The Open Source Geospatial Foundation is privileged to serve the members of our ‘Free and Open Source Geospatial Software’ community. OSGeo volunteers, including members and organizations, provide tremendous value in making geospatial technology accessible to everyone.
Your financial assistance enables OSGeo to meet operational costs for community infrastructure and operation as a software foundation.
Why Sponsor OSGeo
- Your Organization Depends on OSGeo Software – Your company or public institution uses OSGeo technologies in its day-to-day operation. Free and open-source technology allows you to compete effectively and deliver services effectively. Your financial support of OSGeo shares the operational cost of maintaining the software vital to your success.
- Your Community has adopted the use of OSGeo Software – Communities representing a wide range of domains, from professional associations to non-government organizations, leverage Free and open-source software as a critical component of end-user engagement. Your community has an interest in ensuring the software can be sustained into the future. By sponsoring OSGeo you demonstrate support for your members’ continued access to great freely available geospatial software.
- Your Goals are aligned with OSGeo’s Vision of empowering everyone with open software, open standards, and open data – Help achieve your own organization’s objectives by sponsoring OSGeo as a like-minded organization and benefit from a close relationship with our community of geospatial enthusiasts and professionals world-wide.
- Showcase Your Leadership in Free and Open Source Geospatial Technologies – By sponsoring OSGeo you will help align your business with the activities of thousands of adopters of free and open source geospatial software world wide. As a sponsor of OSGeo, you will align your business goals with the momentum behind OSGeo in the marketplace.
- Benefit from Sponsor Networking Opportunities – As a sponsor of OSGeo, you will benefit from unique opportunities to meet and share ideas with key members of OSGeo, other OSGeo sponsors, like-minded individuals, public institutions, and organizations.
How an OSGeo Sponsorship Works for You
Sponsorship is cumulative to recognize all your financial support made throughout the year. OSGeo recognizes contributions made across local chapters, meetups, individual OSGeo projects, outreach initiatives, local FOSS4G events, and our beloved annual global FOSS4G conference.
This approach lets you decide where your sponsorship investment can be most effective.
Sponsorship levels and benefits are outlined below. Highlights include website placement, inclusion in promotional material, and cross promotion at the OSGeo booth at conferences. For higher levels, there is an opportunity for a joint news post or press release signed by the OSGeo President to acknowledge your contribution. For those attending our global FOSS4G events there is an opportunity to attend planning sessions, and invitation to networking events.
Sponsorship Benefits
The Open Source Geospatial foundation is overjoyed to highlight the organizations providing financial support. Being able to show a wide range of sponsors is a great demonstration of the value our community provides and your trust in our community.
| Sponsorship | Diamond | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Sponsorship | $30,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 | $500 |
| Incentive (25% discount) | $22,500 | $15,000 | 7,600 | $2,250 | $375 |
| Visibility on OSGeo Sponsors webpage with logo and link | Extra Large | Large | Medium | Normal | Small |
| Your logo in the OSGeo website footer | included | included | included | included | — |
| OSGeo marketing materials placement | logo | logo | — | — | — |
| OSGeo booth placement | logo | logo | — | — | — |
| Press release About OSGeo placement | included | included | — | — | — |
| Sponsor Information Exchange Event with Board of Directors | included | included | — | — | — |
| Sponsor Networking Event | included | included | included | included | — |
| Sponsorship Announcement | press release & blog post | blog post | blog post | blog post | — |
| OSGeo Sponsorship Logo | diamond | platinum | gold | silver | bronze |
These benefits and perks are described in more detail below.
Diamond Sponsor
Diamond sponsorship level available to organizations contributing $30,000 USD in total to OSGeo:
- Top Visibility on the OSGeo Sponsors web page with an Extra Large logo linking to your organization’s website
- Your logo appears in the footer of pages on the OSGeo website with great frequency
- Key OSGeo marketing materials feature your organization’s logo
- Display your organization’s logo as part of the OSGeo Booth at promotional events
- Organization name listed in “About OSGeo” section of foundation press releases, website, and presentations “Supported by <YOU> and other sponsors.”
- Invitation to Sponsor Information Exchange Event with Board of Directors
- Invitation to Sponsor Networking Event with OSGeo Board of Directors and other invited guests during the annual OSGeo International Conference
- Joint News Post or Press Release with OSGeo to announce Sponsorship
- Right to use OSGeo Diamond Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
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Platinum Sponsor
Platinum sponsorship level available to organizations contributing $20,000 USD in total to OSGeo:
- High Visibility on the OSGeo Sponsors web page with an Large logo linking to your organization’s website
- Your logo appears in the footer of pages on the OSGeo website frequently
- Display your organization’s logo as part of the OSGeo Booth at promotional events
- Organization name listed in “About OSGeo” section of foundation press releases, website, and presentations “Supported by <YOU> and other sponsors.”
- Invitation to Sponsor Information Exchange Event with Board of Directors
- Invitation to Sponsor Networking Event with OSGeo Board of Directors and other invited guests during the annual OSGeo International Conference
- Joint News Post or Press Release with OSGeo to announce Sponsorship
- Use of OSGeo Platinum Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
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Gold Sponsor
Gold sponsorship level available to organizations contributing $10,000 USD in total to OSGeo:
- Visibility on the OSGeo Sponsors web page with a Medium sized logo linking to sponsor’s website
- Your logo appears in the footer of pages on the OSGeo website often
- Invitation to Sponsor Networking Event with OSGeo Board of Directors and other invited guests during the annual OSGeo International Conference
- Joint News Post with OSGeo to announce Sponsorship
- Use of OSGeo Gold Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
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Silver Sponsor
Sponsorship level available to organizations contributing $3,000 USD in total to OSGeo:
- Visibility on the OSGeo Sponsors web page with a Normal sized logo linking to sponsor’s website
- Your logo appears in the footer of pages on the OSGeo website occasionally
- Invitation to Sponsor Networking Event with OSGeo Board of Directors and other invited guests during the annual OSGeo International Conference
- Joint News Post with OSGeo to announce Sponsorship
- Use of OSGeo Silver Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
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Bronze Sponsor
Sponsorship level available to organizations contributing $500 USD in total to OSGeo:
- Listing on the OSGeo Sponsors web page with a Small logo linking to sponsor’s website
- Use of OSGeo Bronze Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
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Sponsorship Incentives
The following incentives are available.
Economic Incentive
OSGeo provides a 25% discount available to organizations residing in Low or Lower-Middle Income Economies (as defined by the World Bank and WHO).
Sponsorship Renewal Incentive
OSGeo appreciates an ongoing relationship with sponsors with a 25% discount available for sponsorship renewal.
We have three options available for for annual renewal:
- Commitment: Have you allocated your marketing budget for the year? Contact us with your committed level of funding allocated to upcoming events, projects and activities. We can update the sponsorship page to reflect your commitment for the year – even if the events have not happened yet.
This option provides the greatest sponsorship exposure, providing OSGeo Sponsorship branding and a news announcement. - Running total: Has a new project captured your interest, or a new event suitable for a product announcement? Send us an email as your sponsorship level changes and we can update the sponsorship page.
This option provides some flexibility, you may need to update your OSGeo sponsorship branding and news announcement over the course of the year. - Annual total: If your organization participates in a mix of marketing sponsorship and support of development activities you may wish to wait until the end of the year for a final total. Send us an email to use this approach, we will keep your sponsorship logo in place from the prior year.
This approach delays any OSGeo Sponsorship branding or news announcement but requires little upfront planning.
Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What activities are available to sponsors?
OSGeo publishes a news item highlighting sponsorship opportunities each year.
Additional events, and project goals will occur over the course of each year.
Q: How to Sponsor?
OSGeo Sponsorship is accumulated across OSGeo Foundation projects, initiatives and events and may be combined with the sponsorship discounts outlined above.
Email treasurer@osgeo.org to establish sponsorship.
Here is an example email:
Subject: OSGeo Sponsorship
To: treasurer@osgeo.org
Dear OSGeo Treasurer,
We would like to take this opportunity to sponsor OSGeo, we recognize the value in supporting open source and community outreach.
Thus far we have sponsored FOSS4G ($5000 USD) and FOSS4G-Europe (€4,000 EUR). Additionally, we would like to extend our support to the OSGeo Foundation, and request an invoice for $1000 USD. This brings our total up to slightly over $10,000 USD to be recognized as a gold sponsor (please see attached company logo).
Regards,
Marie Tharp
attachment: earth_observatory.svg
Q: How to Donate?
Donations are accepted via GitHub Sponsors and PayPal.
Use of GitHub Sponsors is recommend for monthly donations to OSGeo projects (avoids PayPal overhead, GitHub sticker for developer repository):
- Visit GitHub Sponsors page https://github.com/sponsors/OSGeo
- Select a monthly donation sponsorship tier.
- The OSGeo treasurer does not get a clear notification from GitHub. To direct your donation to a specific project or activity email treasurer@osgeo.org.
Example email donating to the OSGeo Live project:
Subject: OSGeo Live project donation
To: treasurer@osgeo.orgDear OSGeo Treasurer,
I have used the GitHub Sponsors page for a monthly donation of $10 intended for the OSGeo Live Project.
Thank you for enabling my students with this great resource! - Have your organization logo ready to share with the project or activity accepting donations.
Using PayPal is best for easy one-time donations (although PayPal takes a small overhead):
- OSGeo pages can include “Donate on PayPal” setup to fund an activity or project.
Examples include:- The “Donate on PayPal” at the top of this page
- The FOSS4G Travel Grant Program page
- Check the currency (USD rates are provided by default).
- Use the “Add special instructions to the seller” field on the confirmation page to mention the project or event.
- The OSGeo treasurer does not get a clear notification from PayPal. To direct your donation to a specific project or activity email treasurer@osgeo.org.
Example email donating to the foss4g travel grant initiative:
Subject: FOSS4G travel grant program donation
To: treasurer@osgeo.org
Dear OSGeo Treasurer,
I have used the PayPal button to donate $500 to the FOSS4G travel grant program.
Thanks for sharing foss4g with more people! - Have your organization logo ready to share with the project or activity accepting donations.
Q: How to request an Invoice?
Organizations requiring an invoice for sponsorship can ask the treasurer@osgeo.org to issue one.
- Email the OSGeo Treasurer (treasuer@osgeo.org) and request an invoice.
- Invoices include:
- All the same sponsor methods as above; or
- Wire transfer instructions; or
- Mailed check information.
- Wire transfer is available in Euro, Pounds Sterling, USD, or currency supported by wise.com.
Q: What is an appropriate level of sponsorship?
We encourage sponsors to review sponsorship opportunities and fund activities that align your goals and passions.
Here is some guidance to get started:
- $500/annually Bronze Sponsor: Individual consultants building a business around FOSS4G technology. Be sure to set up your service provider page.
- $3000/annually Silver Sponsor: Small organizations using FOSS4G technology to support their operation
- $10,000/annually Gold Sponsorship: Small organization using FOSS4G technology
- $20,000/annually Platinum Sponsorship: Large organization or public institution using FOSS4G technology to support their operation.
- $30,000/annually Diamond Sponsorship: Large organization or public institution using FOSS4G technology to fufill their goals and ambitions.
Q: What is an appropriate level of donation?
As an individual we encourage you to donate towards projects and activities that you are passionate about.
Here is some guidance as a starting point:
- $5/month Enthusiast: For fans of OSGeo enjoying FOSS4G technology
- $10/month Supporter: GIS Professionals making use of FOSS4G technology in their day-to-day employment.
- $50/month Bronze Sponsorship: Individual consultants building a business around FOSS4G technology. Be sure to set up your service provider page!
Q: How does sponsor visibility support free and open source software?
Visitors trying out free and open source software are reassured seeing a wide range of organizations using and supporting our technology.
However our promotion sponsors does not indicate endorsement – to be effective OSGeo operates as a vendor-neutral software foundation.
Q: Why was my sponsorship rejected?
Sponsorship is an opportunity for OSGeo to celebrate those invested in the success of the free and open source software ecosystem. Our sponsorship levels are intentionally low to provide visibility to individual consultants to allow greater representation.
The low-cost with respect to visibility resulted in some inappropriate sponsorship request. With this in mind organizations that have nothing to do with geospatial, such as coupon companies, will be declined.
Q: What size do I need to provide my logo?
We request an SVG logo in full-color for the website, and ideally monotone for use in promotional material.
We will do our best to scale the use of your logo appropriately so all logos at the same sponsorship level have the same visual weight, and enough whitespace to be clearly visible.
Template use:
- 766 × 492 pixels
- Use guidelines provided for horizontal and/or vertical aspect ratio.
With this in mind Logos made up of very thin lines, or intended to have a solid background, can be difficult to accommodate effectively.
The footer provides a good example of logos scaled to equal visual weight for display:
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Q: What is the “About OSGeo” section of a press release?
At the end of blog posts and press release there is a description of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation.
This description communicates our vision, our function as a software foundation, and the organizations providing significant financial support.
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Q: How are organizations and public institutions recognized by the OSGeo community?
The Open Source Geospatial Foundation fosters relationships with:
- GeoForAll Labs: Initiative promoting the use of FOSS4G technologies in academia and research institutions world wide.
- Partners and friends: OSGeo maintains relationships with organizations and public institutions aligned with our goals.
- Service providers: Companies and individuals offering commercial products and services built on FOSS4G technologies.
- Sponsors: organizations and public institutions providing financial support.
