While credit cards are not something that is highly recommended to use for most people and often create unnecessary debt, the idea behind this card is definitely something that can be and is beneficial to our communities.

The Linux Fund began in 1999. Since then, the organization has handed out over one-half million dollars in grants to Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) projects like Blender, FreeGeek and the WikiMedia Foundation.

“We don’t represent a wealthy patron or a long-dead industrialist,” says Mandel. “Our donations come from engineers, managers, and ordinary working geeks who use The Linux Fund Visa in the course of everyday living. The way it works is actually quite cool. Just by using The Linux Fund Visa card, ordinary geeks can participate in serious philanthropy, at no out-of-pocket cost to themselves.”

Each time a cardholder uses their card, a donation is made to The Linux Fund by the card issuer, U.S. Bank. These donations add up to tens of thousands of dollars per year which The Linux Fund then gives out in grants. The Linux Fund has donated to new ideas and teams who maintain things like Debian.