OpenStax is a non-profit project founded in 2012 at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Its goal is to provide quality educational materials to students and teachers for free, which is primarily accomplished through openly licensed textbooks. OpenStax is known for providing free textbooks for middle and college students that cover a wide range of subjects, from math and science to the humanities and social sciences.

Funding for OpenStax comes from several sources:

1. Foundations and grants – OpenStax has received funding from many major foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the 20 Million Minds Foundation. These foundations provide grants that help cover development and operating costs.

2. Partner schools and organizations – OpenStax works with various educational institutions that can contribute financially or
provide resources to develop and update materials.

3. Commercial products and services – Although the textbooks themselves are offered for free, OpenStax also offers additional paid services such as online homework and other educational tools that institutions can purchase to support instruction.

OpenStax is an example of how modern technology and open resources can transform education, reducing costs for students while providing high quality educational materials.