The GNOME Foundation announced plans to optimize costs to align income and expenses. Over the past few years, the organization has experienced significant overspending of funds. For example, in 2023, the Foundation received $556,000 but spent $676,000, resulting in an overspending of $120,000. In 2022, they received $363,000 and spent $649,000, overspending by $286,000. In 2021, they received $287,000 but spent $927,000, exceeding their budget by $640,000.
To address this imbalance, the GNOME Foundation’s Board of Directors has taken steps in the 2024 financial year (from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025). They aim to restore necessary reserves for any unforeseen issues by reducing expenses and utilizing previously accumulated funds to cover overspending.
To save money, the Foundation has decided to reduce staff by eliminating positions such as the creative director and the Director of Community Development. Tasks previously handled by these employees, such as event organization, marketing initiatives, fundraising efforts, and graphic design, will now be distributed among remaining staff members. Additionally, expenses will be reduced by decreasing paid trips to various events supported by the GNOME Foundation.
Despite these cost-saving measures, funding will continue for essential programs and events such as Linux App Summit, Gnome.asia, Guadec, the maintenance of Gnome.org infrastructure, and the Outreachy program (which funds internships for women and minorities).