If you hadn't heard already, the Perl Foundation development grants for 2002, awarded to Larry Wall, Dan Sugalski, and Damian Conway have not been able to complete funding. The goal was to obtain $240,000, and the current total stands a little over half that amount.
Damian's grant ended at the end of June, and Dan's will end at the end of July. Neither will be extended. The plan for the remaining funds is to bring in a professional grant writer, and anything after that will be allocated to Larry, up to $40K. You can find some more information in Dan's use.perl journal entry for July 1, 2002.
Perl support starts at the grass roots. If you've benefited from Perl 1-5, and are looking forward to Perl 6, consider donating to the fund. (The list of donors is already knee-deep in monks. If you've contributed in the past, think about whether you could do it again.) Better still, if your employer1 has benefited from Perl, find out if they'd be willing to donate, or act as a sponsor.
"How do I contribute to Perl development?" is a common question in the Monastery. Here's one of the ways that's really needed right now!
1Presuming you have one. I know economic times are tough.