An update from the Geeko Foundation

This talk will provide attendees with a comprehensive update on the Geeko Foundation, detailing the funding it has received, how these funds have been utilized, and the progress being made on behalf of its members. Attendees will gain insights into various aspects of the foundation’s financial management, from travel support and sponsorships to fundraising efforts and the overall sponsorship of the project. The presentation will highlight the strategic initiatives undertaken by the foundation's trustees, demonstrating their commitment to advancing the project. By offering a clear picture of the foundation's operations and achievements, this talk aims to inform and engage community members, encouraging greater participation and support for the Geeko Foundation's mission. Members of the Geeko Foundation include Douglas DeMaio, Svebor Prstačić and Patrick Fitzgerald. The foundation is advancing and is looking for help from participants.

Transcript

1. An update from the Geeko Foundation Douglas DeMaio & Patrick Fitzgerald https://geekos.org geekos @GeekosOrg
2. Geeko Foundation Intro • Founded in 2023 • Mission: A global network supporting emerging open- source projects through sponsorships, donations, and collaboration • Provide financial and organizational support for open- source projects & community events • Fundraising venture to support open-source communities
3. Geeko Foundation Intro • Working toward not-for-profit status • Foundation created to provide independence to ensure project’s long-term stability if necessary • Seeking more engagement from the community • Trustees/Officers are Croatian, American and Australian
4. About Us Patrick Fitzgerald Founder patrickf@geekos.org Douglas DeMaio Trustee douglasd@geekos.org Svebor Prstačić Trustee sveborp@geekos.org Each Officer has more than 25% but not more than 50% of ownership voting rights
5. Community Engagement • Providing talks, running booths, advocating for projects, fund raising on the community’s behalf • openSUSE Conference, openSUSE.Asia Summit, FOSDEM, FrOSCon, FOSSCOMM, ScaLE, Linux Application Summit, Akademy, dors/cluc, Chemnitz Linux Tage, Google Summer of Code Mentors Summit, SUSECON
6. Google Summer of Code (GSoC) • Second year supporting community • Funds sent to assist mentors attend the Google Summer of Code Mentors Summit – Administrative tasks – Support for community participating in these effort • Helps with exposure of the foundation and projects it supports • Attended event at FOSDEM
7. Events and Merchandise • Allows for funds to be captured and put to use for and by the community – Event sponsorship funds going to community – Branded merchandise can now be captured • Spreadshirt • Freewear – Donations, Unreimbursed Volunteer Contributions • Thankful for those who are supporting these efforts
8. Travel Support Program • Requested to take over the TSP in September of 2023 • Provided TSP support since October 2023 (Approved by openSUSE board) • Requests & Amounts increased since Geeko Foundation runs it • Looking for help to run it • Challenges still remain – Aiming for a standardized amount for events – People’s requests, lifestyle, expectations differ
9. Travel Support Program • For openSUSE.Asia Summit (Received 10,000 USD for purpose) – More than 28,000 USD in requests – 12,881 USD approved • Transportation – Location Limit based on max 600 USD • Included Europe, Americas and parts of Asia – 70% ranging from 420 USD to low of 154 USD • Hotel – Max Limit 260 USD at 100% – Everyone got 60% (156 USD per person)
10. Partnerships and Collaboration • SUSE • ARM • Amazon • i-Layer • Many more
11. Future Plans • Our “POD” (Point of Donation System) needs some help to round out features. Interested?
12. Future Plans • We are currently working with FOSSCOMM 2024 to provide “treasury services” – and we need to automate the interactions between: – Wise (our bank) – Stripe (our payment provider) – Xero (our accounting system) • Result: a simple way to run events, attract donors and make payments – With minimal involvement from Geeko Foundation • We need your help: do you know Python/Django/REST?
13. Thank You patrickf@geekos.org douglasd@geekos.org
14. Donations Donate Some Yen Now! (or visit geekos.org/donate)
15. Questions