Support impactful applied Open Source research
Why sponsor the Stewardship Lab?
We do applied research to make the global Open Source ecosystem more sustainable. It's in your company's interest for this work to get done, since your revenue depends on the stability of the OSS you use.
Our team makes sure critical Open Source software keeps working, by creating tools that prevent supply chain security issues, and by creating resources that improve project governance and maintainer mental health.
“We need your support to get the sustainable long-term funding our researchers need to do their work without the precarity of short-term grants, and to pay for the computing that our work requires.”
By contributing to this work, you're also helping protect the critical services that our society depends on, like healthcare, transportation and the internet.
Our team of non-executive directors ensures that all funds are used for making progress towards our mission, and all our finances are transparently reported on Open Collective.
Tell us your research needs
Higher-tier sponsors have the ability to get regular updates on our research projects and suggest future research ideas.
Signal thought leadership
Give customers another reason to choose you over competitors. Prove you're a thought leader that sees issues in the ecosystem before they happen, and does something to help.
Attract prospective employees
We've seen it time and time again: developers care about joining companies that grok Open Source. Supporting sustainable stewardship is one way for you to attract the best talent.
Want to sponsor our work?
Sponsor on Open CollectiveFull financials reported transparently on Open Collective.Sponsorship Tiers
- A seat on our Funder Advisory Board This substantial advisory role will allow your company to regularly meet with our directors
- Participate in a quarterly call with our directors This gives you an opportunity to make suggestions for our future research
- 10 hours of consultation sessions Our researchers will help your team with any questions regarding engagement with Open Source, supply chain issues, and other areas we have expertise in
- A press release about your company's Open Source involvement We will co-author and co-publish a press release highlighting what your company is doing for the Open Source community, and why you're an innovator in this space
- Your logo on our research papers We will feature your logo on all our self-published research papers (ie, excluding papers published in journals)
- Your logo on our website We will display your logo on our list of sponsors
- A Software Stewardship Lab Patron badge Show off your support for Open Source sustainability by displaying this badge on your website and in marketing materials
- Your name on our website You will be permanently shown on our list of past sponsors
Want more details?
Contact & book a callFrequently asked questions
Is the Software Stewardship Lab registered as a non-profit?
Yes. We are registered as a Scottish non-profit with company number SC893294. This means that we are legally required to use all funds received to further our mission.
Are donations tax deductible?
No. To be able to use our funds most efficiently, we made the choice to incorporate as a UK non-profit company limited by guarantee, which does not offer tax-exempt status.
We plan to seek tax-exempt charity status moving forward, but we need your financial support to be able to bear the associated costs.
So far, charity regulators have given limited or no recognition to Open Source causes. Our becoming a charity will help pave the way for future organisations to become Open Source charities.
What payment methods are available?
Our Open Collective page allows card payments and payments by bank transfer. If you need more information, or a different payment method, contact us.
Are donations from individuals welcome? Are one-time donations welcome?
Yes! We are very grateful for donations from individuals, and for one-time donations. Every little bit helps us do our research. We'll be happy to feature your name in our “other sponsors” section.
How long do benefits last?
All benefits last while you have an active yearly sponsorship. There's one exception: one-time donations are permanently featured in our “other sponsors” section.
Where are sponsors listed?
Sponsors will be listed on our website shortly, on a page we're still setting up.
Does the Lab unreservedly endorse the organisations that sponsor it?
We accept contributions from a wide variety of organisations, and we aim to celebrate the good that they do. However, accepting a contribution from an organisation does not constitute endorsement of it, and certainly not endorsement of all its practices.
We acknowledge that organisations may simultaneously carry out both socially harmful practices, which we may push back on in order to help the organisation do better; and socially beneficial practices, which we will celebrate.
Even so, we reserve our right to refuse contributions from organisations that carry out egregiously socially harmful practices, such as widespread environmental destruction.