Sponsors FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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As the Sponsors program grows and becomes available in more regions, we've listened to your feedback and heard you loud and clear. We are thrilled to provide answers to some of your most asked questions in one place. Also, making it easier to search the docs with quick links for any additional information.

If you don’t see your question, need a little extra guidance, or want to share any feedback please feel free to post it in the community. We'll be keeping this FAQ up-to-date with the latest changes and updates that will be helpful in the near future.

Please make sure not to include any personal identifying information when requesting assistance. (Examples: postal addresses and bank account information)

So, bookmark the FAQ, check back often, and rest assured knowing that you'll always be equipped with the latest information to help you along your developer journey.

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• Who is eligible to create a Sponsors profile?
• Can I sponsor an account?
• Why am I on the waitlist?
• Why haven’t I received my payout?
• When does GitHub issue monthly payouts?
• How long after I submit my application will it be reviewed?
• Why do I have to go through the approval process for my Sponsors profile if I already have a GitHub profile?
• Do I have to complete my listing description?
• How do I switch to invoiced payments?
• I want to get a refund for my sponsorship, what do I do?
• Why was my Sponsors account banned from the program?
• How do I request an account reinstatement?
• I couldn’t find the answer I was looking for

Who is eligible to create a Sponsors profile?

An individual aged 13+ who contributes to an open source project and lives in a supported region is eligible to become a sponsored developer.

For more information on joining Sponsors, please visit here

Can I sponsor an account?

Anyone can sponsor accounts on behalf of their own personal account. Organization owners and billing managers can sponsor accounts on behalf of their organization.

For more information visit here

Why am I on the waitlist?

You don’t live in a supported region for the Sponsors program. We are available wherever Stripe is supported. You have the option of using a fiscal host to receive sponsorships until your region becomes available.

Please visit here for an up to date country and region list.
Please visit here for more information on how to become fiscally hosted.

Why haven’t I received my payout?

For first payments, GitHub will remit to you all Sponsored Developer Payments 60 days after the first sponsorship is initiated, subject to the variables below. This probation period is applied to all Sponsored Developer Accounts and helps insure the integrity of the program. Payments thereafter will be remitted within 30 days of the close of that month, in accordance with this section.

For more information on payouts, please visit here

When does GitHub issue monthly payouts?

If you are paid through Stripe Connect, you will receive payouts on the 22nd of the month for the balance accrued since the last payout, regardless of the amount of the balance. Payout initiation dates vary by country, and can change from month to month due to public holidays, weekends, and other factors. When the payout is a cross-border payout, a minimum payout amount may apply. For more information, see Receiving payouts in the Stripe documentation.

To note, payouts may take up to 5 business days to be available/visible in your Stripe account due to processing times.

How long after I submit my application will it be reviewed?

Applications are generally processed within 6-8 days (excluding holidays & weekends) but may take longer in peak periods such as new country rollouts.

Please note, our Support team is unable to expedite the review process, so opening a support ticket will not decrease the review time.

Why do I have to go through the approval process for my Sponsors profile if I already have a GitHub profile?

We want to make it as simple as possible for developers anywhere to easily apply and go through the GitHub Sponsors account creation process, while also keeping our commitment to safeguard our partners and ourselves from bad actors who make our mission difficult.

Do I have to complete my listing description?

A complete listing description is not a requirement before submitting your profile for approval but it does speed up the process. A detailed description also gives your funders more insight into your open source contributions.

How do I switch to invoiced payments?

As an organization, you can request invoices for projects you sponsor right from your account. Already being invoiced for your sponsorships? Top off your balance by requesting a new invoice from the invoice section of your sponsors dashboard.

Learn more about paying for GitHub Sponsors by invoice.

I want to get a refund for my sponsorship, what do I do?

In no event shall GitHub be responsible for providing any support for refunds, nor shall GitHub be liable for payment of any refund. We recommend contacting the maintainer to discuss terms and conditions, if any, for services rendered.

Why was my Sponsors account banned from the program?

Sometimes our system highlights accounts for additional review. Some examples of suspicious behavior include:
fraud, ransom, violations of intellectual property, or other illegal purposes;
misrepresentation or deception related to the reasons you're raising funds or requesting sponsorship

Read more on terms of service violations here

How do I request an account reinstatement?

If by any reason, your account was flagged or banned for suspicious activity. Please contact Support and open a support ticket for a review. You may be asked to provide supporting documentation to assist in the review process.

I couldn’t find the answer I was looking for

We continuously update these FAQs but if you are unable to find the answer to your question please raise a discussion on the GitHub Sponsors community and the Community team will be happy to assist 🌟

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