Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Linux Foundation decreased Linux spending to 3.2% in 2022.
Down from the, already absurd, 3.4% in 2021.
August 09, 2023
post photo preview

On December 8th, 2022, the Linux Foundation released their annual report for 2022.

I’m not going to sugar coat this… it is absolutely ridiculous.

The highlight? Funding for the Linux kernel, in 2022, dropped to a measly 3.2% of the foundation’s total revenue of $243 Million dollars.

Down from the — already absurdly low — 3.4% from 2021.

Considering the name of the foundation… that is, needless to say, highly amusing. Or concerning. Possibly infuriating. Likely all three.

Let’s dive into the details and try to figure out why this is happening.

Seriously. Expenditures on Linux drop to 3.2%

Let’s dive into this deeper and try to get an understanding of exactly what is happening here… because that number is just so, dramatically low.

While The Linux Foundation keeps fairly tight-lipped about the details — and they haven’t published their IRS 990 forms for the last two years (which would provide us additional details) — they do provide some high level percentages for us to work from.

Source: Linux Foundation 2022 Annual Report

That chart on the right. The expenditures. Let’s zero in on those numbers and break it down into a bar chart to better visualize things.

Holy smokes.

A few things you’ll immediately notice:

  • Linux is almost the smallest category that the “Linux Foundation” spends money on.

  • “Corporate Operations” receives over twice the funding that “Linux” does.

  • And non-Linux projects? Those receive nearly twenty times the funding of Linux. Twenty! 20x!

The Linux Foundation brought in over $243 Million USD in 2022. Which means the total amount put towards Linux was, according to The Linux Foundation, roughly $7.7 Million (3.2%).

For comparison, the Foundation spent roughly $18 Million on “Corporate Operations” and $144 Million on non-Linux projects.

It’s almost hard to wrap your head around, isn’t it? Here’s another chart that shows Linux Foundation spending.

This is, needless to say, wild. And it calls up a few questions, namely:

  • What, exactly, is all that money being spent on?

  • And… why?

  • Who is making the decision to spend so much money on things that are not Linux?

Let’s see what we can find out.

Where is that money going?

Again, the Linux Foundation provides very few specific details. And hasn’t provided a publicly available form 990 -- an IRS filing required for all tax exempt organizations -- for the last two years (once they do, the Lunduke Journal of Technology will investigate the contents).

Instead, the Linux Foundation provides a generalized breakdown of project types and percentages in their annual report (which, despite being over 130 pages long… is light on actual numbers).

Source: Linux Foundation 2022 Annual Report

Highlights:

  • The Linux Foundation invests more money into “Blockchain” than “Linux”. By a lot (3.7% vs 2.3% of total project spending).

  • They also invest more — a lot more — in “Compliance Best Practices”, “AI”, “IoT”, and “Cloud”.

Repeat: “Blockchain” related projects receive nearly twice the funding of “Linux”… in the Linux Foundation.

I mean… What?!

Now, in defense of The Linux Foundation, the majority of that project funding is going towards open source software of one type or another. At least tangentially. Just not… you know… Linux.

Getting out of the Linux business

What are a few of the specific projects receiving that funding? Here’s four that have an entirely unknown amount of funding:

This is worth repeating: We do not have detailed financial information on these sub-foundations. They don’t provide individual annual reports for each (as they are all under the “Linux Foundation” umbrella) and there doesn’t appear to be any source of documentation, publicly available, to figure out those details.

The fact is, some of these projects may receive many times what the Linux kernel receives. Others may receive a tiny fraction of that amount. We simply don’t have that information.

And, without the Linux Foundation having publicly available 990 forms for 2022 (which are required for organizations like the Linux Foundation)… those vague, percentage breakdowns, by category, are the best bits of information we have available.

Which, honestly, is troubling.

But, one thing is clear, the Linux Foundation is investing — heavily — in almost any type of software… as long as it is not their core business... Linux.

If we were looking at any other company — that observation, combined with the decreasing percentage of revenue spent on their core product — would lead us to the obvious conclusion that they were getting out of their core business.

Which means… it looks like the Linux Foundation is preparing to get out of the “Linux” business.

I know. I know. Don’t shoot me.

I’m just pointing at what’s happening and saying out loud what we’re all thinking.

Where does that money come from?

Great. But… why is this happening? Why is so little funding actually making it to Linux? Why are they migrating — almost entirely — towards other businesses?

In an attempt to answer that, let’s look at where the money comes from — let’s figure out who actually controls the purse-strings.

According to the annual report, the largest block of income (44.5%) comes from membership in the Linux Foundation itself. And we know that becoming a “Platinum Member” of The Linux Foundation costs $500,000 per year.

So who, exactly, are those Platinum Members, you ask? We’ve got a handy graphic just for that!

MicrosoftOracleMeta (Facebook). IntelHuaweiTencent.

Drop down to the Gold level (which runs $100,000 per year) and you’ve got firms like GoogleBlackRockCardanoAlibabaWeBankRefinitivBaidu, and many others.

Those memberships add up. Quickly. These are the companies that pay for the salary of those at The Linux Foundation.

Not only do those companies all have the ear of Linux Foundation executives (if someone gives you half a million dollars every year… you certainly pick up the phone when they call)… but those Platinum Members also get a seat on the Linux Foundation Board of Directors.

They pay... so they get to drive.

This is the current Board:

Take note of the companies that each Board Member represents and works for. (Also worth noting that the Board Chair, Nithya Ruff, works for Amazon… though that is not disclosed in that graphic.)

A lot of companies.  And, at least some of those companies… would rather not see Linux succeed.

Note: I, Lunduke, know many of these people. I’ve broken bread with a rather large portion of them. Some of them I rather quite like personally. But all of them — every single one — has an agenda. Someone gives them a paycheck. And that’s worth noting.

And these are the people who — to a significant degree — determine which projects and sub foundations the Linux Foundation will create, promote, and fund. And which it won’t.

While we do not have publicly published meeting minutes — Oh!  What we wouldn’t give to have been a fly on the wall of some of those meetings! — looking at the individuals (and companies they represent) on the board… we can clearly see why “Linux” funding is not only a small portion of what The Linux Foundation does… but it’s shrinking, year-on-year.

Without published minutes of the Linux Foundation board, and publicly available 990 forms for 2022, we are left in a position where the best we can do is piece together what little information is public… and draw our own conclusions.

And that conclusion is this: Many Mega Corporations have purchased influence in the Linux Foundation. And, as a result, the Linux Foundation is now transitioning away from Linux.

Pessimistic and cynical?  For sure.  But also rather obvious.  In an undeniable way.

What is the future of Linux within The Linux Foundation?

Knowing what we know about The Linux Foundation — which is a whole lot less than we should know — what does the future of Linux support look like from the foundation?

Will we continue to see “Linux” becoming a smaller and smaller part of the overall Linux Foundation business?

The answer to that question seems to be a resounding: “Signs point to yes”.

In fact, I would not be surprised if they changed their foundation name to something without “Linux” in it… very soon.

If the Linux Foundation continues their current approach of establishing new sub-foundations (all focused on non-Linux activities and businesses)… My prediction is that 2023 will see growth in Linux Foundation total revenue, and another drop in Linux Kernel support — either in terms of total dollars or overall percentage. Possibly below 3%.

Note: The Lunduke Journal of Technology has reached out to the Linux Foundation with questions on these, and other, topics — and a request for comment. No response has been provided. Which is pretty par-for-the-course with stories concerning the Linux Foundation over the last several years.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
15
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Linus Says Rust Formatting is "Bass-Ackwards Garbage"

"[Rustfmtcheck] is just ANNOYING. It's automated tooling that is literally making bad decisions for the maintainability," says Linux creator, Linus Torvalds.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:08:17
October 06, 2025
Get a Subscription, Give a Subscription

The "Buy One, Give One" Lunduke Journal offer is good through Friday, October 10th.

The Details:
https://lunduke.substack.com/p/get-a-subscription-give-a-subscription

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:04:30
October 06, 2025
NixOS Mod Admits Reason for Coup is "Trump"

Also, NixOS delays release "Due to Recent Events". Aka... the attempted coup.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:08:05
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
1 hour ago

Mansfield, Georgia. They come claiming to "help" bring funds to poor areas...

'I can't drink the water' - life next to a US data centre
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8gy7lv448o

12 hours ago

Are you old school???

11 hours ago

I'll make you run Windoze!!

New: MP4 Downloads for all Lunduke Journal Subscribers

All Lunduke Journal subscribers now have full access to DRM-Free, MP4 versions of every single video released during 2024 and 2025.

No matter where you subscribe to The Lunduke Journal (Substack, Locals, YouTube, X, or Patreon), and no matter what kind of subscription you have (Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime), you can go to the Subscriber Perks page to get access to some pretty rad goodies:

  • DRM-Free, MP4 versions of all shows

  • A dozen PDF eBooks (plus some goofy games)

  • Full access to the exclusive Lunduke Journal forum

All my way of saying “Thank You” for supporting the important work of The Lunduke Journal. Couldn’t do it without you.

Also worth noting:

Any Lifetime Subscription (or Yearly Subscription picked up through Substack) is “Buy One, Give One” through Friday. Meaning you get a subscription for yourself… and can give a free subscription to whoever you like!

Which. You know. Is pretty awesome.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 18, 2025
Final Reminder: Lifetime Price Increase in 24 hours

This is just a super quick reminder (so no body misses out):

This Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300.

Which means: If you want to pick up a new Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th). That’s roughly 24 hours from the moment I am writing these words.

Obviously, once you have a Lifetime Subscription you’re set. You know. For life.

I wanted to give all of you some notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

Also worth noting: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

This will be the final reminder before the change goes into effect.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 15, 2025
post photo preview
Lunduke Livestream: Tue, Sep 16 at 1pm Eastern

The Lunduke Journal regular live-streaming is back! The next show is Tuesday, September 16th (tomorrow) at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific, 5pm UTC).

You can catch the live video, for free, on X, Rumble, YouTube, & Locals.

We’ve got a lot of Tech News to cover — and who knows what stories will pop up between now and then!

Time permitting, we’ll also be doing a little Nerdy Q & A. So, if you’ve got something you’d like to ask, join us in one of the chat rooms!

Also, quick reminder that the price of new Lifetime Subscription is going up this Friday. If you want one at the lower price, now’s your moment. We’ve also added some new perks for subscribers worth checking out.

See you nerd tomorrow!

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals