PSF Withdraws $1.5 Million Proposal to U.S. Government Funding Program
The PSF Withdraws $1.5 Million NSF Grant Proposal
The Python Software Foundation (PSF) was recently recommended for funding by the U.S. government’s National Science Foundation (NSF) for a grant worth $1.5 million.
This grant aimed to improve the security of the Python software ecosystem and followed an application process led by Seth Larson and Loren Crary.
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Why This Funding Was Significant
- Annual PSF budget: Less than $6 million
- This grant represented a substantial boost to the organization’s resources.
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Why the PSF Turned It Down
After the NSF’s initial recommendation, new contract language was added:
> "does not, and will not during the term of this financial assistance award, operate any programs that advance or promote DEI, or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws."
Key Issues Identified:
- Broad Scope: The clause extended beyond grant-funded security projects to all PSF activities.
- Mission Conflict:
- The PSF’s mission statement is to:
- > Promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language, and to support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international community of Python programmers.
- The clause directly conflicted with this mission.
- Financial Risk:
- Potential clawbacks could put the PSF at severe financial risk.
- Spending the funds before such a reversal could trigger an existential crisis.
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The Decision
- Outcome: The PSF withdrew its application and rejected the funding.
- Board Vote: Unanimous denial, despite the difficulty of walking away from substantial funding.
- Reasoning: Upholding core values and protecting the organization’s long-term sustainability took precedence over short-term financial gain.
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Broader Lessons for Nonprofits & Creators
This incident highlights the tension between securing funds and preserving mission integrity.
For tech communities and digital creators, finding alternative sustainable revenue streams is vital.
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Exploring Alternatives: AiToEarn for Creators
Platforms like AiToEarn offer creators opportunities to:
- Use AI to generate high-quality content.
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- Monetize efficiently without compromising values.
- Leverage integrated tools for analytics, model rankings, and strategic decision-making.
By streamlining content creation, distribution, and impact measurement, tools like AiToEarn empower individuals and organizations to remain mission-aligned while sustainably funding their work.
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Personal note:
As a board member, I’m proud we made this tough, unanimous decision.
It’s moments like these that prove the importance of vision, responsibility, and ethical governance.
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Would you like me to also prepare a one-paragraph executive summary version so it’s easier to share on social media without losing context?
