OSGeo Sponsorship Page

'''This page contains draft content for the OSGeo Sponsorship Page. the Fundraising committee will need to review this information and approve it before it goes onto the main OSGeo website'''

Help Sponsor OSGeo
OSGeo is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a reliable home for open source geospatial software. It also serves as a vehicle for promoting open source software and is a place where the community can gather to drive ahead innovations and maturation of the technologies we collectively share.

Although we have a tremendous volunteer community, including corporate activity, involved in the advancement of open source technologies, some things still have hard costs. To cover these costs we need your help. Your support will help ensure that OSGeo will be a sustainable and healthy organization representing open source geospatial technologies long into the future.

Why Sponsor OSGeo

 * Organizations Depend on OSGeo Software - Many companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies use OSGeo technologies in their day-to-day work and would be substantially different if these tools were not available. Sustaining their own current operations into the future depends on the success of OSGeo and a commensurate relationship with the organization.
 * Organization or Community Adoption of OSGeo Software - A wide range of organizations and communities have internal members or staff who have adopted OSGeo software to deliver solutions. These organizations have an interest in ensuring the software can be sustained into the future, and wish to be seen to be supporting their member's software selection.
 * Open Source adoption of Open Standards and other priorities - Some of OSGeo's primary goals and objectives are consistent with other organization's missions and goals. Sponsorship can become a means of furthering these goals by supporting a like-minded organization.
 * Market Benefits of Supporting OSGeo - Organizations, especially companies, increasingly recognize the benefit of being supportive of open source in the marketplace. Generally speaking, they wish to be seen as friendly to open source and  sponsoring OSGeo provides a means of adding credibility to their image.
 * Visibility - All marketing and communications organizations are interested in maximizing positive visibility in the marketplace. Sponsorship provides a mechanism for associated visibility with OSGeo such as logos on booths, web sites and other marketing collateral.
 * Networking Opportunity - All organizations value opportunities to meet with like-minded individuals. Meeting around a common supported cause with other OSGeo sponsors and volunteers is a great way to build stronger links and expand your organization's network of contacts.

Organizational sponsorships are offered to organizations at the following levels (per annum):


 * 1) Sustaining Sponsor: $50,000 USD
 * 2) Principal Sponsor: $20,000 USD
 * 3) Supporting Sponsor: $10,000 USD
 * 4) Associate Sponsor: $3,000 USD

'Names need to be reviewed in light of the nature of the sponsorships. Pending on target audiences etc. TBD'

Sponsorship Benefits
One strength of OSGeo is its ability to operate in an arm's length manner from any organization and, therefore, from any individual sponsor. Every sponsor is an important part of OSGeo, no matter what funding level they commit to. For this reason the benefits offered to sponsors cannot compromise impartiality and help keep OSGeo free from any one influence. This is critical to the success of all organizations that partner with OSGeo.

In recognition of the various levels of sponsor contributions, each sponsor receives particularl benefits. The benefits are outlined below and are cumulative as the amounts increase (higher levels include lower level benefits as well).

Associate Sponsor

 * Right to use OSGeo Sponsor logo and promote named sponsorship level
 * Sponsor is promoted on OSGeo Sponsors Web page, with link to sponsor's Web site

Supporting Sponsor

 * Joint Press Release with OSGeo to announce Sponsorship
 * Invitation to Sponsor Networking Event with OSGeo Board of Directors and other invited guests
 * Promotional Space on a personalized OSGeo Sponsor Page (content subject to OSGeo approval)

Principal Sponsor

 * Enlarged Promotional Space on personalized OSGeo Sponsor Page (content subject to OSGeo approval)
 * Sponsorship Selection after Sustaining Sponsors for the Annual OSGeo International Conference

Sustaining Sponsor

 * Top Visibility on the OSGeo Sponsors Web page
 * Key OSGeo marketing materials promote your organization's logo
 * At promotion events, your organization's logo is part of the OSGeo Booth
 * Right to First Sponsorship Selection for the Annual OSGeo International Conference

= How to Sponsor =

To become a foundation level sponsor of OSGeo, please contact OSGeo Executive Directory Tyler Mitchell by email at tmitchell@osgeo.org, or by phone at (Tyler's phone #).