The Mozilla Foundation, the non-profit organization overseeing Firefox’s development, is letting go of around 36 employees, representing a third of its staff. The decision, announced by VP Brandon Borrman, aims to increase agility and impact while continuing its advocacy mission.
In a statement, Borrman explained that the restructuring will focus on eliminating roles associated with past initiatives and bringing more focus forward. While the exact number of layoffs is not disclosed, the foundation reported 60 employees in its 2022 Form 990 disclosure, suggesting a current headcount closer to 120.
The Mozilla Foundation’s advocacy efforts are centered around its mission to maintain an open internet as a global public resource. Its restructuring may impact these efforts, but Borrman reassured that advocacy remains a core tenet of the foundation’s work, with the approach being revisited to better align with its goals.
In contrast, Mozilla Corporation, the Firefox browser developer, laid off about 5% of its staff in February, partly due to CEO Mitchell Baker’s return as executive chair. The corporation is now exploring new revenue streams, including advertising.
Despite this restructuring, the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiaries hold over $1.2 billion in financial assets, with a significant increase in revenue from subscriptions and advertising.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/06/mozilla_foundation_layoffs