Ben Visness announced the launch of the Handmade Software Foundation on January 7, 2026. The nonprofit, now a 501(c)(6) corporation, will funnel 100 % of donations into supporting Handmade software development. The move follows a quiet 2025 focused on community jams and relationship building.

Visness explained that the 501(c)(6) status sidesteps the 501(c)(3) tax‑deductible loophole that once let large firms open‑source core code and then profit from closed‑source extensions. By staying in the business‑league category, the foundation can fund for‑profit projects like File Pilot without IRS restrictions.

Memberships will launch soon, offering a private Discord, business resources, and future perks. The foundation plans an in‑person gathering in Vancouver, BC, in April or May, aiming to host up to 100 attendees for demos, lightning talks, and collaborative jamming sessions that echo the community’s annual jams.

Visness also teased two new jams for 2026, with topics still undecided but likely to spark fresh ideas. As the foundation builds payment infrastructure, members can expect a streamlined subscription model. The initiative signals a shift toward sustainable, community‑driven software that challenges industry norms.