JonVanGDec 29, 2022
Michelle Manafy
Mastodon has rejected more than five investment offers from Silicon Valley venture capital firms in recent months, as its founder pledged to protect the fast-growing social media platform’s non-profit status. (open access link) https://on.ft.com/3YSq8PU
#twittermigration #mastodon
Dec 28, 2022 at 1:47pmWeb
Show threadtoxtethogradyDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy So they wanted to buy a piece of the Fediverse? What did they say to making it a donation?
Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@toxtethogrady No doubt there's interest in turning it into a commercial platform, but I really hope it stays independent!
According to the article (citing founder, German software developer Eugen Rochko):
Mastodon will continue to rely on donations to fund the platform. The site has more than 8,500 donors on the membership platform Patreon, through which it is raising over £25,000 a month. This compares with total earnings of just over €55,000 in the six months from June to December 2021.
Show threadtoxtethogradyDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy I'm sure the other instances have their own tip jars. It would be nice if they were 501c3's or something like that, so the donations could be tax-deductible...
Show threadDwight Williams (💉 x9)+😷🇨🇦Dec 28, 2022
@toxtethogrady @michellemanafy Trying to remember the closest Canadian counterpart to a 501c3...?
Show threadtoxtethogradyDec 28, 2022
@DEWLine @michellemanafy I'm guessing any sort of donation to a registered non-profit. This would be a non-political activity, although I'm not sure what gets to be tax-deductible - 501c3 donations or 501c4 donations. And I don't know what Canadian laws are about charitable donations and tax-deductibility...
Show threadDwight Williams (💉 x9)+😷🇨🇦Dec 28, 2022

@toxtethogrady @michellemanafy This might be a good place to start looking for info:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/charities/charities-giving-a-index.html

Charities and giving – A to Z index - Canada.ca

The Charities and Giving routing page provides useful links to charity- and donor-related topics, including applying for registration, revoking registered status, donating to charity, how to donate wisely, claiming charitable tax credits, as well as policies and technical information.

Show threadDwight Williams (💉 x9)+😷🇨🇦Dec 28, 2022

@toxtethogrady @michellemanafy

Or maybe this, in addition to the CRA web resources? It's dated 2018, and may or may not (still) be helpful?

https://www.ngosource.org/blog/canadian-charities

Show threadBasti 🇩🇪🇪🇺Dec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy @toxtethogrady Well than I hope more people support them with 1€ on patreon. I do it but I honestly think they waste a lot of money on the mediocre official mastodon apps 🤷‍♂️
Show threadSergioDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy @toxtethogrady Plus, Mastodon has been reeleased with a free software license. They can got a commercial platform if they want it, but the license will preserve the project anyway in any other form or name, so the instances will remain availables. They can sponsor a ' commercial instance ' of whatever they want ( and its ok ), but only for their own single instance.
Show threadComing Up Violets!Dec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy @toxtethogrady Thank you, #JohnMastodon !
Show threadGATEKEEPERDec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy

Just a reminder any solicitations....will be blocked

Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@GatekeepKen thanks for letting me know! : )
this was an article about Mastodon's founder rejecting funding offers though, so if I came close to crossing the line with it, just lmk how and I'll be more aware.
Show threadGATEKEEPERDec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy

Oh no. not pointed at you. I appreciate the update.

Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@GatekeepKen Ah, ok! But always good to learn more as I'm new to the platform. thanks!
Show threadGATEKEEPERDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy
followed
Show threadOne vote to make a differenceDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy a #shoutout to #Mastodon for putting #community and #people before financial rewards! #Humanity #NonProfit
Show threadmsgbiDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy @charles_ex @aloa5 @Ginger149 listen to two hachyderm podcast. some clear now
Show threadCondalmo.Dec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy This link isn't open access - paywalled
Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@condalmo I am so sorry. When you use a share link on most sites, it is unlimited links. I just checked and at FT, only THREE people can click your share link. 🙄 I'm sharing some other details from the article and If I see one on a non-pay site, I promise to share that as well.
Show threadCondalmo.Dec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy No worries! Just wanted to let you know
Show threadSue StrongDec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy @condalmo I archived it. Try that link. Sometimes sites can be viewed in reader mode or in other apps. For example NY Times is available in Yahoo News free. Some available in MSN and Apple News. There are a few web archive apps too.

https://archive.ph/2022.12.28-163521/https://www.ft.com/content/de808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd?sharetype=blocked

archive.ph

Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@strong_sue @condalmo
Nice. thanks!
Show threadTDplayDec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy @condalmo just gonna drop these here, don't mind me

https://12ft.io

https://12ft.io/proxy?&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcontent%2Fde808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd

12ft

Show threadMichael BethkeDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy Why I'm here.
Show threadKProfsBlogDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy So there really is a John Mastodon? Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Show threadAmiW Streetart ❄️Dec 28, 2022
@KProfsBlog @michellemanafy yes Thanks @Gargron 💕
Show threadFree Speech AbolitionistDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy ok that’s great but he also refuses to hire anyone, and this site’s glitchyness/slowness has not improved in the past 2 months
Show threadJeremy Drinks Coffee ☕Dec 28, 2022
@organizingpower @michellemanafy
@Gargron is hiring more full-time staff.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/23/mastodon-creator-eugen-rochko-talks-funding-and-how-to-build-the-anti-twitter/
Mastodon creator Eugen Rochko talks funding and how to build the anti-Twitter

Mastodon’s success has somewhat taken its creator Eugen Rochko by surprise, but he's steadfast on maintaining its non-profit nature.

TechCrunch
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy This is only the beginning. If Twitter folds, there will be hundreds of millions, if not billions, offered.
Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy
For me, this article is paywalled. While I will abstain from supporting the website, the message of the article is vital to our future.
@BobWilliams
Show threadDr. D. Elisabeth GlasscoDec 28, 2022

@chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Free to read.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/12/twitter-rival-mastodon-rejects-funding-to-preserve-nonprofit-status/

Twitter rival Mastodon rejects funding to preserve nonprofit status

Open source microblogging site has seen surge of interest since Musk took over Twitter.

Ars Technica
Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Deglassco
Much Gratitude!
@michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 28, 2022

@Deglassco @chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

This is an interesting move. Let's recall that non-profits can accept funding (think about Red Cross, for example), but they cannot operate under shareholders. It will be important eventually for Mastodon to have enough resources to run itself as well as possible, but avoid becoming a horrible company - like most other social media companies.

https://robertsonp.substack.com/p/in-defense-of-the-twitter-quitter

In Defense of the Twitter Quitter

You don’t need to stay on Twitter and ‘fight’

Phil's Takes
Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Probs
Fortunately, users and admins have control over which instances they participate in and the ability to fund instances independently of mastodon is a great feature.
@Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 28, 2022

@chadbruner @Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Thanks for sharing that. In this situation, could individual instances seek funding? Separately, would there be need for more resources and funding for the overall site itself? Or is Mastodon ready to be a world-leading social media site as is, with individual instances boosted by individual funders?

Show threadChad BrunerDec 28, 2022
@Probs
Mastodon comes to life and is sustained by each instance individually. It's up to instance admins to inform their users of the financial needs of their instance. For example, so far, the admin of the instance I use has not participated in discussing donations or financial needs; however, I am ready and willing to support my instance in any way I can should the need arise. Rules and access vary by instance also.
@Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams
Show threadPhil RobertsonDec 29, 2022

@chadbruner @Deglassco @michellemanafy @BobWilliams

Thanks. Do you think the overall tech and oversight of Mastodon, aside from the individual instances, will need further financial / personnel support? I understand individual instances can pursue their growth in their own way, but I wonder about the overall set up and anything required for global Mastodon site excellence. Thanks for sharing your view.

Show threadPhilip Ives 🖖Dec 28, 2022
@Deglassco @chadbruner @michellemanafy @BobWilliams Great article. I hope this sits continues to act as it does now.
Show threadPelle WessmanDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy @ia Though key with Mastodon is that it relies on open protocols and can survive independently of any specific implementation or actor
Show threadHikerDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy The article is behind a paywall.
Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@Hiker Sorry about that. I learned today that an FT share link only works for the first three clicks. oy.
The good news is that @strong_sue did this: https://archive.ph/2022.12.28-163521/https://www.ft.com/content/de808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd?sharetype=blocked
archive.ph

Show threadHikerDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy Thanks for the link.

How can investors even think they could buy a decentralised network? Quite stupid - but money destroys a lot. @strong_sue
Show threadCoyote Surfing 🎸🎡 🌊Dec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy

If Silicon Valley VCs buy Mastodon, run it for profit for a few years, sell it to another stark raving sociopath lunatic ......

We'll find something else

This is how it will be from now on

Show threadSSFC KDT (MOVED)Dec 28, 2022

@michellemanafy The beauty of it is even if he did, it would be meaningless. Rochko doesn't own the platform. Mastodon the nonprofit does not own Mastodon the network of Mastodon (and other) servers that make the network what it is.

Would you call the interstate system a "platform?" The railroad system? The broadcast TV system?

This ain't your daddy's billionaire owned media empire

(It's your daddy's free and open internet)

Show threadDibleyDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy no doubt the bird site included.
Show threadMeryem FuatDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy It’s depressing that we are still subject to the invention and presumed altruism of one man. I was under the impression that Mastodon was beyond the grasp of VCs.
Show threadmarkDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy This link was posted on another chain
https://archive.vn/rLsYb
Show threadGracie GatoDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy those vultures!
Show threadArtBrewDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy ha! They can set up their own very easily and see how they fare. I love it when things can't be bought. Even if they do buy some of the bigger ones people will just shift. Some of the bigger servers should automate moving if they sell out
Show threadArtBrewDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy
Any link to article without paywall?
Show threadMichelle ManafyDec 28, 2022
@ArtBrew sorry about that. Try this: https://archive.ph/2022.12.28-163521/https://www.ft.com/content/de808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd?sharetype=blocked
archive.ph

Show threadArtBrewDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy thank you
Show threadCatherine is not complacentDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy some people think everything is for sale.
Show threadIrveDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy these hero moments, like the VLC not selling themselves out, make me happy
Show threadChris TrottierDec 28, 2022
@michellemanafy This is why it's all the more important to donate to Mastodon.
Show threadGareth KitchenDec 28, 2022
@atomicpoet @michellemanafy or diversify and support Pleroma et. al. too....