Please review the different funding types below before creating a ticket. To create a ticket use the link at the end of this article.
Please keep in mind that All funding is subject to G&A.
All funding types require approval from CFO and SVP of Strategic Programs.
Event Support requires additional approval from SVP of Events.
1. Supplemental Directed Sponsorship
Additional funding for an existing LF Directed Fund with active members. Funding purpose should be related to a specific project initiative or to fund defined work
Reporting included in Directed Fund overall budget
Supplemental sponsor must be a member of the umbrella Directed Fund
Agreement assumes 12 months and can be one-time or renewing
2. Supplemental Directed Fund
Membership structure for a project within an existing LF Directed Fund foundation with active members
Minimum $200k budget
More than one member required
At least 1 top-level member of the umbrella must be a sponsor of the Supplemental Directed Fund
Agreements assume 12 months and are renewing
SDF required to engage PMO
Required membership in parent foundation for SDF members
Only resources technically specific to the subproject can be paid for by the new fund; otherwise, the subproject can contribute funding to the umbrella to increase other services identified by the Members
Note: SDFs are highly exceptional and require thorough discussion and approval in advance
3. Supplemental Linux Foundation Sponsorship
Additional funding for a Linux Foundation approved initiative for defined work
Reporting managed by LF Finance with clear external ownership of financials established upfront
Sponsor must be a Gold or Platinum member of the LF
Agreement assumes 12 months and can be one-time or renewing
4. Directed Sponsorship (Supplemental to the Linux Foundation membership)
One company sponsors an LF technical project (not related to an existing funded DF). Funding purpose should be related to a specific project initiative or to fund defined work
Minimum sponsorship of $50k
Linux Foundation membership required
Clear ownership of financial approvals must be established upfront (one accountable member contact required)
Agreement assumes 12 months and can be one-time or renewing
Project either engages PMO (if work is high-touch context required) or Central Team (basic support with self-service options)
If sponsorship is to be used for 3rd party services, e.g. hosting, there is a 10% reserve required. Unused reserves can be applied to future memberships across the LF
Multiple companies sponsor an LF technical project (not related to an existing funded DF). Funding purpose should be related to a specific project initiative or to fund defined work
Clear ownership of financial approvals must be established upfront (oversight body identified)
Agreements assume 12 months and are renewing
Project must engage PMO
Minimum $200k budget
If sponsorship is to be used for 3rd party services, e.g. hosting, there is a 10% reserve required. Unused reserves can be applied to future memberships across the LF.
LF Gold or Platinum membership required of one participant
5. Event Sponsorship Contract Support for Small Project Events
It is highly recommended that the project use the Linux Foundation Event Management Services team for support on all events, but if the project decides to do a small meet-up, hackathon or booth independently and wants to offer basic sponsorships, the process below applies.
As this is for small events, sponsorship options/pricing tiers are limited to FIVE per event
Event Sales Ops will NOT support contract redlines with sponsors
Fees apply:
1-3 contracts is $1,000
3-10 contracts is $4,000
10+ contracts requires approval by Casey Robinson
If the project wants to avoid a fee, you can process this as a donation; the donation will not have an event code or benefits, it will not be a sponsorship - it’s simply “Company X wants to donate $X to support Project Name at Event Name.”
6. Donation or Research Sponsorship
Additional funding or single donation for one-time support of a project or LF work without additional reporting or on-going requirements
No reporting requirements
No scope of work
Sponsorship of research
Does not renew
To create a request ticket, use the Google Form HERE