Most of the large free software projects are maintained thanks to donations and their sponsors, it is no secret to anyone the expenses that software development entails, on this occasion, the friends of OpenStreetMap have started a donation campaign, with the aim of raising 70.000 € that will allow the project to remain independent.
The donation process is well advanced and is only 8.000 € To achieve its objectives, we invite the entire community to contribute to this noble cause, which will undoubtedly serve to continue to maintain the best tool to create free and editable maps.
What is OpenStreetMap?
OpenStreetMap It is the largest open geographic database in the world, it is a project that is responsible for creating and editing maps freely. The maps are created based on the geographic information sent by the users' devices (GPS, orthophotographs, among others), they are processed and stored in robust databases.
The community plays a vital role in this project, since they are in charge of editing, updating, adding information and verifying bugs in the maps. The tool is translated into a large number of languages and is integrated into a countless number of free tools.
What is the OpenStreetMap Foundation?
La OpenStreetMap Foundation It was legalized on August 22, 2006, by OSM in the hands of its Leader SteveCoast, and its definition is the following
Quoting the Foundation:
"The OpenStreetMap Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth, development and distribution of free geospatial data and providing geospatial data for anyone to use and share."
La OpenStreetMap Foundation it is based on income from individual and corporate membership dues, earnings from annual conferences, and past donation drives.
How to donate to the OpenStreetMap project?
The OpenStreetMap Foundation has created a publication here., where it indicates the reasons for the donations, the scope and how to donate. Paypal is being used to process donations, one of the most used payment gateways in the world.
In case you cannot use Paypal, you can write to the financing team at board@osmfoundation.org
In the same way, the foundation clarifies:
«¡Únete a nosotros! Aparte de los fondos para mejorar nuestro hardware lo que más necesitamos son las personas. Cualquiera que sea su experiencia – técnica o no – puede ayudar a OpenStreetMap.«
What will they do with the donations?
The donations will cover the basic operating expenses of the OpenStreetMap project:
- Hardware costs
- Legal fees
- Administrative Assistant
- Other expenses of the working group and administration.
Similarly, the Foundation has prepared a page of Finance, where they indicate the way they allocate their budget, links to income / expense sheets and balance sheets from the past.
From this open window the community, we invite you to contribute to this excellent project, regardless of the size of your economic contribution, in the same way, we can support the OpenStreetMap community using its tool, sending data, editing maps, creating guides and giving to know the tool.