Over 97% of the 'Linux' Foundation's Budget Goes Not to Linux

· ai · Source ↗

The Linux Foundation’s latest annual report reveals only 2.95% of its budget funds Linux itself, with the remainder spread across cloud, AI, and open-source projects far removed from the kernel.

What Matters

  • LF annual report page 58 shows 2.95% allocated to Linux; the calculation requires cross-referencing buried figures.
  • Linus Torvalds is no longer among LF’s top-10 compensated individuals; highest-paid staff reportedly don’t use Linux.
  • A $181M line item labeled “Project Support” is unexplained — Linux is budgeted separately, making the category’s contents opaque.
  • The piece characterizes the drift as openwashing: branding everything “open,” “cloud,” and “AI” while core mission erodes.
  • linuxmark.org, the trademark enforcement resource, redirects back to the Linux Foundation itself, neutralizing third-party accountability.
  • [HN: @woodruffw] The 97% figure is misleading without knowing what share funds no open source at all; LF hosts many OSS projects beyond Linux.
  • [HN: @tdeck] Executive compensation filings on ProPublica are “pretty shocking” for a nonprofit of this structure.

Original | Discuss on HN

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