Linux Foundation plans React Foundation launch with Meta donation
The Linux Foundation announced on October 7, 2025, its intent to launch the React Foundation to steward React and React Native. Meta will donate the popular JavaScript libraries to the new organization, which will be supported by founding members including Amazon, Microsoft, and Vercel. This move aims to ensure the technologies remain open and community-led.
At React Conf on October 7, 2025, in Henderson, Nevada, the Linux Foundation revealed plans to establish the React Foundation. This nonprofit initiative will serve as a neutral home for React, a JavaScript library for building user interfaces originally contributed by Meta 12 years ago, and React Native, its extension for cross-platform mobile apps. React powers nearly 55 million websites and is used by over 20 million developers across mobile, desktop, TVs, gaming consoles, and VR headsets, with React Native downloaded over 4 million times weekly.
Founding members include Amazon, Callstack, Expo, Meta, Microsoft, Software Mansion, and Vercel. Seth Webster, currently Head of React at Meta, will act as the foundation's executive director. The organization will handle governance, core infrastructure, events like React Conf, and new programs to foster global community collaboration.
Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, stated, "The move to a neutral home is the natural next step in the evolution of this important open source technology to ensure React and React Native remain open, innovative and community led." Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, Meta's CTO and Head of Reality Labs, added, "We open sourced React 12 years ago and since then the community has made it an essential part of how our industry ships better products. Today React is used by over 20 million developers... I'm excited to keep supporting the React community."
Supporting quotes highlighted enthusiasm from partners. Tapas Roy of Amazon noted React's role in scaling devices from Fire TV Stick to AI-enabled ones. Mike Grabowski of Callstack emphasized long-term open governance. Charlie Cheever of Expo praised React's composable components. Ales Holecek of Microsoft underscored its use in products for millions. Magdalena Retman-Rakoczy of Software Mansion celebrated React Native's growth. Tom Occhino of Vercel acknowledged its industry influence.
This development marks a milestone for open source front-end development, promoting sustained innovation without corporate dominance.