Support our mission
Help us protect the Open Source Definition
Donate and join as full member to gain the right to vote
Basic
$0
Stay informed and connected with free access to the OSI community.
Supporting
$50/year
Shape the direction and identify the leadership of OSI.
Same as Basic plus:
✅ Voting rights
✅ Nominate candidates
✅ Run for a seat
✅ Member pin (US only)
✅ Early access to events
✅ Member discounts
✅ Tax deductible
Professional
$300/year
Vote in OSI Board elections and be acknowledged for your commitment to open source.
Same as Supporting plus:
✅ Priority access to OSI events
✅ Early access to OSI content
✅ Recognition (optional)
Membership benefits explained
- Newsletter – Regular email updates with OSI news, events, calls for input, and opportunities to get involved.
- Discussions – Access to OSI community discussion spaces where you can follow conversations, ask questions, and share your perspective on open source topics.
- Voting rights – The ability to vote in OSI Board of Directors elections and on other member ballots, giving you a direct voice in how the organization is led.
- Nominate candidates – You can propose eligible individuals as candidates for the OSI Board of Directors.
- Run for a seat – If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may stand as a candidate yourself and be elected to the Board.
- Member pin (US only) – A physical OSI member pin mailed to addresses in the United States as a small token of appreciation and visible sign of your support.
- Early access to events – Members receive advance notice and early registration opportunities for OSI events, workshops, and community sessions.
- Member discounts – Reduced pricing or special offers on selected OSI-organized activities and partner services where available.
- Tax deductible – For most U.S. taxpayers, membership dues can be treated as a tax-deductible contribution to OSI, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (always confirm with your tax advisor).
- Priority access to OSI events – Professional members get first priority when space is limited at certain OSI meetings or programs.
- Early access to OSI content – Professional members can see selected reports, briefings, or other materials before they are released publicly.
- Recognition (optional) – If you choose, your name can be listed as an OSI Professional Member to acknowledge your commitment to open source.
Become a member of the Open Source Initiative
Want to get OSI membership covered by your company?
Use the email template below to request reimbursement or have the membership fee included in your professional development budget.
Subject: Request for OSI Membership to support my role
Hi [Manager's Name],
I'd like to request [reimbursement for or coverage of] a [$50 or $300] annual membership with the Open Source Initiative (OSI). OSI is the global nonprofit that maintains the Open Source Definition. This membership is a professional development investment that will help me deepen my open source expertise and directly benefit our organization.
It offers immediate, practical value to my role through:
- Connecting with OSI's network will help me learn proven best practices in open source program management, licensing compliance, and community building.
- As an OSI member, I can vote in Board elections, nominate Directors, or even run for a Director seat myself, which means I have a voice in the direction of this industry body.
- OSI membership signals my commitment to open source values and best practices.
- Because OSI is a nonprofit, my membership dues directly support OSI's mission to promote and protect open source software and communities.
- By supporting OSI, we are also giving back to the open source ecosystem that our work depends on.
Let me know if I can move forward with this.
Thanks,
[Your Name]