Authors: Stephen Jacobs, Michael Nolan
The predominant funding models for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) allocate funds directly to specific projects, primarily to support short-term staffing to enhance the codebase or development pipeline. Funding is often distributed through a Call for Proposals (CFP) process, mainly when sourced from non-corporate entities. More frequently, corporate sponsorships or grants are directed toward projects that are critical dependencies within the corporation’s portfolio. While these funds occasionally have a medium- to long-term impact, they yield only short-term benefits for the project or its community. In this opinion paper, we draw on the Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) experience in establishing external and internal programs and creating small, funded teams to support various FOSS projects. We propose a model that prioritizes providing team services over direct cash disbursements.