An oft-discussed topic over the past few years has been converting the PSF's sponsorship levels over to a more conventional "gems & metals" based naming scheme, as well as adding additional levels for larger and smaller organisations.

The Marketing WG proposes that the changes to the sponsorship program be implemented for 2016 as described below.

Sponsorship page

Updated text for the "Sponsorship levels" section in https://www.python.org/psf/sponsorship/

New text

Companies, divisions, groups, and organizations of various sizes can benefit from PSF sponsorship. The PSF suggests guidelines for choosing an annual sponsorship level based on the number of employees using Python for development, data analysis, process automation and other activities:

• Diamond: $100,000/year – 2500+ Employees
• Platinum: $50,000/year – 1001 – 2500 Employees
• Gold: $20,000/year – 501 – 1000 Employees
• Silver: $10,000/year – 251 – 500 Employees
• Bronze: $5,000/year – 101 – 250 Employees
• Copper: $2,000/year – 26 – 100 Employees

• Iron: $500/year - < 25 Employees

Divisions or groups within a larger organization can choose to sponsor the PSF as a group, and should choose a sponsorship level appropriate to the level of usage of Python within that group. However, if you belong to such a group within a larger organization, we urge you to consider whether the larger organization as a whole might be interested in helping the PSF and letting the world know about its support.

Individuals who wish to contribute at a higher level than a Supporting Membership may also become sponsors of the PSF, at whatever level they feel is appropriate. Moreover, we certainly welcome smaller organizations who want to sponsor the PSF at more generous levels. Determine what is best for you and your organization: the PSF, like the Python language, trusts its users.

Old text (for reference)

Companies, divisions, groups, and organizations of various sizes can benefit from PSF sponsorship. The PSF suggests guidelines for choosing an annual sponsorship level as follows:

• Benefactor: $20,000 (suggested for organizations of over 500 people)
• Patron: $10,000 (suggested for organizations of 100-500 people)
• Principal: $5,000 (suggested for organizations of 25-100 people)
• Member: $2,000 (suggested for organizations of fewer than 25 people)

Divisions or groups within a larger organization can choose to sponsor the PSF as a group, and should choose a sponsorship level appropriate to the size of the group. However, if you belong to such a group within a larger organization, we urge you to consider whether the larger organization as a whole might be interested in helping the PSF and letting the world know about its support.

Individuals who wish to may also become sponsors of the PSF, at whatever level they feel is appropriate. Moreover, we certainly welcome smaller organizations who want to sponsor the PSF at more generous levels. Determine what is best for you and your organization: the PSF, like the Python language, trusts its users.