What Motivates Developers to Contribute to Open Source?

Picture this: you're a developer who uses this open-source project every day. One day, you hit a bug, and as annoying as it is, it hits you: "I could totally fix this." You send off your first pull request, not sure if anyone will even look at it. Then, out of nowhere, the maintainer replies, and they actually merge your fix! A little win in life. 

But why do some people stick around after that first fix, contributing for years, while others dip out after one PR? It’s not just about getting people to contribute; it’s about understanding why they do it and how to keep them engaged for the long haul.

Why People Start Contributing: The Motivation Behind That First Pull Request

The reasons behind that first pull request vary widely, but research points to intrinsic motivations—those deeply personal satisfactions and joys that keep developers hooked.

Fun and Enjoyment: A staggering 91% of contributors say fun is their biggest motivator. It’s not just about fixing bugs; it's about the thrill of problem-solving. One Redditor put it perfectly: “I do it for the dopamine hit of figuring out bugs in systems I’ve never worked before. Even better if it’s a big, old bug. Then I get to play code archeologist.”

Altruism and Helping Others: About 85% of contributors feel a desire to help others. Many start by improving the tools they personally use, contributing as a way to give back to the community. As one developer shared: “I like to contribute to projects that I use, either to improve the tool in a way that serves me or to give back.”

Kinship and Sense of Community: Social connections also play a major role. Around 80% of contributors find motivation through the relationships they build within the community. Collaborating with like-minded people creates a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back. “Helping others and fostering connections are now ranked higher motivators than they were in the early 2000s.”

Why People Stay: The Evolution of Motivation

As contributors continue their journey, their motivations evolve. The initial excitement of solving problems gives way to deeper reasons for sticking around.

Intrinsic Enjoyment: The enjoyment of contributing doesn’t fade with time. In fact, many contributors find that the process becomes even more satisfying as they gain experience. One developer shared: “I began contributing to a major project, and it’s some of the most interesting and fun ‘work’ I’ve done in a long time.”

Sense of Accomplishment and Learning: Contributing provides a tangible sense of achievement, coupled with the opportunity to learn new skills. As one developer put it: “It feels nice knowing that your work is helping other engineers build cool stuff.”

Social Connections: Over time, the relationships formed in the open-source community deepen and become an even more significant reason to stay engaged. Whether it’s collaborating on projects or simply being part of a network, these connections keep contributors motivated.

The Shift from External Motivations to Intrinsic Rewards

As contributors gain more experience, their motivations tend to shift. What starts as a drive for career growth or learning opportunities often evolves into a desire for intrinsic rewards.

New Contributors: Often, newcomers are driven by career goals, learning opportunities, or personal interests, but long-term contributors increasingly prioritize intrinsic rewards like fun, altruism, and social connection.

Shift in Focus: Data shows that as contributors progress, their motivations evolve from external drivers (like career advancement) to more intrinsic reasons, with many citing altruism (+120%) and fun as their primary sources of motivation over time. New contributors, however, are more likely to be motivated by career growth (10x more likely) and learning (5.5x more likely) compared to experienced contributors.

Financial Compensation and Authority: External Factors in the Community

While intrinsic motivations are at the heart of open-source contributions, external factors like financial compensation and authority do play a role—though their influence is surprisingly minimal.

Authoritative Cultural Environments: Contributors from more hierarchical cultures often feel less of a sense of virtual community, underscoring the importance of fostering an environment where everyone feels equal and valued.

Financial Compensation: Surprisingly, money isn’t the driving force for most contributors. Less than 30% of open-source contributors are primarily motivated by financial incentives. For most, the joy of contributing, whether through learning, helping others, or personal satisfaction, far outweighs any monetary reward. 

Reputation and Career Growth: Building a reputation and advancing in their career are important to many contributors. Around 68% are motivated by boosting their professional reputation, and 67% see open-source involvement as a way to grow in their careers.

Conclusion: Why People Contribute and Stay

Open-source contributions are driven by a mix of intrinsic motivations and social connections. While contributors might initially join for career growth or personal satisfaction, they tend to stay because of the fulfilment they get from solving problems, the relationships they form, and the sense of accomplishment they feel.

People come for different reasons, but they stay because of the joy they find in the work, the meaningful connections they create, and the community they help build. By understanding these motivations, we can cultivate open-source projects that not only attract new contributors but also keep them engaged for the long haul.

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