What is OSC?
Open Source Collective is a 501c6 nonprofit working for the common interests of those who create and use open-source software. As a nonprofit fiscal host (a.k.a. fiscal sponsor or foundation), we provide the financial and legal infrastructure for thousands of open source projects. We’re the ‘API' between the world of open source communities and the world of accounting and invoices.
How we Think
People are more important than code
Open source software is a byproduct of active communities working toward a common goal. We prioritize the needs of people first.
One size does not fit all
Open Source Collective does not impose a structure, a process, or a statute on you and your community.
Strength lies in community
That said, we do believe that strength comes from broad and diverse community-centered approaches. We encourage members to think about distributing their responsibilities and building communities.
Solving problems together
We believe that we can address many of the problems we face by working together. Where possible, we try to solve problems from within and we try to benefit all members in our approaches.
Who we're for
For Maintainers
We take care of all the accounting, taxes, invoices, and administration. You decide where the money gets spent, then we make it happen.
Through us you can:
Manage your open source project’s funds transparently.
Receive financial contributions by credit card, PayPal, electronic bank transfer, or crypto (beta).
Receive funds through GitHub Sponsors.
Receive funds from corporate supporters (we’re registered as a supplier to many corporate sponsors).
Register trademarks, sign contracts and legal agreements and apply for grants.
Pay yourself, your team, contractors, vendors, and suppliers.
And much more...
Financial Contributors and Sponsors
Support the open source projects you rely on. See how projects are using their finances, engage with and stay up to date with progress, and get recognition for your contributions.
Through us you can:
Manage all your open source support in a single place, with Open Source Collective acting as a single ‘supplier’ to your organization
Support projects instantly on a one-time or recurring basis using a credit card, PayPal, or electronic bank transfer
Hold funds with us to cover your contributions throughout the year
Issue gift cards to your staff, which they can then use to contribute on behalf of your organization
How we're organised
Open Source Collective is a non-profit 501(c)(6) mutual benefit organisation.
Our board of directors provide insight into the impact of our work and keep our goals aligned with those of our community:
Board of Directors
Our board of directors are:
Pia Mancini, Open Collective
Samson Goddy, Open Source Community Africa
Henry Zhu, Babel
Benjamin Nickolls, Octobox
Justin Dorfman, Bootstrap CDN
Duanne O'Brian, Indeed Open Source
Alyssa Wright, Bloomberg Open Source
The board selects an Executive Director who has the authority to execute agreements and is tasked with delivering on the mission of the organization.
Executive Director
Our Executive Director is Lauren Gardner
Our Strategy
In January 2022 we published our strategy which included three strategic goals:
Taking an ecosystem-wide approach to supporting open source software Enabling projects to use their money as well as raise it Make financially contributing to open source not only a good business decision, but an easy one
We continue to iterate on our strategy, and we welcome feedback on our work, see contact details below.
Contact Us
Last updated