NetBSD Foundation launches year‑end fundraiser to bridge $39,262 gap for 2025 RISC‑V and Wi‑Fi work

As 2025 winds down, the NetBSD Foundation has opened a year‑end appeal to close a $39,262 shortfall that stands between the project and a fully funded year of development. The plea, posted to the NetBSD‑Users archive on October 26, says the foundation has so far raised $10,738 toward a $50,000 goal and needs “one final push” from the community. The donations will go toward two headline initiatives: expanding NetBSD’s support for the RISC‑V architecture, and continuing an extensive Wi‑Fi renewal project to modernize the operating system’s wireless networking stack. Both efforts are described by proponents as essential to keeping NetBSD usable on contemporary single‑board computers and laptops while preserving its legendary portability across legacy hardware. NetBSD, a long‑running open‑source BSD operating system, is prized by hobbyists, retro‑computing enthusiasts, and infrastructure operators for its small footprint and wide hardware support. The foundation frames its work as not only technical stewardship but also an environmental one: by keeping older machines useful, NetBSD can extend product lifespans and help reduce electronic waste. The fundraiser message—signed by a community member identifying as “Humble NetBSD user Jay”—urges those who value sustainability, security, and cross‑platform software to contribute before the year ends. Supporters are also encouraged to spread the word on social media using the hashtag #WhyIRunNetBSD. Anyone who wants to donate or learn more about the foundation’s plans can find details on the NetBSD donations page at https://netbsd.org/donations/. The NetBSD Foundation’s appeal highlights a recurring truth for many small, volunteer‑driven open‑source projects: bright technical roadmaps can stall without steady funding. For NetBSD’s advocates, this final push will determine whether the project can smoothly carry its maintenance and modernization efforts into 2026.