The GNOME Foundation has launched a new web site for the Friends of GNOME program, which allows users and community members to support the GNOME desktop environment by donating money.

Friends of GNOME has been around for a long time, but the new web site will make it more visible and could increase donations. Last year, financial contributions from GNOME friends helped fund GNOME's accessibility project and GTK+ hackfest.

The new web site introduces an Adopt a Hacker option, which allows donors to contribute $10 a month. Participants receive a set of GNOME stickers and a postcard from their favorite GNOME hacker. After a year of monthly donations, contributors will also get a GNOME t-shirt. The Friends of GNOME program also allows has options for making one-time donations with rewards ranging from a GNOME mousepad to a framed print of the GNOME logo signed by the organization's board of directors. Donations can be made with PayPal or sent by check.

"Friends of GNOME is a way for individuals to support the GNOME project's mission of providing a free and open source desktop for everyone regardless of ability," GNOME Foundation executive director Stormy Peters told us in an e-mail. "People have requested an easier, more consistent way to donate and we hope our $10/month program will fill that need. We will use the additional funds raised to continue to support our volunteer community in accomplishing our mission of a free and open source desktop."

The current economic conditions have compelled a lot of people to close their wallets and give less enthusiastically to non-profit organizations. Despite the rough economy, free culture causes seem to be doing well. Creative Commons met its $500,000 fundraising goal last month and Wikipedia collected $6 million despite growing skepticism about the organization's spending habits. GNOME might see similar success with its new Adopt a Hacker initiative.