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Calyx Institute
Privacy By Design For Everyone
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WELCOME TO THE CALYX INSTITUTE

Our mission is to educate the public about privacy in digital communications and
to develop tools that anyone can use. By embracing "privacy by design," we help
make digital security and privacy more accessible to everyone.


MOBILE INTERNET

With an Internet Membership, enjoy truly unlimited internet connectivity via a
mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

Read More • Join Now




CALYXOS

With a CalyxOS Membership, get a new Pixel phone with CalyxOS, the OS focused on
usable security and privacy.

Read More • Join Now


Donate Now!
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CALYXOS PRIVACY CHAMPION MEMBERSHIP NOW INCLUDES PIXEL 7A PHONE

2024-06-11

Our CalyxOS Privacy Champion membership is back, now with the Pixel 7a as a
membership premium! CalyxOS phone memberships are a great way to invest in a
more private phone experience, as well as support our nonprofit mission to
develop and distribute free online privacy tools. Plus, they make great gifts!
You can learn more and sign up here



A new CalyxOS Privacy Champion membership that includes a Pixel 7a pre-flashed
with our CalyxOS privacy-focused operating system is $700 for the first year and
$10 to renew if you'd like to continue supporting our work maintaining and
improving CalyxOS.

CalyxOS offers a suite of features inspired by our core principles of Privacy By
Design, like encrypted backups, secure communications, control over when and how
your apps communicate, and more. These advances pair perfectly with the Pixel
7a's excellent technological capabilities, including Google's improved Tensor G2
chipset, which provides better performance and faster processing speeds compared
to the Tensor G1 chipset in the Pixel 6a. The 7a also features a dual rear
camera system, 8GB RAM, up to 90Hz Smooth Display, and wireless charging. You
can view more details here

Want to make your CalyxOS phone membership even better? Combine it with our
unlimited wifi hotspot membership! Our CalyxOS phone memberships do not come
with any wifi or data benefits included, and can be used with any phone or data
carrier.

Thank you for your membership and support,


The Calyx Institute


OUR CONTRIBUTOR PLUS MEMBERSHIP LEVEL IS BACK WITH THE JEXTREAM 5G HOTSPOT!

2024-03-12

We are excited to announce that Contributor Plus memberships will now come with
a brand new device: the Franklin JEXtream RG2100! This hotspot supports 5G
connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, USB tethering, 5x LTE Carrier Aggregation, and has an
internal 4x4 MIMO antenna. As with all Calyx Membership hotspots, wifi data is
unlimited and unthrottled.

Sign up for a new Contributor Plus membership to get a JEXtream 5G hotspot + a
year of unlimited data. A new Contributor Plus membership is $600 for the first
year, and renewal dues are $500/year or $175/quarter.

If you are in the middle of your membership period, you also have the option to
order the JEXtream as a replacement device for a $250 donation. Just log in to
your account with us, click Devices, and then click Order Replacement Device.



Before you decide if a Contributor Plus membership is right for you, check your
area on T Mobile’s map to make sure you have adequate 5G coverage. As with all
our memberships, the Calyx Institute cannot offer test hotspots or offer refunds
if service is inadequate or non-existent. Our wireless hotspots and data plans
are offered as a thank you gift to member donors who support our research into
privacy protecting communications technology, and are not a commercial
transaction.

You can read more about the JEXtream 5G hotspot here. If there are any other
questions we can answer for you about our memberships or the hotspots we offer
as membership premiums, please let us know at help@calyxinstitute.org.

CALYX MOBILE HOTSPOTS AND RV LIVING ARE A PERFECT MATCH

2024-02-16
Living in an RV offers unparalleled freedom and adventure, but staying connected
on the road can be a challenge. In the digital age, where connectivity is key,
mobile hotspots are a game-changing solution for RV dwellers. These portable
devices give nomads the ability to stay connected, work remotely, and enjoy the
conveniences of modern life, while also embracing their wanderlust.

Off the Beaten Path
RV living is all about exploring new destinations, not knowing where you might
be tomorrow. Mobile hotspots liberate nomads from the constraints of traditional
connectivity options. Unlike fixed internet installations, which are limited to
specific locations, mobile hotspots leverage cellular networks, so wherever
there is cell service, a hotspot user has full internet access. Calyx's hotspots
connect to T-Mobile's US network. Anyone with a Calyx hotspot can stay connected
to friends, family, work and school on the go anywhere that T-Mobile's cell
network covers. Check out T-Mobile's coverage map here:
https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map.

Uninterrupted Remote Work
Many RVers work remotely. The best and easiest way to telecommute is by using a
hotspot that maintains a reliable internet connection. Mobile hotspots offer
consistent internet, allowing RV dwellers to work from home, wherever home
happens to be that day. Whether you're a freelancer or remote employee, a Calyx
mobile hotspot ensures you can do everything you would do if you were in the
office: write, research, communicate, attend meetings, collaborate with
colleagues, and meet deadlines.

Low-Maintenance Connectivity
Setting up a fixed internet connection in every new location you choose to stop
for a day or two is complicated, not to mention expensive and time-consuming.
Mobile hotspots such as the ones Calyx offers its members eliminate the need for
multiple subscriptions and installations, providing a hassle-free solution for
those who prefer a simpler approach.

Entertainment on the Go
Living on the road doesn't mean sacrificing entertainment. Calyx hotspot
memberships allow RVers to stream their favorite shows, movies, games, and
music. Whether you're parked in a bustling city or nestled in a serene natural
setting, you can enjoy unwinding with your favorite media.

The freedom to explore without sacrificing connectivity, the ability to work
remotely, and the cost-effectiveness make mobile hotspots a must-have for modern
nomads. Embrace the digital age while enjoying the serenity of RV living – Calyx
hotspot memberships are the key to unlocking the full potential of life on the
open road.

Of course, it’s not surprising that we think Calyx hotspot memberships are a
great choice, but we’re thrilled that the Mobile Internet Resource Center has
included us as one of their Top Pick Plans within the Non-Profit tier.

Please check out their review of our Membership Program and see how we stack up
against other nonprofit wifi programs here.

Here's their overview of our Sustainer membership, featuring the Mifi X Pro
hotspot: Sustainer membership review

They have also done an overview of the Franklin T10 hotspot, currently available
with our Contributor membership: Franklin T10 hotspot review

JOIN US IN MAKING A LASTING IMPACT: LAUNCH OF OUR $25K YEAR-END GIVING CAMPAIGN

2023-12-15



UPDATE: Happy New Year!

As we welcome the new year, we're thrilled to share some incredible news that is
a testament to the generosity and commitment of all our members.

Thanks to your support, we have not only met but exceeded our year-end giving
goal for 2023. We'd hoped to raise $50,000 in December, to continue our work
providing digital privacy tools, services and advocacy for free to everyone
online. We actually surpassed that goal, and raised $84,830 in new memberships
and donations during our campaign! Everyone at the Calyx Institute is grateful
for your decision to stand with us. We wish you all a happy and healthy new
year.

Welcome our Year-End Giving Campaign! At this time of year-end reflection,
gratitude and generosity, we hope you will join us in protecting privacy and
free speech online. Together, we can make digital privacy more accessible for
everyone.

This campaign will help us continue funding some of the projects we're most
excited about, like providing meet.calyx.net, a free videoconferencing service
with no log-ins and no time limits; funding the Global Gathering's Equity Fund
to help break down financial barriers for digital rights activists from
marginalized communities; and developing CalyxOS as a privacy-focused smartphone
operating system for anyone who wants to enjoy their phone AND their privacy
too.

How can you help?

Become a Member: Signing up for a Calyx Institute membership is the best way
that you can support our work and enjoy the benefits of being part of our
mission! Become a member by clicking here and we'll send you a gift to thank you
for your vital ongoing support.

Donate: Your financial support is crucial to the success of our mission. Every
contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to reaching our
goal.

See if your employer offers a donation match: You can double the impact of your
gift instantly if your employer matches your donation. Check to see if your
employer participates in donation matching here.

Spread the Word: Share our campaign on social media, through email, or by word
of mouth. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to join us in making a
difference!

Your contribution will not only help us reach our fundraising goal but will also
create a ripple effect of positive change for privacy and free expression
online. Thank you for continuing to support us and believe in our mission!

SUSTAINER MEMBERSHIP

2023-09-08

UPDATE: Sustainer hotspot signups are open again, and we are fully stocked on
both Sustainer and Contributor level hotspots. The Contributor Plus level of
membership is not available for signup at this time while we evaluate a
potential new hotspot offering for that membership level. Thank you so much for
bearing with us!

Supply chain delays have slowed down our latest restock of Mifi X Pro hotspots,
so new membership sign-ups and replacement Mifi X Pro orders are temporarily
paused while we restock our supplies and fill current orders. We expect to have
these devices back in stock within the next few weeks, so please stay tuned for
updates. Thanks so much for bearing with us!

APPRECIATING GROWTH, EMBRACING CHANGE, AND MAXIMIZING OUR FUTURE

2023-05-02

When Nick Merrill founded The Calyx Institute 13 years ago in 2010, the privacy
landscape was very different. The iPhone was still a relative novelty, most of
the web was still not encrypted, Edward Snowden had not yet made his heroic
disclosures, and the scale of government and corporate surveillance was just a
fraction of today's ubiquitous information over-collection and exploitation.

From our shoestring budget beginnings, we've grown into a bustling non-profit
organization, with an incredible and committed team, advisory panel, partner
organizations, and a strong network of supporters. With our members' generous
support, we've developed new technologies, improved access to online privacy
tools, published and translated educational materials, trained journalists and
activists, while inspiring and continuing ongoing litigation in the fight for
privacy and against surveillance. In short, The Calyx Instituate has grown
steadily, and now enjoys strong revenue and a very sustainable program model as
our growth accelerates.

Our founding aim was to increase awareness about online privacy, surveillance
and accessibility through software development, advocacy and outreach. Looking
to the present day, it is striking to reflect on how that has manifested.
Through our mobile internet hotspots, we offer many of our over 11 thousand
active members a more privacy-respecting way to be online. CalyxOS provides
usable security and privacy without sacrificing essential mobile phone
functionality. Additionally, the sustainability these programs have enabled is
allowing us to experiment with programs like our Fusion Center Microgrants Fund

As we move into the next phase of the organization's growth, we are reimagining
how leadership can best support and enable Calyx's ultimate impact. As founding
Executive Director, Nick Merrill has provided vision, leadership, sacrifice, and
heavy lifting to put the organization, and our community, in such a strong
position.

In reflecting on how we can continue to grow, both Nick and the Calyx board are
in agreement that we need to expand and fortify our leadership structure. To
enable that growth, we plan to take an iterative approach to evolving Calyx.
Nick will be moving into a newly-created role of President, enabling him to
focus primarily on external advocacy, community engagement, creative vision,
technology and fundraising.

In parallel with this transition, The Calyx Institute will be seeking an
experienced Interim Executive Director to facilitate our next chapter and to
serve as a bridge to our future leadership structure. The Interim Executive
Director will have an active role in that planning process, and will have the
option of applying for the permanent Executive Director position.

To quote Nick, "My passion will always be focused on the community and the work,
and I'm looking forward to partnering with new team members to increase our
capacity and our impact."

At this critical juncture, we want to express our gratitude on a number of
fronts. First, to the Calyx staff, who have led brilliantly in their respective
roles while weathering complexity and stress that come with the kind of
organizational growth their work has enabled. We also want to thank our
community and our members, without whom none of this would be sustainable or
even possible. We are also indebted to the funders and major donors who have
provided us with dedicated resources at many steps in our journey. And finally a
heartfelt thank you to Nick, for his vision, his leadership, and his commitment
to evolving alongside the organization.

We are all excited to see what lies ahead, and we welcome anyone reading this to
join in collaboration and solidarity with Calyx as we help chart a course toward
a more private and surveillance-free future.

- The Calyx Board

MIFI X PRO 5G HOTSPOTS

2023-03-13

We are excited to announce that Sustainer memberships will now come with a brand
new device: the Inseego Mifi X PRO 5G (M3000B)! Like the Mifi M2000, this
hotspot supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Advanced Carrier Aggregation, USB
tethering, and has an internal 4x4 MIMO antenna. In addition, this new device
features a 1 Gbps ethernet port and a battery preservation mode that allows the
device to stay plugged in for longer. As with all Calyx Membership hotspots,
wifi data is unlimited and unthrottled.

Sign up for a new Sustainer membership to get a Mifi X Pro 5G hotspot + a year
of unlimited data. A new Sustainer membership is $750 for the first year and
$500 to renew every following year.

If you are in the middle of your membership period, you also have the option to
order the Mifi X Pro 5G as a replacement device for a $400 donation. Just log in
to your account with us, click Devices, and then click Order Replacement Device.

Before you decide if a Sustainer membership is right for you, check your area on
T Mobile’s map to make sure you have adequate 5G coverage. As with all our
memberships, the Calyx Institute cannot offer test hotspots or offer refunds if
service is inadequate or non-existent. Our wireless hotspots and data plans are
offered as a thank you gift to member donors who support our research into
privacy protecting communications technology, and are not a commercial
transaction.

You can read more about the Mifi X Pro 5G hotspot here. If there are any other
questions we can answer for you about our memberships or the hotspots we offer
as membership premiums, please let us know at help@calyxinstitute.org.

OPEN CALL: FUSION CENTER MICROGRANTS FUND

2023-02-03
The Calyx Institute is excited to announce an open call for applications for
grants up to $10,000 from our Fusion Center Microgrants Fund. Details can be
found here.

We are interested in supporting projects focused on a wide range of topics,
including but not limited to: the disproportionate impact of fusion center
surveillance; gang databases and other watchlists used by fusion centers; public
records focused research to illuminate fusion center policies and practices;
research on one specific fusion center or on fusion centers nationally; or other
ideas we haven't even considered yet. You and/or your colleagues are the experts
on this, so tell us what research needs doing!

The application deadline is March 17th, 2023. Please share with any colleagues
or allied organizations that might be interested. We are prioritizing
applications from smaller organizations that aren't receiving regular support
from traditional funders in this space. Fusion Centers do a lot, but this fund
is focused on online privacy and surveillance specifically.

Because our funding comes from our small donor members, we are not beholden to
the reporting requirements of a larger funder upstream for this fund. That means
that while there is paperwork and a final grant report required, we've tried
really hard to minimize the amount of time spent on administering the grant. A
list of previously funded projects is available here.
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