> Any chance they recently changed status, and it's just not showing up yet?

The Rebble Foundation incorporated in 2023, so I don't think so.

I agree it's strange. The advantages of being a 501c3 in the US are immense, and if you meet the criteria, it is not difficult to become one. Essentially every organization larger than 6 people in the US that could be a 501c3, is one, for this reason.

So if they aren't, I assume it's because they can't be. Which makes me wonder why.

Just FYI. 501(c)(3) is not the only federal nonprofit designation.

I have dealt with 501(c)(7) (basically a club), and I suspect there are others.

There are a lot, but most of them are extremely narrowly defined. There are not many into which Rebble could fit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)_organization#Types

Rust Foundation is pretty reputable and is a 501c6 and they say they're a non profit

Sure, Rust Foundation fits the criteria of a 501c6. It is not itself a commercial enterprise, but is an advocacy body for the Rust language and its users.

Rebble is not that. One of the key defining features of a 501c6 is that it exists to support other businesses that are associated, like a Chamber of Commerce. If Rebble did this then this whole issue we're commenting on the thread for wouldn't be an issue.

Also well funded. They would struggle to raise as much in terms of contributions IMO if not providing tax relief status to their contributors.