If you have ever watched a video online, chances are FFmpeg was involved. The open source multimedia framework powers everything from streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix to video editing software and countless other applications.
FFmpeg handles video and audio processing at a scale most users never see. It converts, streams, and processes media files behind the scenes. Despite its critical role in modern digital infrastructure, the project has long struggled with sustainable funding.
Thankfully, that is starting to change. FFmpeg just received a significant grant from an Indian initiative focused on supporting open source software globally.
FLOSS/fund Donates $100k
We would like to thank @Nithin0dha for the $100k donation to FFmpeg (pending)!
— FFmpeg (@FFmpeg) October 26, 2025
While this does not solve the funding problems behind FFmpeg and Open Source in general, it's a step forward to a sustainable future for Open Source Software. pic.twitter.com/WX5j7Mqg0x
FFmpeg is set to receive $100,000 from FLOSS/fund, a program launched by Indian stockbroking firm Zerodha to give back to the ecosystem that made its success possible.
The funding is part of the initiative's second major distribution round for 2025 (Tranche 2). Though you should know that the grant is currently pending as the fund navigates through the process of reaching out to all recipients and carrying out the necessary paperwork.
The FFmpeg team acknowledged the donation on X, directly thanking Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha and the person behind FLOSS/fund.
However, they were careful to set realistic expectations. The team noted that, while welcome, this funding "does not solve the funding problems behind FFmpeg and Open Source in general."
They called it "a step forward to a sustainable future for Open Source Software."
Announcing this move on FLOSS/fund's 1-year anniversary, Nithin stated that:
I would like to think that "congratulating" the recipients here is inappropriate, as for them, this is neither a victory, nor an achievement. FOSS projects that the world depends on ought to receive financial backing as the norm.
At the very least, a significant amount of collective societal gratitude and recognition is owed to FOSS maintainers and communities. For-profit orgs that benefit from FOSS though, give more money than gratitude, will ya!
Moreover, this marks one of the larger individual grants in their current funding round. FFmpeg joins 29 other open source projects receiving support in this tranche.
Totaling $675,000, this brings the year's total allocation to $1 million alongside May's $325,000 Tranche.
The complete list of projects set to benefit from the fund in Tranche 2 (October 2025).
Other notable projects receiving funding in this round include:
- F-Droid - $50,000
- postmarketOS - $25,000
- OpenStreetMap - $30,000
- PocketBase - $30,000
- Blender - $25,000
- Matrix - $25,000
- Wireshark - $25,000
- KDE - $25,000
- Sequoia PGP - $25,000
Some Challenges to Tackle
Despite completing its funding allocations, FLOSS/fund has faced significant operational challenges. Of the $325,000 announced in May 2025, only $195,000 had been disbursed by October 2025 due to cross-border payment complexities.
The fund is working on a partnership with GitHub Sponsors to streamline future payments. Many recipients from the first tranche had chosen to wait for that system rather than navigate international banking requirements.
The announcement blog is a must-read. I have only covered the funding side of things here, but there are some really great insights from Nithin in there about how FOSS needs to be supported properly and the realities of actually making it happen.
