The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit associated with Firefox browser developer Mozilla, has laid off 30% of its workforce, citing a “relentless onslaught of change.”
Brandon Borrman, the foundation's communications chief, confirmed the layoffs in an email to TechCrunch. He explained that the reorganization aims to enhance the foundation’s agility and effectiveness by focusing on its core mission. “This unfortunately means ending some historical initiatives and eliminating related roles to streamline our focus,” Borrman stated.
The foundation’s tax filings for 2022 reported 60 employees, but sources indicate that the number had grown to around 120 by the time of the layoffs. Mozilla did not dispute this figure when approached by TechCrunch.
This marks the second round of layoffs at Mozilla this year, with the first affecting employees within the Mozilla Corporation, which develops Firefox. The broader Mozilla organization consists of multiple entities, including the Mozilla Corporation and the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, which governs its policies and promotes initiatives like privacy, inclusivity, and technology decentralization.
In an October 30 email to employees, executive director Nabiha Syed announced that two significant divisions—advocacy and global programs—would no longer be part of the foundation’s structure. Despite this, Borrman later clarified that advocacy would remain central to Mozilla’s mission and be integrated across its functional areas, though no details were provided.
Syed explained that these changes are part of a strategy to create a cohesive and impactful narrative for the foundation while refining its strategic communications. “Our mission has never been more critical,” Syed wrote, emphasizing the challenges posed by rapid technological changes and the need to prioritize people over profit.
Navigating this environment, Syed added, requires making difficult decisions, including letting go of successful past initiatives that no longer align with the foundation’s future goals. Syed, who joined Mozilla in February, previously served as CEO of investigative news outlet The Markup.
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