[OSGeo-Discuss] Working together on fundraising?
It's been an inspiring week to see others thinking about fundraising and I'd like to help encourage you to share your thoughts on the subject too. I believe we could really benefit from a concerted group effort on this if we want to continue to extend OSGeo's reach as an organisation. If there are a few more people interested in working together to brainstorm ideas or even pursue potential sponsors - please let me know. If there is interest and need, we could re-activate the the Fundraising mailing list: http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/fundraising/2007-October/000218.html and we could also start to update this page with our ideas: http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Fundraising For now I'm happy to have discussions on this list, so no one feels left out, but we could pick up where the last committee left off. Here are the four "traditional" opportunities where fundraising focus takes place - but I'm sure you can think of more creative ones too! * Foundation Sponsorship * Project sponsorship * FOSS4G conference sponsorship * General donations Other ideas out there: * Set up a certification or training program * Add a paid membership level * Run more events through OSGeo * Sell more merchandise *... what are your thoughts? See attached graph of survey results showing the top 6 selections the 160+ respondents provided. Interested in any of these? Have more ideas of your own? Let's start an informal group to work on the ideas. Even if you only have the occasional idea or tip, please don't hesitate. The previous committee helped assemble the basic Foundation and Project sponsorship ideas that we've had for the past 4 years, we can build on this and put some new strategic direction in place if there is interest. It's hard for anyone to consider fundraising on their own without support behind them for the initiative, so if you need to talk privately or have ideas you would like to discuss off-list, just let me know and I'll be glad to work with you on it. If there are a couple more people interested, then I could set up a skype voice meeting to kick around some more ideas - I just need to know who's interested. It certainly can be a lot of fun too - especially the brainstorming side, so don't let the financial aspect scare you off ;-) Tyler Phone: +1-250-303-1831 (Pacific timezone) Skype: spatialguru ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
[OSGeo-Discuss] Re: Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
have been repeatedly surprised at the lack of infrastructure. there is no lack of insfrastructures... the infrastructures are kept confidential and private == Brian Hamlin GeoCal OSGeo California Chapter (415) 717-4462 cell ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 5:26 PM, Paul Ramsey wrote: > I've done collaborative funding projects by hand a couple times (and > am doing one now: if you are interested in faster PostGIS indexes and > have $5000+ to contribute, contact me) but have been repeatedly > surprised at the lack of infrastructure. Kickstarter is for artists. > I've seen some attempts at collaborative open source funding sites > come and go: are we all just too cheap for this to work? A web search revealed some sites that target that niche. Among them: http://nextsprocket.com/ http://www.fossfactory.org/browse.php But each has less than 50 open bounties: not very promising, IMO. I think the bounty system is sometimes perceived as discouraging to developers that do not participate in it. Camilo ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
I've seen (and contributed) to wiki software dev on kickstarter. It was however 1 big fund-raising drive, not a constant bounty system. Alex On 06/04/2011 02:26 PM, Paul Ramsey wrote: > I've done collaborative funding projects by hand a couple times (and > am doing one now: if you are interested in faster PostGIS indexes and > have $5000+ to contribute, contact me) but have been repeatedly > surprised at the lack of infrastructure. Kickstarter is for artists. > I've seen some attempts at collaborative open source funding sites > come and go: are we all just too cheap for this to work? > > P. > > On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 12:54 PM, Tyler Mitchell wrote: >> Great to see several conversations coming together and with some enthusiasm >> too! :) I'm very keen to work together with others on these ideas. I've >> also had quite a few discussions with people from the OSGeosphere I've met >> during meetings this week. I'll try to get some of my thoughts down in >> email by Monday too. >> >> Tyler >> >> On 2011-06-03, at 11:02 AM, Duarte Carreira wrote: >> >>> Well this is a coincidence! >>> >>> I also feel that some form of active pursue of funding has to happen. >>> Voluntary initiative to donate funds are a noble approach but one that >>> spurs little participation. >>> >>> It seems clear there is a dividing line where we start to give a negative >>> impression and that should be avoided at all costs. But a well written >>> letter directed/personalized to specific organizations that are known to be >>> big/strong adopters should be well received, and met with a significant >>> success rate. It's not a shakedown, it's a plea for help. >>> >>> This or any other variant for that matter. The key is doing active pursue >>> of funding. But this is not resonating as much as I thought it would... >>> >>> Duarte >>> >>> >>> -Mensagem original- >>> De: Eli Adam [mailto:ea...@co.lincoln.or.us] >>> Enviada: sexta-feira, 3 de Junho de 2011 17:41 >>> Para: OSGeo Discussions >>> Cc: Duarte Carreira >>> Assunto: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for >>> OSGeoprojects? >>> >>> Duarte, >>> >>> I agree with you and have similar ideas. I just recently sent an email >>> similar (cites National Public Radio and Wikipedia examples) to these ideas >>> to the Board. http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2011-June/003816.html >>> The premise of my idea is that there are numerous agencies and companies >>> that have employees with minor budgetary authority to spend ~$500 on >>> software and these individuals are often using OSGeo projects and getting >>> assistance using these OSGeo projects on the email lists and IRC. It makes >>> sense that these people might be involved in sponsorship. What do others >>> think? >>> >>> Although not heavily promoted, OSGeo and some projects can accept money >>> through OSGeo here, http://www.osgeo.org/sponsorship/opportunities Some >>> have $500 minimums. >>> >>> Here is the content of that email: >>> >>> Board, >>> >>> I started this email about six months ago and wanted to keep refining it >>> and adding bits, but, it seems to be the opportune time to send it since it >>> is a current topic for the Board (and it is already far too long - perhaps >>> I should have spend more time removing not adding). >>> >>> I have some ideas pertaining to fundraising that I did not find previously >>> discussed on the board or fundraising email lists. Searching the wiki and >>> board minutes didn't turn up this discussion either. Perhaps these ideas >>> have already been discussed and discarded in other venues. I think that >>> OSGEO projects could get substantial funds from many corporate and agency >>> users in $500-$2,000 increments on an annual basis. >>> >>> I am thinking of a fundraiser very similar to the National Public Radio >>> style in the States. That is that for one week instead of providing high >>> quality, commercial free, respected news and music, they focus at least 50% >>> of the time on fundraising. In addition to changing the focus to >>> fundraising they use all methods possible to fundraise. The methods seem >>> almost extreme. It verges on berating, guilt, coercion, and other less >>> dignified methods. Here are some clips that highlight some of these >>> methods although mixed with humor, http://www.vpr.net/episode/49677/ If >>> you have never listened to a NPR style fundraiser, I would suggest >>> listening to one (although I also suggest listening to the station for a >>> week without fundraiser to experience some of the more positive aspects of >>> NPR). There should be one on internet radio currently, perhaps someone can >>> send out a link when their local station is fundraising. In all the >>> fundraising the focus is that NPR provides unique, high quality, commercial free, respected news and music and that you, yes you, can help provide that unique, high quality, commercial f
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
I've done collaborative funding projects by hand a couple times (and am doing one now: if you are interested in faster PostGIS indexes and have $5000+ to contribute, contact me) but have been repeatedly surprised at the lack of infrastructure. Kickstarter is for artists. I've seen some attempts at collaborative open source funding sites come and go: are we all just too cheap for this to work? P. On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 12:54 PM, Tyler Mitchell wrote: > Great to see several conversations coming together and with some enthusiasm > too! :) I'm very keen to work together with others on these ideas. I've > also had quite a few discussions with people from the OSGeosphere I've met > during meetings this week. I'll try to get some of my thoughts down in email > by Monday too. > > Tyler > > On 2011-06-03, at 11:02 AM, Duarte Carreira wrote: > >> Well this is a coincidence! >> >> I also feel that some form of active pursue of funding has to happen. >> Voluntary initiative to donate funds are a noble approach but one that spurs >> little participation. >> >> It seems clear there is a dividing line where we start to give a negative >> impression and that should be avoided at all costs. But a well written >> letter directed/personalized to specific organizations that are known to be >> big/strong adopters should be well received, and met with a significant >> success rate. It's not a shakedown, it's a plea for help. >> >> This or any other variant for that matter. The key is doing active pursue of >> funding. But this is not resonating as much as I thought it would... >> >> Duarte >> >> >> -Mensagem original- >> De: Eli Adam [mailto:ea...@co.lincoln.or.us] >> Enviada: sexta-feira, 3 de Junho de 2011 17:41 >> Para: OSGeo Discussions >> Cc: Duarte Carreira >> Assunto: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for >> OSGeoprojects? >> >> Duarte, >> >> I agree with you and have similar ideas. I just recently sent an email >> similar (cites National Public Radio and Wikipedia examples) to these ideas >> to the Board. http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2011-June/003816.html >> The premise of my idea is that there are numerous agencies and companies >> that have employees with minor budgetary authority to spend ~$500 on >> software and these individuals are often using OSGeo projects and getting >> assistance using these OSGeo projects on the email lists and IRC. It makes >> sense that these people might be involved in sponsorship. What do others >> think? >> >> Although not heavily promoted, OSGeo and some projects can accept money >> through OSGeo here, http://www.osgeo.org/sponsorship/opportunities Some >> have $500 minimums. >> >> Here is the content of that email: >> >> Board, >> >> I started this email about six months ago and wanted to keep refining it and >> adding bits, but, it seems to be the opportune time to send it since it is a >> current topic for the Board (and it is already far too long - perhaps I >> should have spend more time removing not adding). >> >> I have some ideas pertaining to fundraising that I did not find previously >> discussed on the board or fundraising email lists. Searching the wiki and >> board minutes didn't turn up this discussion either. Perhaps these ideas >> have already been discussed and discarded in other venues. I think that >> OSGEO projects could get substantial funds from many corporate and agency >> users in $500-$2,000 increments on an annual basis. >> >> I am thinking of a fundraiser very similar to the National Public Radio >> style in the States. That is that for one week instead of providing high >> quality, commercial free, respected news and music, they focus at least 50% >> of the time on fundraising. In addition to changing the focus to >> fundraising they use all methods possible to fundraise. The methods seem >> almost extreme. It verges on berating, guilt, coercion, and other less >> dignified methods. Here are some clips that highlight some of these methods >> although mixed with humor, http://www.vpr.net/episode/49677/ If you have >> never listened to a NPR style fundraiser, I would suggest listening to one >> (although I also suggest listening to the station for a week without >> fundraiser to experience some of the more positive aspects of NPR). There >> should be one on internet radio currently, perhaps someone can send out a >> link when their local station is fundraising. In all the fundraising the >> focus is that NPR provides unique, high quality, commercial free, respected >> news and music and that you, yes you, can help provide that unique, high >> quality, commercial free, respected news and music that you and others value >> so much. This is impressed upon you in that familiar authoritative NPR >> voice which you have come to trust and respect over the years. >> >> NPR has the benefit that people listen to the radio for extended periods of
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
Great to see several conversations coming together and with some enthusiasm too! :) I'm very keen to work together with others on these ideas. I've also had quite a few discussions with people from the OSGeosphere I've met during meetings this week. I'll try to get some of my thoughts down in email by Monday too. Tyler On 2011-06-03, at 11:02 AM, Duarte Carreira wrote: > Well this is a coincidence! > > I also feel that some form of active pursue of funding has to happen. > Voluntary initiative to donate funds are a noble approach but one that spurs > little participation. > > It seems clear there is a dividing line where we start to give a negative > impression and that should be avoided at all costs. But a well written letter > directed/personalized to specific organizations that are known to be > big/strong adopters should be well received, and met with a significant > success rate. It's not a shakedown, it's a plea for help. > > This or any other variant for that matter. The key is doing active pursue of > funding. But this is not resonating as much as I thought it would... > > Duarte > > > -Mensagem original- > De: Eli Adam [mailto:ea...@co.lincoln.or.us] > Enviada: sexta-feira, 3 de Junho de 2011 17:41 > Para: OSGeo Discussions > Cc: Duarte Carreira > Assunto: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for > OSGeoprojects? > > Duarte, > > I agree with you and have similar ideas. I just recently sent an email > similar (cites National Public Radio and Wikipedia examples) to these ideas > to the Board. http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2011-June/003816.html > The premise of my idea is that there are numerous agencies and companies that > have employees with minor budgetary authority to spend ~$500 on software and > these individuals are often using OSGeo projects and getting assistance using > these OSGeo projects on the email lists and IRC. It makes sense that these > people might be involved in sponsorship. What do others think? > > Although not heavily promoted, OSGeo and some projects can accept money > through OSGeo here, http://www.osgeo.org/sponsorship/opportunities Some have > $500 minimums. > > Here is the content of that email: > > Board, > > I started this email about six months ago and wanted to keep refining it and > adding bits, but, it seems to be the opportune time to send it since it is a > current topic for the Board (and it is already far too long - perhaps I > should have spend more time removing not adding). > > I have some ideas pertaining to fundraising that I did not find previously > discussed on the board or fundraising email lists. Searching the wiki and > board minutes didn't turn up this discussion either. Perhaps these ideas > have already been discussed and discarded in other venues. I think that > OSGEO projects could get substantial funds from many corporate and agency > users in $500-$2,000 increments on an annual basis. > > I am thinking of a fundraiser very similar to the National Public Radio style > in the States. That is that for one week instead of providing high quality, > commercial free, respected news and music, they focus at least 50% of the > time on fundraising. In addition to changing the focus to fundraising they > use all methods possible to fundraise. The methods seem almost extreme. It > verges on berating, guilt, coercion, and other less dignified methods. Here > are some clips that highlight some of these methods although mixed with > humor, http://www.vpr.net/episode/49677/ If you have never listened to a NPR > style fundraiser, I would suggest listening to one (although I also suggest > listening to the station for a week without fundraiser to experience some of > the more positive aspects of NPR). There should be one on internet radio > currently, perhaps someone can send out a link when their local station is > fundraising. In all the fundraising the focus is that NPR provides unique, > high quality, commercial free, respected news and music and that you, yes > you, can help provide that unique, high quality, commercial free, respected > news and music that you and others value so much. This is impressed upon you > in that familiar authoritative NPR voice which you have come to trust and > respect over the years. > > NPR has the benefit that people listen to the radio for extended periods of > time at home, at work, and in the car going places. To adopt that approach > to OSGeo, would be project mailing lists, IRC channels, websites, and other > communication methods. From the mailing lists, it is clear that most users > regard OSGeo developers very highly. If these respected developers asked for > $500 support from users once a year, I think that many would respond. > Developers routinely add new formats, functions, fix bugs, answer 10 of > thousands of questions through email and IRC, and otherwise are very >
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
Hi, I totally share the vision of Robert and I think there are some web pages making this[1] a bit easier. I have no experience with them but I think the main idea is that they don't charge the user unless the critical amount is reached and, therefore, the project started. I think it may encourage people to fund. In [1], it seems projects has to be accepted, so having such a system dedicated for osgeo projects would make sense I guess. Please, don't take me too seriously, I'm just brainstorming... Regards. [1] I guess there are plenty of them, but the only one I know in english is http://www.kickstarter.com/ On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 6:28 PM, Robert Hollingsworth wrote: > > I've been discussing variations on an idea for a while with various people: > > Form pools of users around specific application functionality that the users > share > a need for. They team up with developers to collaboratively specify and > develop > software. The users in the pool contribute a fraction of the total cost of > the project. > > It's not a radically different model from what happens in open source > development all the time, but the user sees a more direct benefit resulting > from > their financial contribution: "I'm spending US$1000.00 as my share of > extending > so-and-so project with the such-and-such capability I need right now." This > seems like a stronger funding recruitment than "I'm contributing US$1000.00 to > project so-and-so, and I hope the such-and-such capability I need shows up > soon." And definitely more attractive than "I'm footing the entire cost of > US$22,000.00 to hire consultants to extend project so-and-so with the > such-and-such capability I need." > > From a developer's perspective, this also seems like a natural progression on > the > continuum that begins with the traditional closed-source, license-driven > "develop- > once-sell-many" model. From my own perspective, I'd certainly enjoy > repeatedly > being paid to create essentially the same $22,000.00 product for multiple > users, > but realize it's better to have them collectively pay me $22,000.00 ONCE for > something they all use, than to have NONE of them pay me anything because > they cannot afford to individually finance the entire project. > > Having said all that, I can think of many reasons why this type of funding > structure would be difficult to set up and maintain. I may elaborate on > these in a > followup message, but in the meantime I'd like to hear what others think about > this kind of approach. > > Robert H. > > *** TOTALLY IGNORE this test paragraph to see if my web mail editor > generates ridiculously long auto line wraps when I post to OSGeo mail lists, > which is what I think I have observed before when I don't manually insert > line breaks. If this does NOT generate a ridiculously long message which > requires horizontal scroll to be able to read each line, then I apologize for > this ridiculously long test paragraph! *** > > Duarte, > > I agree with you and have similar ideas. I just recently sent an email > similar (cites National Public Radio and Wikipedia examples) to these ideas > to the Board. http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2011-June/003816.html > The premise of my idea is that there are numerous agencies and companies that > have employees with minor budgetary authority to spend ~$500 on software and > these individuals are often using OSGeo projects and getting assistance using > these OSGeo projects on the email lists and IRC. It makes sense that these > people might be involved in sponsorship. What do others think? > > Although not heavily promoted, OSGeo and some projects can accept money > through OSGeo here, http://www.osgeo.org/sponsorship/opportunities Some have > $500 minimums. > > Here is the content of that email: > > Board, > > I started this email about six months ago and wanted to keep refining it and > adding bits, but, it seems to be the opportune time to send it since it is a > current topic for the Board (and it is already far too long - perhaps I > should have spend more time removing not adding). > > I have some ideas pertaining to fundraising that I did not find previously > discussed on the board or fundraising email lists. Searching the wiki and > board minutes didn't turn up this discussion either. Perhaps these ideas > have already been discussed and discarded in other venues. I think that > OSGEO projects could get substantial funds from many corporate and agency > users in $500-$2,000 increments on an annual basis. > > I am thinking of a fundraiser very similar to the National Public Radio style > in the States. That is that for one week instead of providing high quality, > commercial free, respected news and music, they focus at least 50% of the > time on fundraising. In addition to changing the focus to fundraising they > use all methods possible to fundraise. The methods seem almost extreme.
Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Are there proposed ways to raise funds for OSGeoprojects?
I've been discussing variations on an idea for a while with various people: Form pools of users around specific application functionality that the users share a need for. They team up with developers to collaboratively specify and develop software. The users in the pool contribute a fraction of the total cost of the project. It's not a radically different model from what happens in open source development all the time, but the user sees a more direct benefit resulting from their financial contribution: "I'm spending US$1000.00 as my share of extending so-and-so project with the such-and-such capability I need right now." This seems like a stronger funding recruitment than "I'm contributing US$1000.00 to project so-and-so, and I hope the such-and-such capability I need shows up soon." And definitely more attractive than "I'm footing the entire cost of US$22,000.00 to hire consultants to extend project so-and-so with the such-and-such capability I need." >From a developer's perspective, this also seems like a natural progression on >the continuum that begins with the traditional closed-source, license-driven "develop- once-sell-many" model. From my own perspective, I'd certainly enjoy repeatedly being paid to create essentially the same $22,000.00 product for multiple users, but realize it's better to have them collectively pay me $22,000.00 ONCE for something they all use, than to have NONE of them pay me anything because they cannot afford to individually finance the entire project. Having said all that, I can think of many reasons why this type of funding structure would be difficult to set up and maintain. I may elaborate on these in a followup message, but in the meantime I'd like to hear what others think about this kind of approach. Robert H. *** TOTALLY IGNORE this test paragraph to see if my web mail editor generates ridiculously long auto line wraps when I post to OSGeo mail lists, which is what I think I have observed before when I don't manually insert line breaks. If this does NOT generate a ridiculously long message which requires horizontal scroll to be able to read each line, then I apologize for this ridiculously long test paragraph! *** Duarte, I agree with you and have similar ideas. I just recently sent an email similar (cites National Public Radio and Wikipedia examples) to these ideas to the Board. http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/board/2011-June/003816.html The premise of my idea is that there are numerous agencies and companies that have employees with minor budgetary authority to spend ~$500 on software and these individuals are often using OSGeo projects and getting assistance using these OSGeo projects on the email lists and IRC. It makes sense that these people might be involved in sponsorship. What do others think? Although not heavily promoted, OSGeo and some projects can accept money through OSGeo here, http://www.osgeo.org/sponsorship/opportunities Some have $500 minimums. Here is the content of that email: Board, I started this email about six months ago and wanted to keep refining it and adding bits, but, it seems to be the opportune time to send it since it is a current topic for the Board (and it is already far too long - perhaps I should have spend more time removing not adding). I have some ideas pertaining to fundraising that I did not find previously discussed on the board or fundraising email lists. Searching the wiki and board minutes didn't turn up this discussion either. Perhaps these ideas have already been discussed and discarded in other venues. I think that OSGEO projects could get substantial funds from many corporate and agency users in $500-$2,000 increments on an annual basis. I am thinking of a fundraiser very similar to the National Public Radio style in the States. That is that for one week instead of providing high quality, commercial free, respected news and music, they focus at least 50% of the time on fundraising. In addition to changing the focus to fundraising they use all methods possible to fundraise. The methods seem almost extreme. It verges on berating, guilt, coercion, and other less dignified methods. Here are some clips that highlight some of these methods although mixed with humor, http://www.vpr.net/episode/49677/ If you have never listened to a NPR style fundraiser, I would suggest listening to one (although I also suggest listening to the station for a week without fundraiser to experience some of the more positive aspects of NPR). There should be one on internet radio currently, perhaps someone can send out a link when their local station is fundraising. In all the fundraising the focus is that NPR provides unique, high quality, commercial free, respected news and music and that you, yes you, can help provide that unique, high quality, commercial free, respected news and music that you and others value so m
[OSGeo-Discuss] Ecuador
Hi Tyler as I'm in contact for other projects with ESPOL University in Guayaquil (Ecuador), I want to ask them if they are interested in partecipating to the Academic Network even if at the moment they have a very little experience with respect to OS (but they are interested in changing from proprietary to OS GIS). I can try to organize (if they agree and with their help) the first meeting of FOS Users and Developers in Ecuador. I did it many many years ago in Italy and it was the start of the Italian community. Can you please provide me the contacts we have in Ecuador? Many thanks! Cheers. Maria This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. ___ Discuss mailing list Discuss@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
