Over the last few years, The Linux Foundation has evolved to engage many
open source communities that represent a diverse range of developers,
systems administrators, network operators and students. This work has
resulted in a desire among individuals for new and more diverse ways to
support this growing Linux and open source community, especially in terms
of diversity and increasing access to new technologies. So it is a natural
time for us to review how best to provide a mechanism through which
individuals can demonstrate their support and reap even more benefits.

Starting in 2016, Individual Affiliates can become Individual Supporters,
receiving more benefits and discounts than ever for their generous backing
of Linux and open source software. And under the program, students can
become Individual Supporters and receive benefits for free (previously
students paid $25 annually). By increasing the benefits of support, we
hope to attract even more individuals, including those at the high school
and college levels who can grow into Linux and open source professionals,
and increase donations to important community and industry organizations
that are advancing diversity in tech and increasing access to new
technologies and learning opportunities for underserved populations.

The funds raised from the Individual Supporter program will help support
the developer and diversity programs that are important to building
a stable and thriving community. For 2016 funds generated from the
Individual Supporter program will be donated to Outreachy, FreeGeek
and #YesWeCode. Recipient organizations will be reviewed on an annual
basis. And, if you'd still like to simply support Linux Foundation and
the work of Linus Torvalds, you can donate directly to the Foundation:

https://www.linuxfoundation.org/participate/linux-donate


The Individual Supporter Program Benefits
-----------------------------------------

Individual Supporters will receive more benefits and discounts than ever
for their generous backing of Linux and open source software.
	* Email forwarding (our most popular benefit continues)
	* One LF 30% off discount per year good for use on one of the following events: Embedded Linux Conference (ELC), OpenIoT Summit, LinuxCon, ContainerCon, ApacheCon, Apache: Big Data, Vault, Automotive Linux Summit (ALS) or ONS. This discount alone is worth the cost of becoming an Individual Supporter.
	* 10% off Linux Foundation instructor-led training
	* $100 off Linux Foundation certification exams
	* 50% off SCALE registration
	* 35% off No Starch Press Publications
	* Up to 40% off O'Reilly.com print publications
	* Subscription to the weekly Linux.com Briefing Book
	* Up to 40% off at HP, Dell and Lenovo


Further benefits for previous Individual Affiliates
---------------------------------------------------

For individuals who have been supporting Linux Foundation and the open
source community through the discontinued Individual Affiliate programs,
we want to thank you for your long-term support. Additional benefits for
members of the discontinued program who elect to become an Individual
Supporter include:

* One free year as an Individual Supporter
* One free LFCS certification exam discount to help improve your professional status and grow our ecosystem of Linux certified professionals
* A free lifetime Linux.com email (a $150 value alone)
* To participate in the Individual Supporter program, follow the link below to sign up. In order to qualify for these additional benefits, you must sign up for the Individual Supporter program by March 31, 2016.

Please note any active renewal fee subscriptions for individuals in
the previous program will be canceled. If you had an active renewal fee
subscription, you will receive a cancellation notice in the next few days.

[link removed]

If you are a current Individual Affiliate and choose not to sign up as
an Individual Supporter, we would be happy to help refund the dues from
your most recent Individual Affiliate order or renewal order completed
in the past 12 months. To obtain a refund, choose the refund option from
the above link and we will refund you promptly. Your credit card will
also not be charged for any future renewals.

Thank you again for your support!


The Linux Foundation team