Cancelling a GitHub Sponsorship: A Step-by-Step Guide

When circumstances change, you may find it necessary to reconsider your involvement in supporting open-source projects through GitHub Sponsors. This guide walks you through the process of cancelling a sponsorship, outlines the implications, and suggests alternatives.

Key Points Before Cancelling

• Understanding GitHub Sponsors: Learn about how GitHub Sponsors supports developers and projects. For more insights, explore What is GitHub Sponsors.
• Reasons for Cancelling: Reflect on personal, financial, or alignment issues prompting your decision. Consider reading about Sustainability of Open Source through Tokenization for alternative support methods.

Steps to Cancel Your GitHub Sponsorship

1. Log in to Your GitHub Account: Access your account on GitHub.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: Click on your profile picture to go to "Your profile".
3. Access the Sponsorships Page: Locate the "Sponsoring" section in your profile.
4. Review Active Sponsorships: Check your list of active sponsorships.
5. Select the Sponsorship to Cancel: Choose the appropriate sponsorship to manage.
6. Cancel the Sponsorship: Look for and select "Cancel sponsorship".
7. Confirm Cancellation: Finalize your decision with GitHub.

Post-Cancellation Considerations

• Immediate Effect: Cancellations take effect immediately; no refunds on current cycle payments.
• Developer Notification: Expect the developer to be notified of your cancellation.
• Benefit Loss: Access to tier-specific benefits will cease. Learn more about GitHub Sponsors and Privacy.

Alternatives to Consider

• Adjust Sponsorship Tier: Downgrade to a more manageable level.
• Pause the Sponsorship: Temporarily halt sponsorship if allowed.
• Provide Feedback: Communicate concerns or suggestions to the developer.
• In-kind Contributions: Offer non-financial support like code contributions. Explore Open Source Sponsorship for more ideas.

Conclusion

Cancelling a GitHub sponsorship is straightforward but requires thoughtful consideration of its impacts. Exploring alternatives can maintain your connection with the open-source community, supporting innovation in ways that suit your circumstances. For further details, refer to GitHub's official guide on sponsorship handling.

Remember, your involvement, whether through funding or alternative support, has a significant impact on sustaining open-source projects. For additional reading, check out Benefits of GitHub Sponsors for Developers.