RustConf 2023 - Rust Foundation: Demystified

The Rust Foundation manages Rust's intellectual property, raises funds, and ensures sustainability and independence.

Key takeaways
  • The Rust Foundation is a legal entity that was formed to manage the trademark and intellectual property of the Rust project.
  • The Foundation’s primary goal is to ensure the sustainability and independence of the Rust project.
  • The Foundation raises funds from companies that use Rust and want to support its development, which are then used to employ engineers to work on the project.
  • The Foundation’s board of directors sets the high-level goals and priorities for the project, and the staff is responsible for making decisions about how to allocate resources.
  • The Foundation provides support to the Rust project and community through various initiatives, including the community grants program, which provides funding to individuals and organizations that contribute to the project.
  • The Foundation also works to ensure that the Rust project is independent and not controlled by any single company or entity.
  • The Rust Foundation has signed NDAs with companies that provide funding, which can help to protect the intellectual property of the project.
  • The Foundation provides support to individuals who contribute to the project, including through the community grants program, which provides funding to individuals and organizations that contribute to the project.
  • The Foundation’s funding is limited and subject to fluctuations, which can impact the project’s ability to hire engineers and support the community.
  • The Foundation’s priorities are influenced by its member companies, which can sometimes lead to conflicts of interest.
  • The Foundation’s board of directors is responsible for making decisions about the project’s direction and priorities, and the staff is responsible for implementing those decisions.
  • The Rust Foundation is not a corporate entity, but rather a non-profit organization that exists to support the Rust project and community.
  • The Foundation provides support to the Rust project and community through various initiatives, including the community grants program, which provides funding to individuals and organizations that contribute to the project.
  • The Foundation’s funding is limited and subject to fluctuations, which can impact the project’s ability to hire engineers and support the community.