Frequently Asked Questions
This is a single FAQ from the MetaFilter FAQ.
What is the history of MetaFilter's transition to a community run site?
This document is a centralized location of information about the transition of MetaFilter from a single ownership to being a community run site with a governing board.
What was this transition?
MetaFilter formerly operated as a private Vermont-based LLC owned by former moderator Jessamyn West. She donated her interest in the LLC to a Delaware-based non-stock corporation named the MetaFilter Community Foundation (MFC, or MeFiCoFo). The site itself is still known as “MetaFilter.”
No, seriously what does that even mean?
The site used to be owned by Jessamyn. Now it’s owned by the MetaFilter Community Foundation, currently run by a board of volunteers from the community.
Who’s currently on the board?
There are currently three members on the Interim Board: 1adam12, Rhaomi and Gorgik, who volunteered from the original group that began planning this process. Here’s how the board is described in their own words: “It’s the first board of the Foundation. Our goals are to get the organization/legal/ structural things set up for the full board to take over.” You can contact the board directly at MeFiCoFo@gmail.com.
Why did this happen?
For most of its history, the site operated under a single owner/decisionmaker, which was prone to burnout and bottlenecks. A first attempt at reform under a volunteer Steering Committee in 2022 ran into restrictions on volunteerism under the for-profit LLC. Jessamyn decided to pursue a transition to a different structure that would be better suited to community governance. There’s a series of posts on MetaTalk that show all the posts and information as it happened, under the tag MeFiNonProfit; just start from the bottom.
What can I, as a member of MetaFilter to assist the site?
Is there a particular aspect of MetaFilter that you have ideas about or want to be involved in? Great! Go ahead and create a MetaTalk post describing your ideas and see if there are others that want to work with you on those ideas! Some examples: beta-testing or contributing code to the MetaFilter redesign, helping with fundraising projects, rethinking the outreach and nboarding process for new members, forming or joining various advisory groups. You’re also encouraged to reach out to staff and board members for questions, participate in community threads and meetings, contribute funding for site operations, and of course share your interests and insights in posts and comments across the site!
(tags: transition MeFiCoFo ) March 20, 2025 - back to questions
What was this transition?
MetaFilter formerly operated as a private Vermont-based LLC owned by former moderator Jessamyn West. She donated her interest in the LLC to a Delaware-based non-stock corporation named the MetaFilter Community Foundation (MFC, or MeFiCoFo). The site itself is still known as “MetaFilter.”
No, seriously what does that even mean?
The site used to be owned by Jessamyn. Now it’s owned by the MetaFilter Community Foundation, currently run by a board of volunteers from the community.
Who’s currently on the board?
There are currently three members on the Interim Board: 1adam12, Rhaomi and Gorgik, who volunteered from the original group that began planning this process. Here’s how the board is described in their own words: “It’s the first board of the Foundation. Our goals are to get the organization/legal/ structural things set up for the full board to take over.” You can contact the board directly at MeFiCoFo@gmail.com.
Why did this happen?
For most of its history, the site operated under a single owner/decisionmaker, which was prone to burnout and bottlenecks. A first attempt at reform under a volunteer Steering Committee in 2022 ran into restrictions on volunteerism under the for-profit LLC. Jessamyn decided to pursue a transition to a different structure that would be better suited to community governance. There’s a series of posts on MetaTalk that show all the posts and information as it happened, under the tag MeFiNonProfit; just start from the bottom.
What can I, as a member of MetaFilter to assist the site?
Is there a particular aspect of MetaFilter that you have ideas about or want to be involved in? Great! Go ahead and create a MetaTalk post describing your ideas and see if there are others that want to work with you on those ideas! Some examples: beta-testing or contributing code to the MetaFilter redesign, helping with fundraising projects, rethinking the outreach and nboarding process for new members, forming or joining various advisory groups. You’re also encouraged to reach out to staff and board members for questions, participate in community threads and meetings, contribute funding for site operations, and of course share your interests and insights in posts and comments across the site!
(tags: transition MeFiCoFo ) March 20, 2025 - back to questions