The PHP ecosystem has always thrived on open source collaboration. From frameworks and libraries to tools and platforms, the success of PHP is directly tied to the passion and dedication of its community. In 2025, new initiatives and sponsorships are shaping the way PHP grows, ensuring the language remains relevant, modern, and community-driven.
Why Open Source Matters in PHP
PHP powers millions of websites and applications worldwide. Behind every release, testing tool, or framework, there are dedicated contributors who spend countless hours building and maintaining software. Supporting these individuals and projects not only strengthens PHP but also guarantees that developers everywhere have access to better, safer, and more reliable tools.
A Structured Approach to Sponsorships
In 2025, companies and organizations like JetBrains are adopting a more structured approach to funding PHP open source. Instead of random one-off sponsorships, the new model is designed to support around five projects or maintainers every year, ensuring that the financial help rotates and benefits a wider range of contributors.
This year’s list of sponsored contributors and projects includes:
- Saif Eddin Gmati — Developing Mago, a modern PHP linter and static analyzer built in Rust.
- Markus Staab — Known for his significant contributions to PHPStan, Rector, PHPUnit, and other tools that every PHP developer relies on.
- Kyrian Obikwelu — Experimenting with AI integrations and Model Context Protocol (MCP) possibilities within PHP.
- Sjon Hortensius — The mind behind 3v4l.org, the popular online PHP sandbox used by developers worldwide.
There’s still one open sponsorship slot, leaving room for further community input and nominations.
Transitioning from Old Sponsorships
To diversify funding, two long-running sponsorships were concluded:
- Derick Rethans for Xdebug
- Juliette Reinders Folmer for PHP_CodeSniffer
This doesn’t diminish the importance of these projects. Instead, it reflects a belief that spreading support helps the PHP ecosystem grow stronger by encouraging more innovation across the board.
The Role of the PHP Foundation
The PHP Foundation continues to be a vital backbone for the language, funding critical work on the PHP core and ensuring the language remains robust. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to support the foundation, whether financially or by contributing time and expertise.
Looking Ahead
The PHP community is entering a new era where sustainability and structured support are becoming priorities. With initiatives like rotating sponsorships, dedicated foundations, and community-driven events, PHP is not just surviving in 2025—it’s evolving.
Open source is about collaboration, contribution, and community spirit. If you’re a PHP developer, consider supporting open source in any way you can: writing documentation, fixing bugs, testing releases, or sponsoring projects. Every action helps keep PHP strong for the next generation of developers.
Final Thoughts
The future of PHP lies in its people—the maintainers, contributors, and passionate developers who drive it forward. With more organized sponsorships and stronger community ties, PHP is set to remain a cornerstone of web development well into the future.