GitHub has announced the Secure Open Source Fund, a program aimed at enhancing the security and sustainability of open source projects by providing financial support and resources such as security education, mentorship, and tools like GitHub Copilot. With $1.25 million allocated to support 125 projects, the fund is backed by several major organizations, including Microsoft, American Express, and Shopify. The initiative addresses challenges faced by open source maintainers, who often struggle to prioritize security amidst other responsibilities. The program offers $10,000 per project, along with a three-week educational course and ongoing mentorship, to help maintainers improve their project's security posture. This effort is part of a broader strategy to foster a security-minded community and promote sustainable open source practices, with the ultimate goal of reducing security risks across the global software ecosystem. Through collaboration with entities like the Linux Foundation and Harvard's Laboratory for Innovation Science, GitHub aims to unlock more funding and resources to support the open source community, highlighting the importance of security in open source software development.