To promote and protect open source software and communities...

For over 20 years the Open Source Initiative (OSI) has worked to raise awareness and adoption of open source software, and build bridges between open source communities of practice. As a global non-profit, the OSI champions software freedom in society through education, collaboration, and infrastructure, stewarding the Open Source Definition (OSD), and preventing abuse of the ideals and ethos inherent to the open source movement.

Open source software is made by many people and distributed under an OSD-compliant license which grants all the rights to use, study, change, and share the software in modified and unmodified form. Software freedom is essential to enabling community development of open source software.

News

Released: Report on Our Member Survey

This year, OSI Board member Elana Hashman began a project to survey OSI's stakeholders. This was the first time in our history that we have formally surveyed people in our community. Some of the results were surprising and some were expected, but on the whole, the participants we spoke with want to see OSI do "more." Let's take a look at some of the highlights.

OSI Seeks to Hire Executive Director

It is with great pride and excitement that I announce that OSI, as of today, is embarking on a search for an Executive Director.

This is the culmination of many years of work and dedication on the part of countless individuals, and should be taken as a sign that OSI is maturing as an organization. We are following in the footsteps of many organizations that have come before us: nonprofits often start as a scrappy band of volunteers, which then hire staff for day-to-day operations, and eventually the staff are empowered to lead the organization.

The .NET Foundation Joins the Open Source Initiative's Affiliate Program

PALO ALTO, Calif., October 20th, 2020 -- The Open Source Initiative® (OSI), the international authority in open source licensing, is excited to announce the affiliate membership of the .NET Foundation, the world's biggest repository of .NET projects and resources. Welcoming the .NET Foundation to the OSI Affiliate program further solidifies the .NET community's commitment to open source and highlights the open source movement's continued success across many different platforms.

Two Affiliate Events Later This Month

October in 2019 was packed with opportunities to catch up -- in person -- with many of our open source friends. This year is different, but there are still opportunities to learn, grow and even meet people. The only downsides? No long flights, no camping out in hotel lobbies waiting for your room to be ready and no jetlag. 
 

Announcing Our Sustainability Coordinator Role

The Open Source Initiative is in the middle of growth year which means we're building capacity and hiring staff. We're looking for someone to help us with capacity building, who has experience in both fundraising and relationship management. If you are interested in working with us or you know someone who is, please get in touch!