public-benefit open-source foundation

Blender Foundation

A public-benefit open-source foundation behind Blender, supporting a complete free 3D creation pipeline and creator infrastructure. Blender Foundation scores well because the model leaves more value with stakeholders and ownership is comparatively aligned, and no current penalty outweighs that structure.

Why this matters: Blender is a real consumer and professional alternative to locked-down creative software suites.

Letter grade A Good Medium confidence (AI) Rubric gcd-rubric-v1 Last reviewed May 6, 2026

Final Score 58* A - Good

AGOOD58 pts

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

Base Material52

Bonus+6

Cap66No structure cap

After Cap58

Penalties0

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Evaluation Overview

A - Good

The score turns mainly on Extraction; no penalty currently dominates the evaluation.

Strengths

Extraction9/10
Ownership7/10
Governance6/10

Penalties

No penalties applied in this version.

Evidence state

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)
ThoroughnessPartial (AI)
Linked claims5
Direct axis claims5
Coverage5/12

Scoring Axes

Axis	Score	Why this score
Ownership ? Control rights: shareholder-dominated at 0, worker cooperative control at 10.	7 / 10	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation in the middle of Ownership: there is some mission, member, producer, or public-interest constraint, but decisive control is not fully democratic. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 146 scored entries below, 21 tied, 59 above on Ownership. Linked evidence Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1]
Governance ? Binding decision authority: centralized control at 0, democratic stakeholder control at 10.	6 / 10	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation in the middle of Governance: there are accountability mechanisms, but they stop short of broad democratic control. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 148 scored entries below, 14 tied, 64 above on Governance. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Extraction ? Surplus allocation, wage share, CEO pay ratio, margins, and structured extraction judgment.	9 / 10	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation high on Extraction: surplus is structurally routed toward workers, producers, users, or public benefit instead of being primarily captured upward. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 208 scored entries below, 18 tied, 0 above on Extraction. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Labor Sovereignty ? Worker power: coercive conditions at 0, co-determination or ownership at 7. Employee dissatisfaction matters only when source-backed evidence shows concrete limits on worker agency, such as coercive scheduling, retaliation, wage theft, harassment, unsafe conditions, suppression of worker voice, or extreme turnover.	5 / 7	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation in the middle of Labor Sovereignty: workers or participants have some protection or agency, but not enough binding power to control the relationship. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 152 scored entries below, 40 tied, 34 above on Labor Sovereignty. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Solidarity with the Unemployed ? Treatment of exits and nonworkers, including severance, redeployment, and non-competes.	4 / 7	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation in the middle of Solidarity with the Unemployed: some access, severance, retraining, openness, or mutual-aid value is present, but it is not central or durable. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 127 scored entries below, 30 tied, 69 above on Solidarity with the Unemployed. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Loss-Bearing Fidelity ? Willingness to absorb costs to preserve values, workers, users, and public obligations.	6 / 7	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation high on Loss-Bearing Fidelity: the institution is structured to absorb real costs rather than shifting losses onto weaker parties. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 163 scored entries below, 54 tied, 9 above on Loss-Bearing Fidelity. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Market Conduct ? Pricing fairness, switching costs, lock-in, and rent extraction.	5 / 5	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation high on Market Conduct: pricing, access, switching, and bargaining practices show restraint compared with ordinary rent-seeking competitors. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 180 scored entries below, 46 tied, 0 above on Market Conduct. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Product Integrity ? Preservation of quality rather than degradation for monetization.	5 / 5	Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. That places Blender Foundation high on Product Integrity: the core offering is genuinely useful and comparatively less dependent on traps, degradation, or harmful dependencies. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 134 scored entries below, 92 tied, 0 above on Product Integrity. Linked evidence Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]
Scale Integrity ? Whether growth improves or degrades fairness and accountability.	5 / 5	The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. The linked record identifies Blender Foundation as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. That places Blender Foundation high on Scale Integrity: growth appears compatible with accountability, quality, and stakeholder benefit. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 191 scored entries below, 35 tied, 0 above on Scale Integrity. Linked evidence context Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline. [1] context Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [2]

Penalties

No penalties applied in this version.

Bonus Credits

Bonus	Credit	Why this credit
Openness to Dissent ? Credit for tolerating internal, user, customer, worker, and public dissent without retaliation, capture, or viewpoint laundering.	2 / 3	Blender Foundation says Blender code is public under the GNU GPL and that development work is managed through open channels on blender.org. Blender Foundation says Blender code is public under the GNU GPL and that development work is managed through open channels on blender.org. That supports partial Openness to Dissent credit because people can criticize, dissent, or challenge the institution without being managed into silence. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 200 scored entries below, 15 tied, 11 above on Openness to Dissent. Linked evidence Blender Foundation says Blender code is public under the GNU GPL and that development work is managed through open channels on blender.org. [3]
Constitutional Spirit ? Credit for respecting constitutional rights and civil-liberties norms even where private law does not strictly require it.	1 / 3	Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, supporting user freedom to inspect, modify, and share software. Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, supporting user freedom to inspect, modify, and share software. That supports partial Constitutional Spirit credit because the institution respects speech, privacy, due process, conscience, or civil-liberties norms beyond bare legal compulsion. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 182 scored entries below, 5 tied, 39 above on Constitutional Spirit. Linked evidence Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, supporting user freedom to inspect, modify, and share software. [4]
Good Deal ? Credit for unusually fair value: durable quality, fair pricing, low lock-in, and clear customer surplus.	3 / 3	Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, creating unusually high creator value without proprietary license fees. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 200 scored entries below, 26 tied, 0 above on Good Deal. Linked evidence Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, creating unusually high creator value without proprietary license fees. [5]

Confidence Basis

Confidence is computed from the evidence trail and review state, not typed into the profile by hand.

Medium 67/100

5 verified linked claims 5 direct axis claims 0 disputed claims 5/12 components covered

This confidence label measures the source-backed evidence trail. AI-scaffolded scores remain tentative until human review.

Claim confidence 17/20

5 verified linked claims

Source quality 10/18

Best source per verified claim, weighted by institutional reliability

Direct axis-specific claims 6/18

5 direct claims across 12 active components

Dispute load 12/12

0 disputed claims on this entity

Recency 10/10

Newest accepted timestamp: May 13, 2026

Reviewer status 7/12

Human-reviewed components score higher than AI scaffolding

Component coverage 4/10

5/12 evidence-bearing components have direct support

Evidence State

Profile stateAI draft / human-pending

VerificationUnverified

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)

ThoroughnessPartial (AI)

Correction routeUse “Challenge this rating” for factual errors, missing counterevidence, source problems, or calculation mistakes.

Company responseCompany representatives can submit source-backed corrections; payment never changes scores or reviewer authority.

Claims and Sources

Claims are the evidence record. Each claim needs a source link, axis category, status, confidence level, and timestamp before it can support a score.

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

1Blender Foundation describes itself as an independent public-benefit organization providing a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline.

Ownership Verified High confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 6, 2026

AI scaffold

Blender FoundationGeneral web source · 58%

2Blender Foundation says Blender code is publicly accessible under the GNU GPL and that work is managed through open channels on blender.org.

Product Integrity Verified High confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 6, 2026

AI scaffold

Blender FoundationGeneral web source · 58%

3Blender Foundation says Blender code is public under the GNU GPL and that development work is managed through open channels on blender.org.

Openness To Dissent Verified Medium confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

Blender FoundationGeneral web source · 58%

4Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, supporting user freedom to inspect, modify, and share software.

Constitutional Spirit Verified Medium confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

Blender FoundationGeneral web source · 58%

5Blender Foundation provides a complete free and open-source 3D creation pipeline, creating unusually high creator value without proprietary license fees.

Good Deal Verified High confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

Blender FoundationGeneral web source · 58%

Alternatives

Competitors

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How This Page Is Maintained

Evidence comes in through contributors, is checked by verifiers, and is synthesized by reviewers. Founder authority remains narrow and visible; scores recalculate when verified claims or the rubric change.

Civic Note

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Audit Log

Recent public changes for this company or group. The full audit log is part of the Transparency record.

May 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC ai-scaffolding

Added source-backed tentative evaluation during the A-grade/public-interest and nonobvious extraction expansion pass.

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