Simon PooleAug 11, 2023

The downsides of being frugal.

The #OpenStreetMap Foundation spends, even with a slightly more ambitious budget this year than previously, less than %1 of what WMF/Wikipedia does, but is struggling to make ends meet.

There is no threat a la the infamous Wikipedia ads that the project will shut down, but without the funds activities will have to be cut back significantly.

If you consider OSM valuable consider https://supporting.openstreetmap.org/

OpenStreetMap Foundation – Supporting the work of the OpenStreetMap project

Show threadDerick RethansAug 12, 2023
@simon I'd be helpful if there was a drive or a goal to strive for each year.
Show threadSimon PooleAug 12, 2023

@derickr well that depends on the budget naturally. Essentially donations need to be total budget - membership fees - any surplus from conferences.

This year that is £500'000 and a bit. See https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Board/Minutes/2023-02/Budget

Board/Minutes/2023-02/Budget - OpenStreetMap Foundation

Show threadDerick RethansAug 12, 2023
@simon Sure, but put that up and front. The current membership recurrent payment is only through PayPal which isn't appropriate.
Show threadDerick Rethans
@simon my membership lapsed because I can't be arsed to do the complications around paying OSMF
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:12pmWeb
Show threadGuillaume RischardAug 13, 2023
@derickr @simon in the UK you can use a bank transfer. If the forms annoy you(fair), you can st transfer and we'll still use the cash to pay for bandwidth. https://supporting.openstreetmap.org/alternative-payment-options/
Alternative payment options – OpenStreetMap Foundation

Show threadDerick RethansAug 13, 2023
@grischard @simon That's what I did, I had set up a direct debit, but I got my money returned a few times. So I gave up on that too.
Show threadGuillaume RischardAug 13, 2023

@derickr @simon probably when we changed banks from Barclays? (They didn't like that we had no directors in the UK)

I'll message you on irc in a minute.