Hypothetically…
Let’s suppose a foundation set aside funds to support a python project (not specifically cpython) but they could only pay a 501c. And let’s suppose that some developers were familiar with the project and available to do the work.
Could those developers coordinate with the PSF to submit a grant to that foundation, do the work and have the PSF compensated for operations overhead?
Academic research institutes work that way and I wonder if a similar arrangement is possible via PSF.
What you’re describing is commonly referred to as “fiscal sponsorship” and the PSF has a page about their activities in that realm: Fiscal Sponsorees | Python Software Foundation
You’ll also note, however, that it explicitly states, “At this time, the Python Software Foundation is not accepting new fiscal sponsoree requests.”
There are other charities that specialize in this, however. If you specifically need it to be a USA 501(c)(3) then you may want to look into association with Software Freedom Conservancy (sfconservancy.org) or Software in the Public Interest (spi-inc.org).
Fair warning though, turn around time for the process of becoming officially associated with these sorts of charities is on the order of months, it’s not something where you go fill out a web form and then start accepting donations a few days later.
Hi, Deb here for PSF staff. Fiscal sponsorship is for ongoing work. We have had conversations about applying for grants with other entities for shorter term projects and might be up for that depending on the project. Broadly speaking, it would have to be 1) something that the community wants and 2) compatible with our non-profit mission and 3) with a partner that seems like a good fit for the PSF.
Oooh, those are good tips, thank you @fungi . I’ll start with SPI because their Secretary is a legend in the Open Source space.