Here are just some of the benefits of being an associate member of the Free Software Foundation...
Benefits available only to members at the associate membership level
All of our membership tiers areassociate memberships, and each membership supports the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and its worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom. To distinguish the two membership tiers, we call the membership that with fewer benefits afriendsassociate membership. Some benefits are only available to members at the regular associate membership level. Here's a list of those more comprehensive benefits.
Free entry to the LibrePlanet conference
Associate members of the FSF are invited to attend the FSF'sannual conference. The conference is an opportunity for associate members and free software supporters to meet each other and discuss current issues with FSF staff and some members of the FSF's Board of Directors.
Jitsi Meet access
Becoming an FSF associate member gives you access to ourJitsi Meet server, allowing you to have gratis videoconferencing with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Associate members can start calls or conference rooms that anyone can join using a special URL. We have taken great pains to maximize the privacy and freedom of your calls. As you can expect from the FSF, and unlike other instances, our Jitsi Meet server does not distribute proprietary JavaScript, and rooms are created and moderated with an FSF account, not one controlled by Big Tech. It's the perfect way to stay in touch without resorting to proprietary software.
20% discount on FSF merchandise
You will receive a 20% discount on all purchases in the FSF'sshop— we've got plenty of books, t-shirts, and GNU gear to choose from! To use your discount,simply log into your FSF account, and you'll be taken to a page that explains the process.
IRC cloak on Libera Chat
Associate members can receive an IRC cloak in the form offsf/member/username— please write tomembership@fsf.orgwith your registered Libera.Chat nickname.
Email forwarding
Show the world you support free software! Receive up to five email aliases in the member.fsf.org domain to forward to other addresses. (Email-alias availability is not guaranteed; aliases are given out on a first-come-first-served basis.)Please note: This is not a substitute to your current email service; it is merely a forwarding address, so there is no POP or IMAP or outbound SMTP. Depending on the client and outbound email server you use, you may have the option of sending emails from @member.fsf.org, but they unfortunately won't be accepted by certain email providers.
You will receive an ultra slim, credit-card-sized, 16GB card loaded withTrisquel Live, a fully free GNU/Linux distribution. The card sports an incredibly sturdy and durable double-sided USB connector and fits in a wallet, so you can take it anywhere — sharing GNU/Linux on the go!Please note that the bootable membership cards are cost effective only if we print and send them out in batches. Cards go out once every month. Thanks in advance for your patience!
FSF member badge
Show the world you support software freedom by displaying your associate member badge online for the whole world to see.
Access to the Member Forum
The member forum is a great place to meet other free software activists, communicate directly with FSF staff, and suggest new directions and ideas for our campaigns for software freedom. To access,simply log into your FSF account, and you'll be entering a world of likeminded people.
Access to the Board Nominee Discussion Forum
Access to the FSF board nominee discussion forum, uponeligibility.
The FSF publishes acompact tri-color bulletintwice a year to keep our members and donors informed of current FSF activities and efforts — sent to you via postal mail.
Use of an XMPP (Jabber) server
FSF members can use anXMPP (Jabber)server that is federated, enabling them to communicate with any other XMPP user, on our server or elsewhere.To setup: input your FSF username as the Jabber username, andmember.fsf.orgas the domain if your XMPP client supports server discovery via a DNS SRV record lookup. Most XMPP clients support this. If your client does not, you can use
jabber.member.fsf.org
as the server name. Make sure to enable encryption: we support TLS on port 5222 only. Note: your password is the same as your FSF member password. (Please report any problems you might encounter tosysadmin@gnu.org.)
The FSF is a 501(c)(3) charity in the USA, and your membership dues are therefore tax deductible in the USA. Since the estimated value of the membership-benefit items is $10, the full amount of your dues minus $10 is a tax-deductible contribution to the FSF.
Associate members are non-voting members of the Free Software Foundation, Inc.
Sustaining support of the FSF (aka "warm inner glow")
Perhaps most importantly, with an associate membership at any tier, you canproudlyproclaim that you are helping the FSF carry out its mission to promote, preserve, and advance software freedom.
You can become an associate member at any time and receive these benefits. To join now, start by following the link below.
Want to expand the reach of your support even further?
Ask a friend to become an FSF associate member to build a stronger movement! Talking with your friends and colleagues about our work to promote, protect, and develop free software — in particular about becoming an FSF associate member — is a great way to contribute further. The growth of the free software movement depends on members like you!
