themsupports

Themsupports is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing resources and community support for the development, maintenance, and accessibility of digital themes across platforms. It operates as a volunteer-driven network that curates documentation, templates, and mentorship for designers, developers, and educators.

The organization was founded in 2012 by a coalition of software developers, librarians, and educators who sought to consolidate best practices for theme creation. It established a formal nonprofit status in 2014 and later expanded to offer online courses, open-source components, and a global volunteer program.

Activities include maintaining an online knowledge base with guides on color contrast, typography, responsive design, and internationalization; distributing starter templates and reusable components for theme development; and running a mentorship program that pairs newcomers with experienced practitioners. Themsupports also organizes annual meetups and virtual events to share knowledge and coordinate community efforts.

Governance and funding are provided by a board of directors and an advisory council drawn from academia, industry, and civil society. The organization relies on donations, sponsorships, and program grants, with most day-to-day activities carried out by volunteers and supported by partner institutions.

Impact and reception have grown in open-source and educational contexts as a resource for accessible, standards-aligned theming. While some critiques address the challenge of scaling impact and ensuring sustainable funding, Themsupports has maintained a steady network of contributors and institutional partnerships.

See also: theming, theme development, open-source communities.