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The Zulip open-source project has transitioned to a new independent nonprofit, the Zulip Foundation, which now oversees its development. Kandra Labs has donated ownership, aiming for increased stability and a focus on community and public-interest organizations.
The Zulip Foundation has been established as the new steward of the Zulip open-source team chat platform, with Kandra Labs donating its ownership to the nonprofit. This move aims to enhance stability, align with core values, and support charitable fundraising efforts.
On May 15, 2026, the leadership of Zulip announced a major structural change: Kandra Labs, the company that has managed Zulip for over a decade, has transferred ownership to the newly formed Zulip Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization. The foundation’s mission is to develop the best team chat experience, with a focus on public-interest organizations and communities.
Kim Vandiver has been appointed as Interim President to oversee operations during the transition. The foundation’s initial board includes Zulip’s founder Tim Abbott, co-leaders Greg Price and Alya Abbott, and Rust programming advocate Josh Triplett. An advisory board featuring prominent open-source and academic figures has also been announced.
Operational stability remains high, with ongoing support for Zulip Cloud, self-hosted services, and initiatives like Google Summer of Code. The transition is expected to cause a temporary slowdown in development, but no major disruptions are anticipated.
Why It Matters
This change marks a significant step toward ensuring Zulip’s long-term independence and sustainability. By establishing a nonprofit governance structure, Zulip aims to reinforce its commitment to community, transparency, and open-source values. The move also opens new avenues for charitable fundraising, supporting its mission to serve public-interest organizations and research communities.
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Background
Founded over a decade ago, Zulip gained recognition for its unique topic-based threading model, which improves team communication. Until now, Kandra Labs has managed Zulip’s development and support, balancing commercial and community interests. The recent release of Zulip 12.0 showcased active development, with nearly 5,500 commits from a global contributor base. The leadership transition aligns with similar governance models used by organizations like Mozilla and Wikipedia, emphasizing independence and community focus.
“This new structure formalizes our long-standing commitment to Zulip’s sustainability and independence.”
— Tim Abbott
“We are committed to maintaining stability and continuing to support Zulip’s core community and enterprise users.”
— Kim Vandiver
“The foundation will help us focus on building the best possible team chat experience for all users.”
— Greg Price
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear how the new governance structure will impact the pace of development or feature prioritization in the coming months. Details about future fundraising strategies and additional board members are still being finalized.
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What’s Next
The Zulip Foundation plans to recruit additional board members and advisory board experts. The organization will continue supporting existing users and community projects, with updates on development milestones expected over the next quarter. A broader fundraising campaign may also be launched to support further growth.
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Key Questions
What is the main purpose of the Zulip Foundation?
The foundation aims to govern Zulip’s development, ensure its long-term sustainability, and support public-interest and community organizations through charitable fundraising.
Will there be any immediate changes to Zulip’s features or support?
No. Operations, including support for Zulip Cloud and self-hosted versions, will continue without interruption during the transition period.
Why did Kandra Labs donate ownership to a nonprofit?
This move aligns with Zulip’s values of independence, transparency, and community focus, and aims to secure its future beyond commercial interests.
What are the benefits of this new governance model?
It provides a stable, transparent structure for development, enables charitable fundraising, and emphasizes long-term community engagement and open-source principles.
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