Drupal Association Calls to Save OSU Open Source Lab

The open source world is facing a critical moment. The Oregon State University Open Source Lab (OSL), a foundational institution that has quietly supported projects like Apache, Debian, Firefox, and Drupal for two decades, is in danger of shutting down. Without $250,000 in funding commitments by May 14, 2025, OSL will be forced to close its doors.

The Drupal Association, which owes part of its success to OSL’s early support, calls on developers, organizations, and open source advocates everywhere to step up. The Association makes it clear: this is not just about saving a data center. It is about preserving the invisible infrastructure that keeps open source alive.

When Drupal.org’s original server failed in 2005 under growing demand, OSL stepped in to host it. That gave Drupal the space to grow into the global platform it is today. The lab offered more than hardware. It provided long-term support and mentorship, helping launch the careers of leaders who continue to guide Drupal’s infrastructure.

Today, OSL still supports part of Drupal’s operations, including testing environments, mail transport, and systems in transition. It also powers dozens of other major open source projects, offering secure, reliable, nonprofit-driven hosting in a tech industry dominated by commercial cloud providers.

A shutdown would disrupt critical services, weaken digital freedom, and dismantle a vital training ground for student engineers learning through real-world open-source work. The loss would set back years of progress and collaboration across the global open source ecosystem.

The Drupal Association is urging the community to act now. Donations of any size can make a difference. Major donors are encouraged to contact [email protected].

To contribute or learn more, visit osuosl.org and donate here.