[Request for comment] Using revenue to support p5.js

[gr2m]

So far, I've donated all the revenue from the WIP Pro plan to Rails Girls Summer of Code. I strongly support their mission of making Open Source more diverse by paid fellowships, great coaching and collaboration with established Open Source projects. I had the pleasure to coach 3 teams in the past myself.

But there were several changes recently that make me hesitant to support the project further. Travis CI was aquired, and several people left both the company as well as the Travis Foundation which is running Rails Girls Summer of Code. I know longer know anybody personally working there. After a year off, the new team announced that Rails Girls Summer of Code will be back in 2020. I wish them nothing but success, but took the opportunity to research other initiatives to support.

The project that I'd like to support instead is p5.js. It's a JavaScript library for creative coding. It's very simple to get started and express your creative ideas with it. I had the pleasure to experience it first hand at a p5.js event a few years ago, watching students new to coding building interactive art without any previous background in coding. It's also when I met the founder, Prof. Lauren McCarthy. I later met Evelyn Masso, one of the core maintainers. They are both reason enough to support the project outright.

But what is even more impressive is the community's core principles and the impact it has on both Open Source and the world at large. Here is a summary by the projects founder:

translation to Spanish, Chinese, ongoing efforts in Hindi and Korean, and the creation of a Global Contributor's Toolkit; making the software screen-reader accessible for users with visual impairments and disabilities and teaching workshops in sign language; creating a web editor and friendly error system to prioritize beginners; designing curricula for people in Washington state prisons with no internet access and students with low computer literacy in Johannesburg, South Africa; creating artworks and projects using p5.js, including a data visualization platform that highlighted human rights violations and social justice issues, a coding comic for historically underserved children of color, and bilingual coding zines; and expanding community through workshops for different groups like trans and gender nonconforming youth who live in New York City homeless shelters, women, non-binary, and femme-identifying folks, and many others.

—Lauren McCarthy, Making Space for the Future of p5.js

After 7 years, the project is at the verge of a v1.0 release. Lauren will transition leadership to a rotating model and move to a coaching role. They estimate that the project will require $70,000 per year for a project lead stipend, mentor stipend, fundraising and administration. If they don't raise the funds, the project will be archived.

WIP is currently making roughly $1,000 / year. I donated the first payout of $673.43 to Rails Girls Summer of Code in June. I received the 2nd payout of $647.82, ready to be donated.

I want Open Source to become more diverse. I can't think of a better way to use WIP's revenue than supporting p5.js.

This change is up for discussion. If you have any concerns or questions, please comment below. I'll leave the issue open for 2 weeks.

[gr2m]

Thank you for your feedback! I'll donate to the latest payout to p5.js's fundraising campaign and will support the project moving forward.

[dev-masih]

In github marketplace in pro and enterprise plan still says donations will go to Rails Girls Summer of Code

[gr2m]

Thank you Masih I’ll fix that right away