501c4Announcement

OSGeo is pleased to announce that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has accepted our application(pdf) for non-profit status under section 501(c)(4) of the tax code. Our 501(c)(4) status declares that we are a Social Welfare Organization. This determination affirms OSGeo role in serving the public through our mission focused around Open Source Geospatial software.

This determination helps ensure that the organization will not have pay US federal taxes on money accumulated toward the fullfilment of our mission. Unfortunately, unlike a 501(c)(3) (Charitable) status, this does not allow financial contributors to OSGeo to treat the contributions as a charitable contribution which can have a tax benefit for US tax payers. There should still be no problem with commercial organizations treating contributions to OSGeo as a business expense.

OSGeo owes a special debt to past Executive Director Tyler Mitchell, and current Treasurer Daniel Morissette who have carried this process to a successful conclusion after several years of work.