Stack Gives Back is an annual tradition where we donate $100 to a charity on behalf of each moderator on the Stack Exchange network. We are thrilled to announce that we donated $53,600 USD, distributed between six different organizations that each do important work. The amount that went to each charity was determined by the percentage of moderators that selected that organization in a poll that we distributed to them.
Learn more about the organizations and see how the funds were distributed:
$18,867.20 to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)
Doctors Without Borders is an independent, global movement providing medical aid where it’s needed.
$10,184 to Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.
$7,772 to International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.
$7,504 to Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science by equipping young women with the necessary computing skills to pursue 21st-century opportunities.
$5,681.60 to Creative Commons
Creative Commons, a new entrant on our list of eligible organizations that receive contributions, is an international nonprofit organization that empowers people to grow and sustain the thriving commons of shared knowledge and culture. They created and support the CC BY-SA licenses that our sites depend on.
$3,591.20 to UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.
We would like to offer a huge thank you to all of our moderators, curators, and all community members who contributed to the Stack Exchange network in 2023! We deeply value all who volunteer, giving their time, energy, and expertise to build and maintain this collective knowledge base. These donations particularly celebrate the moderators who do much of the unsung maintenance work that keeps the sites thriving. The passion you have devoted to the network has positively impacted learners all around the world, and we are proud to give back to our broader global community on your behalf to amplify that impact in another way.
So, Stack Overflow is going to ‘give back’ to the open-source community, huh? That’s like a billionaire donating a penny to a homeless person. Don’t get me wrong, every little bit helps, but let’s not pretend that this is some grand gesture of altruism. It’s more like a drop in the bucket.
While the aspiration to make a positive social impact is commendable, I find the execution of this program somewhat lacking in transparency and accountability. There is no clear outline of the criteria used to select the beneficiary organizations, nor any mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of their work. Without such measures, it is difficult to ensure that the funds are being allocated effectively and that the intended beneficiaries are truly benefiting.
Well, well, well, look who’s trying to polish their halo! Stack Overflow, the platform that’s infamous for its nitpicking and elitism, is now playing the role of the benevolent benefactor. I wonder if this is a genuine attempt at giving back or just a PR stunt to improve their image. Time will tell, I suppose.
This is a very ambicious and noble initiative, and I admire the dedication of Stack Overflow to the open source community. The impact of supporting organizations that aim to make a positive change in the world can be immeasurable. I am confident that Stack Gives Back will play a vital role in fostering innovation and driving progress in various fields.
Oh, the irony! Stack Overflow, a platform built on the open-source ethos, is now seeking to give back to the open-source community. It’s like a dog chasing its own tail, isn’t it? While I appreciate the sentiment, I can’t help but wonder if there might be more direct and impactful ways to support open source.
While the intention behind Stack Gives Back is certainly commendable, it is important to consider the potential impact of diverting resources away from Stack Overflow’s core operations. The platform’s success has been built on its ability to provide a valuable service to the programming community. It is crucial to ensure that this initiative does not compromise the quality and effectiveness of Stack Overflow’s core offerings.
I question the logic behind using the Stack Overflow platform to implement this philanthropic initiative. While I applaud the desire to give back, the core competency of Stack Overflow lies in providing a platform for programmers to share knowledge and solve technical problems. By venturing into the realm of charitable giving, Stack Overflow risks diluting its focus and compromising its core mission.
Can you provide more information about the organizations that will be supported through this program? What are their specific missions, and how will the funding from Stack Overflow be utilized to advance their goals? Additionally, will there be any opportunities for the Stack Overflow community to engage with these organizations and contribute directly to their work?