn more about the Open Technology Fund

Sustain Podcast: Susan Kennedy on the Open Technology Fund


Join GitHub for Open Source Friday: a weekly celebration of open source projects, brought to you by the folks building them. 

On May 10th, Kedasha Kerr and Andrea Griffiths will be talking with the maintainers of [Bloom](https://github.com/chaynHQ/bloom-frontend). Bloom is a free, web-based, remote trauma support service from Chayn, a global charity supporting survivors of abuse across borders.


Trauma Support Software from Chayn

Open Source Friday stream: Bloom


Opportunity to see the best of global research and reporting in open source software.

OpenUK Research and Reporting Show and Tell


Join GitHub for Open Source Friday: a weekly celebration of open source projects, brought to you by the folks building them. 

Join Demetris Cheatham, Chief of Staff to GitHub's CEO, as she explores how AI is transforming open source across learning 📚, productivity 🚀, and security 🛡️. Don't miss this fascinating talk on the future of AI and open source! 


Demetris Cheatham on Open Source AI

Open Source Friday stream: Expanding Open Source in the Age of AI


The Maintainers Summit at PyCon US is where the Python community comes together to discuss and foster best practices on how to develop sustainable projects and nurture thriving communities. Join us to share your thoughts and ideas and learn from your peers!


Python Maintainer Summit


On the [Sustain podcast](https://podcast.sustainoss.org/), host Richard Littauer engages in a conversation with Dr. Carlotta Berry, a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM. Carlotta shares her journey from an undergraduate student rarely seeing diversity in her field to becoming an engineering professor determined to change that narrative. She discusses her work at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. She also dives into her motivations behind founding two nonprofits, Black in Engineering and Black in Robotics. Additionally, Carlotta touches upon her engagement with open source communities, particularly in robotics, to further democratize STEM education. The discussion also covers her unique approaches to connecting with younger audiences through hip hop slam poetry on TikTok and the significance of representation in every aspect of STEM, from academia to community initiatives.


Dr. Carlotta A. Berry on Diversity in STEM

Sustain Podcast: Dr. Carlotta A. Berry on Diversity in STEM


Join us on Wednesday 22nd May for the FIRST OpenUK Online Meetup, our online-only event for OpenUK community members!

This will be a lunch-time webinar, where you'll get to hear from maintainers about their highs and lows about working in the open, as part of Maintainer Month.


OpenUK Meetup on open source maintenance

OpenUK Online #1: Maintainers, Maintainers, Maintainers!


Join GitHub for Open Source Friday: a weekly celebration of open source projects, brought to you by the folks building them. 

On May 24th, indie software developer Scott Lahteine will join us to discuss [@MarlinFirmware](github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin), a project born out of the RepRap Project 12 years ago. Targeting Arduino micro-controllers, Marlin Firmware has evolved thanks to contributions from hundreds of developers and 3D printer enthusiasts worldwide. Join us to learn about the project's history, collaborative development, and impact on the 3D printing community!  [Sign up on Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/github/) for a reminder, and tune in on [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/github).


Marlin with @thinkyhead

Open Source Friday stream: Marlin


In 2021 the GitHub All In project embarked on a Maintainers Listening Tour to study the barriers maintainers faced when building more inclusive communities. The Maintainers Listening Tour was part of a larger All In effort that included providing open source education to marginalized students and collaborating with the Linux Foundation on a DEI in Open Source Research Study. Together, these formed the pillars of the All In Program: Access, Equity, Maintainers, and Data, and the program continues to flourish.

One of the FY2025 goals for the All In Program is to expand the Maintainers pillar through resources, curriculum, and support for maintainers. As such, we are revisiting this original study to help inform future program opportunities. We would love to include your voice in our current research.

Join one of our focus groups during Maintainers Month by registering here or reaching out to participate in another way here.
https://allinopensource.org/maintainers/maintainers-listening-tour/


GitHub All In: Maintainers Listening Tour

Maintainers Listening Tour: DE&I


GitHub Star @jesstemporal hosts Brazilian open-source maintainers May 31, join [GitHub Brazil’s group](https://www.meetup.com/gittogether-brasil/) to learn more. 


Brazilian open source maintainer stream

GitTogether Brasil


Join GitHub for Open Source Friday: a weekly celebration of open source projects, brought to you by the folks building them. 
May 31st we’ll host an exciting live event with GitHub's Andy Feller! Andy will be showcasing the power of Copilot in the command line interface (CLI) and exploring the capabilities of GitHub CLI. 💻
[Sign up on Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/github/) for a reminder, and tune in on [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/github).


GitHub Copilot in the CLI

Open Source Friday stream: GitHub Copilot in the CLI


Upstream is a one-day celebration of open source, the developers who use it, and the maintainers who make it. Hosted by Tidelift.


Upstream


We would love to have you join us at The Merge, a developer experience conference taking place in Berlin on June 13th and 14th, to show off your project and meet your community. Accepted projects will get a free ticket to attend the conference. If you love open source and just want to attend instead - follow this link for a special priced ticket.

Open Source Fair at The Merge


We would love to have you join us at The Merge, a developer experience conference taking place in Berlin on June 13th and 14th, to show off your project and meet your community. Accepted projects will get a free ticket to attend the conference. If you love open source and just want to attend instead - follow this link for a special priced ticket.


Showcase your open source projects at the Open Source Spotlight in Berlin this July. Selected participants will get free tickets for the event and a space to showcase your project to 15,000+ developers and tech leaders from across the world.

Open Source Spotlight at WeAreDevelopers World Congress

Open Source Spotlight

Upcoming events 2024


Maintainer Month is an open source project — anyone can jump in and contribute! Whether you're a maintainer, an organization, or a fan or open source, you're invited to participate! Here are a few ways you can jump in:


Illustration by Ariel Davis of a person thanking an open source maintainer on social media

Posting on social media to thank the maintainers of their favorite open source projects

Illustration by Ariel Davis of a person recording a podcast episode about open source maintainers

Recording special podcast episodes

Illustration by Ariel Davis of people at an open working group meeting for open source maintainers

Organizing special-edition open working group meetings

Illustration by Ariel Davis of people hosting a mini-event for open source maintainers

Hosting mini-events

Illustration by Ariel Davis of people at a tool-specific maintainer summit for open source projects

Convening tool-specific maintainer summits

Illustration by Ariel Davis of a person streaming on Twitch about open source maintainers

Streaming live on Twitch

Illustration by Ariel Davis of a donation being made to support open source

Pledging to donate to support Open Source

How do I get involved?

Calling maintainers!

Interested in Partnering?

What’s going on during Maintainer Month?

A month for open source maintainers to gather, share, and be celebrated.


#### Share your story

Let others know what it’s like to be a maintainer with the hashtag #MaintainerMonth & [add it to our library](https://github.com/github/maintainermonth/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&template=add-to-library.yaml&title=TITLE)! Interested in sharing your story on a podcast or post with one of our partners? [Sign-up here](https://forms.gle/d66jrRJYCW4eD4KM7) and we'll introduce you to a partner if there's a good fit. 

#### Connect with other maintainers

Take a look at the [Maintainer Month activities on the calendar](/schedule) and attend an event where you can meet other maintainers. We’re always adding more activities to the calendar, check back often!

#### Join the Maintainer Community

[Request an invitation to the Maintainer Community](https://maintainers.github.com), a private space for maintainers to connect with peers, preview GitHub features, and learn from each other.


Latest News

Are you looking for ways to support open source maintainers? Maintainer Month is the perfect opportunity!

Gearing up for Maintainer Month!

We're collecting resources, guides, exercises, experiments, insights, wisdom and best practices on how to tackle the governance challenges that open source projects face.

Learn about open source governance!


#### Highlight maintainers

Feature open source maintainers on your podcast / stream / social media with #MaintainerMonth during the month of May. If you would like us share potential maintainers you can feature, [let us know](https://forms.gle/ZGH4dpdqD9Jyut2P8). [Add your event to our calendar](https://github.com/github/maintainermonth/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&template=add-to-calendar.yml&title=EVENT_NAME) or [share stories in the library](https://github.com/github/maintainermonth/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&template=add-to-library.yaml&title=TITLE)!

#### Host events to convene maintainers

Host an event that brings maintainers together! Give them space to connect and learn from each other. [Submit an issue to get your event listed on our website](https://github.com/github/maintainermonth/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&template=add-to-calendar.yml&title=EVENT_NAME).

#### Pay maintainers

Launch a FOSS Fund or sponsorship program to pay the maintainers of the software you depend on. We’d love to help, [please reach out](mailto:devrel@github.com).

A month for open source maintainers to gather, share, and be celebrated.

Welcome to Maintainer Month!

Theme For Maintainers

Theme For Companies

Latest News

Learn about open source governance!

How do I get involved?

Calling maintainers!

Share your story

Connect with other maintainers

Join the Maintainer Community

Interested in Partnering?

Highlight maintainers

Host events to convene maintainers

Pay maintainers

Upcoming events 2024

We have a full month of activities

Maintainer Month 2024 Advisory Council