Stack Overflow Donates $49,300 to Global Charities in Annual Moderator-Driven Initiative

For the eighth consecutive year, Stack Overflow has channeled its appreciation for community moderators into tangible support for global causes through its 'Stack Gives Back' initiative. In 2025, the company donated $100 on behalf of each of its 493 active moderators across the Stack Exchange network, totaling $49,300 distributed among seven nonprofit organizations.

The selection process puts moderators squarely in the driver's seat: each nominates charities aligned with Stack's mission of knowledge sharing and community support, with donation amounts weighted by vote share. This year brought notable changes driven by moderator feedback, including the addition of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) – a direct response to requests for animal welfare representation. More significantly, moderators advocated for including the Internet Archive, whose digital preservation work resonates deeply with technical communities. This newcomer immediately became the second-most supported charity.

Here's how the 2025 contributions break down:

• $14,983 to Doctors Without Borders (30.4%): Maintaining its position as top choice for the eighth straight year, supporting emergency medical care in crisis zones
• $13,292 to Internet Archive (27%): The newcomer earned strong backing for its mission to provide "Universal Access to All Knowledge" through digital preservation
• $5,558 to Trans Lifeline (11.3%): Providing peer support and financial aid for transgender communities
• $4,833 to Electronic Frontier Foundation (9.8%): Defending digital rights and free expression online
• $3,867 to International Fund for Animal Welfare (7.8%): Newly added option supporting animal conservation
• $3,625 to Rainforest Alliance (7.4%): Promoting sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem protection
• $3,142 to Girls Who Code (6.4%): Closing the gender gap in technology careers

Cumulatively, these annual donations now total $731,800 since the program's inception – a significant investment reflecting Stack's operational philosophy. As one moderator noted: "Seeing Internet Archive added and heavily supported shows how much this community values preserving our digital heritage. It's not just about coding help; it's about safeguarding the infrastructure of knowledge itself."

The initiative underscores how Stack Overflow recognizes its volunteer moderators – who handle content moderation, user safety, and quality control across 180+ communities – while extending impact beyond the digital realm. By letting moderators direct funds to causes mirroring diverse community values (from digital freedoms to environmental protection), Stack transforms platform stewardship into global betterment. As the company stated: "This is our way of honoring everyone building this library of human knowledge – one question, answer, and flag at a time."