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EnglishWho runs RubyGems.org and how can I support it?
Updated
RubyGems.org is maintained and operated by Ruby Central's Open Source Program and the RubyGems team. It is a community-run service overseen by Ruby Central, and it stays secure and sustainable through two main support paths: the Supporter Program (for individuals or companies that want to directly fund maintenance, operations, and growth) and tax-deductible donations to Ruby Central, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit behind RubyGems.org, RubyGems, and Bundler.
Who operates RubyGems.org
The site describes itself as "your community gem host" and states plainly that the website and service are maintained and operated by Ruby Central's Open Source Program and the RubyGems team. Ruby Central oversees the service, which is described as community-run rather than owned by a single company.
The scale involved is visible on the homepage: 270,455,169,713 downloads and counting. That number is a useful reminder of what the infrastructure supports — every gem install and Bundler resolution that reaches RubyGems.org depends on this service remaining available.
Ways to support it
There are two distinct routes, and they serve slightly different purposes.
| Option | Who it's for | What it funds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supporter Program | Individuals or companies | Direct funding of maintenance, operations, and growth | Described as a way to "directly fund" the service |
| Donation to Ruby Central | Anyone who wants to contribute | Keeps RubyGems.org, RubyGems, and Bundler secure and sustainable | Tax-deductible; Ruby Central is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
Supporter Program
The Supporter Program is aimed at you or your company if you want to put money directly toward keeping the service running and growing. The site frames it as a way to "directly fund its maintenance, operations, and growth." Sponsors are listed publicly, so companies that participate get visibility alongside their support.
Donations to Ruby Central
If you simply believe in open source and want to contribute, Ruby Central accepts tax-deductible donations. Ruby Central is described as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that keeps RubyGems.org, RubyGems, and Bundler secure and sustainable. The donation path is the simpler one — no program enrollment, just a contribution to the nonprofit.
Contributing beyond funding
The site also points to a contribution page for those who want to help in non-financial ways. The framing is explicit: "If you build with Ruby and believe in our mission, you can join us in keeping RubyGems.org, RubyGems, and Bundler secure and sustainable for years to come by contributing here." So if you write Ruby, maintain gems, or work on Bundler, there is a path for you that isn't purely monetary.
How to decide which route fits
- You or your company wants recognition plus direct support → look at the Supporter Program and the current sponsors list.
- You want a straightforward, tax-deductible contribution → donate to Ruby Central.
- You want to help with time and code rather than money → use the contribution link referenced on the site.
One practical note: the homepage presents these as the primary support mechanisms, but it does not publish pricing tiers, minimum amounts, or program terms. If you need those specifics — for example, to get budget approval for a company sponsorship — check the Supporter Program and sponsor pages directly rather than assuming a figure.
Why this matters if you publish or install gems
If you publish gems, your releases live on infrastructure that Ruby Central and the RubyGems team operate. If you install gems, your builds depend on the same service. Supporting it — through the Supporter Program, a donation, or contributions — is how the community keeps that dependency healthy rather than treating it as free, invisible infrastructure.