Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)

CNCF describes itself as the open source, vendor-neutral hub of cloud native computing, and it operates as part of the Linux Foundation, a nonprofit. Its stated mission is to make cloud native computing ubiquitous, which it pursues by supporting open source communities and ecosystems. CNCF hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure and brings together developers, end users and vendors. It also runs open source developer conferences, including KubeCon + CloudNativeCon.

• Part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation
• Mission: make cloud native computing ubiquitous
• Vendor-neutral hub for cloud native projects
• Brings together developers, end users and vendors

CNCF provides support, oversight and direction for fast-growing cloud native projects, among them Kubernetes, Envoy and Prometheus, which it describes as the foundation of cloud and AI native computing. Projects are organised into maturity levels of graduated, incubating and sandbox. The CNCF website reports 230 projects in total, comprising 39 graduated, 38 incubating and 154 sandbox projects. Organisations interested in donating a project to CNCF are directed to information on GitHub.

• Kubernetes, Envoy and Prometheus among hosted projects
• 39 graduated projects
• 38 incubating projects
• 154 sandbox projects
• 230 projects in total

CNCF reports a global community spanning 193 countries, with 336,000 contributors and 22.6 million contributions recorded on its homepage. It welcomes both code and non-code contributions through working groups, mentorship programmes and project communities, and points newcomers to its Contributor Guide. The foundation states that it supports ambassadors, maintainers and first-time contributors alike under the banner #TeamCloudNative. End users of cloud native technologies are invited to join the community and collaborate with peers and project maintainers.

• 336K contributors
• 22.6M contributions
• 193 countries represented
• Code and non-code contributions accepted

CNCF reports more than 700 members building and selling cloud native technology. Silver Membership is open to startups, scale-ups, academic institutions, nonprofits and established technology companies, and bundles training discounts, landscape and website logo placement, blog and online programme slots, and event discounts. Membership contacts are divided into representative/voting, billing, marketing and technical roles, with the technical contact invited to the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) mailing list. A Membership Hub collects member programmes and benefits, and a Membership FAQ and Member Desk handle queries.

• More than 700 members
• Silver Membership for startups, nonprofits and academic institutions
• Ten LF Education coupons for 50% off training or certification exams
• Logo placement on the CNCF website and Interactive Landscape
• Contact roles: representative/voting, billing, marketing, technical
• Eligibility to host local Kubernetes Community Days

CNCF offers certifications covering Kubernetes and the wider cloud native ecosystem. The Cilium Certified Associate (CCA) is an entry-level exam for platform or cloud engineers interested in networking, security and observability, built in collaboration with Isovalent and costing $250 for the online exam. The Kubestronaut programme recognises individuals who have passed all CNCF Kubernetes certifications — currently CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA and KCSA — while Golden Kubestronauts have passed every CNCF certification plus LFCS. CNCF also operates the Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP) and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Training Partner routes for organisations.

• Cilium Certified Associate (CCA), $250 online exam
• Kubestronaut: CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA and KCSA passed
• Golden Kubestronaut: all CNCF certifications plus LFCS
• Kubestronaut benefits include a jacket, Credly badge and certification coupons
• KCSP and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Training Partner programmes

Beyond membership, CNCF runs programmes aimed at specific groups in the ecosystem. The End User Contributor Program recognises end user organisations that have made at least one significant contribution to the CNCF ecosystem in the previous 18 months, granting access to end user-only events at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, private forums and eligibility for the End User Technical Advisory Board. The Ambassador Program is open to those with a track record of impactful contributions to the cloud native community. The Video Spotlight programme lets Silver and above members submit short videos — no more than two minutes — about their cloud native use cases, at one video per quarter.

• End User Contributor Program, 18-month contribution window
• End User Technical Advisory Board (TAB) eligibility
• Cloud Native Ambassador Program
• Mentorship programmes
• Video Spotlight for Silver and above members, one video per quarter

CNCF's governance bodies include the Governing Board, the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) and the Code of Conduct Committee, alongside Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) that scale contributions from the technical and user community. The TOC holds public meetings and maintains a mailing list open to members. On 26 September 2024 the Governing Board adopted a policy regarding political neutrality, under which CNCF will not make political statements, support political causes or take other political actions except where directly related to its mission. The policy states that diversity and inclusion work aligns with CNCF values and supports its chartered mission.

• Governing Board
• Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) with public meetings
• Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs)
• Code of Conduct Committee
• Political neutrality policy adopted 26 September 2024

Members with questions about their membership are directed to the Member Help Desk, and new membership points of contact can email support@cncf.io to arrange a welcome call. CNCF maintains mailing lists, newsletters and a Slack workspace, with Slack access available by requesting an invitation. The foundation is present on Twitter/X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, GitHub and YouTube. Alongside the flagship cncf.io site, CNCF operates further sites and resources, including the CNCF Landscape, the Cloud Native Glossary and a community events platform.

• Support email: support@cncf.io
• Member Help Desk for membership queries
• Slack workspace by invitation
• Mailing lists and newsletters
• Social channels: Twitter/X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, GitHub, YouTube