Why is that? Is there lessons to be learned from the Linux Foundation how to actually effectively and responsibly manage that sort of money, in those types of projects?
The Linux foundation also stewards way more foundations and projects that just "Linux". They are, among other things, in the business of creating foundations and making money that way. For every organization under the Linux foundation, say the CNCF, to be a part of those subprojects, you need to pay a Linux foundation tax.
The Python Software foundation I don't know much about but their scope seems to be only stewarding python. They seem to have far less corporate outreach then the Linux foundation.
Linux Foundation 990 - note page 16-17 with the salaries - there are for profit entity salaries, not nonprofit salaries.
https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/460503801_201812_990O...
> CPython core developer Paul Moore described his involvement in the
> packaging community and said: “it’s struggling under the weight of its own
> popularity … the individuals involved are doing their best under what are
> frankly near-impossible conditions.”
> Moore questioned whether the fact that so many businesses now depend on
> Python and PyPI meant that “maybe a purely volunteer basis simply can’t
> work any more,” though he hoped this is not the case.> The PSF would not be fulfilling their mission if they only funded packaging until packaging was "solved" (whatever that might mean) and only then did they fund outreach.
They did the opposite. So they still didn't fulfill it, to the extent that Mozilla, ChanZuck, and astral felt compelled to step in.