Contributor Ladder
A clear path from contributor to maintainer. Join us in delivering free technology solutions to nonprofits worldwide.
Where do you fit?
The ladder is for volunteers growing with FFC across many charities, starting at Contributor. Not sure where to begin? Start here:
- •Just editing your own charity's FFC site?You don't need the ladder — start with Edit Your Charity's Website.
- •New to development? Set up your agent on Developer Environment Setup, then you'll enter the ladder at Contributor as you start shipping changes.
Contributor
Anyone can contribute to Free For Charity. Your first contributions help you understand our processes and demonstrate your interest in supporting nonprofits through technology.
Requirements
- ✓Make your first pull request to any repository
- ✓Follow our code of conduct and contribution guidelines
- ✓Engage respectfully with the community
- ✓Complete at least 2 merged contributions
Unpaid Intern
Deepen your involvement with a structured learning path. Work on larger features, documentation, and testing while building expertise in our technology stack.
Requirements
- ✓Complete 5+ merged contributions as a Contributor
- ✓Participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback
- ✓Demonstrate understanding of our architecture and standards
- ✓Complete training in either Global Admin or Canva Designer track
- ✓Attend team meetings and community calls regularly
Paid Intern
Take on significant responsibilities with compensation for your time. Lead feature development, coordinate with charity partners, and help shape our roadmap.
Requirements
- ✓Successfully complete Unpaid Intern requirements
- ✓Lead development of at least 2 major features or initiatives
- ✓Obtain relevant certification (MS-900, GitHub Foundations, or Canva Design School)
- ✓Demonstrate ability to work independently on complex projects
- ✓Support onboarding and mentoring of new contributors
Mentor
Guide the next generation of contributors. Share your expertise through code reviews, documentation, training, and active community leadership.
Requirements
- ✓Complete at least 6 months as Paid Intern
- ✓Mentor 2+ contributors through their growth journey
- ✓Lead training sessions or create educational content
- ✓Participate in governance and strategic planning
Maintainer
Own core components of the platform with full authority. Make architectural decisions, manage releases, and ensure the long-term success of Free For Charity.
Requirements
- ✓Demonstrated excellence as Mentor for 1+ year
- ✓Deep expertise in multiple areas of our technology stack
- ✓Trusted with repository write access and release management
- ✓Active leadership in community governance and strategic direction
Contributor
Anyone can contribute to Free For Charity. Your first contributions help you understand our processes and demonstrate your interest in supporting nonprofits through technology.
Requirements
- ✓Make your first pull request to any repository
- ✓Follow our code of conduct and contribution guidelines
- ✓Engage respectfully with the community
- ✓Complete at least 2 merged contributions
Unpaid Intern
Deepen your involvement with a structured learning path. Work on larger features, documentation, and testing while building expertise in our technology stack.
Requirements
- ✓Complete 5+ merged contributions as a Contributor
- ✓Participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback
- ✓Demonstrate understanding of our architecture and standards
- ✓Complete training in either Global Admin or Canva Designer track
- ✓Attend team meetings and community calls regularly
Paid Intern
Take on significant responsibilities with compensation for your time. Lead feature development, coordinate with charity partners, and help shape our roadmap.
Requirements
- ✓Successfully complete Unpaid Intern requirements
- ✓Lead development of at least 2 major features or initiatives
- ✓Obtain relevant certification (MS-900, GitHub Foundations, or Canva Design School)
- ✓Demonstrate ability to work independently on complex projects
- ✓Support onboarding and mentoring of new contributors
Mentor
Guide the next generation of contributors. Share your expertise through code reviews, documentation, training, and active community leadership.
Requirements
- ✓Complete at least 6 months as Paid Intern
- ✓Mentor 2+ contributors through their growth journey
- ✓Lead training sessions or create educational content
- ✓Participate in governance and strategic planning
Maintainer
Own core components of the platform with full authority. Make architectural decisions, manage releases, and ensure the long-term success of Free For Charity.
Requirements
- ✓Demonstrated excellence as Mentor for 1+ year
- ✓Deep expertise in multiple areas of our technology stack
- ✓Trusted with repository write access and release management
- ✓Active leadership in community governance and strategic direction
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you're interested in technology or design, we have a path for you. Explore our training programs and start making an impact today.
Designations you earn as you climb
Progressing the ladder isn't just access — it's recognition you can take with you. Mentoring and teaching rungs feed the continuing-education “training delivered” channel.
Legacy reference
The WordPress-era core-competencies curriculum is preserved at wordpress-volunteer-core-competencies — seven core competencies (LastPass, AI assistants, MS-900, MS-700, OneDrive, Planner, M365 Apps) covering 33–46 hours of self-study. Use it as supplemental reading when moving through the modern contributor ladder.