Possible Panel Topic: Funding Open: Exploration of Models, Ideas, and Practices for Funding Open

[Alnisa Allgood]

Hi Everyone-

I wanted to throw out an idea for a possible workshop/panel topic that could be used for 31 October 2009 Global Open Everything (if we participate), or some future effort. Along with Open Government and Open Content ( including art), one of the biggest conversation generators of the Dec 7, 2008 Open Everything Conversation was 'how do we fund open?'  The question goes from the individual, "how do I make a living?" to the organizational, "what practices and techniques can we learn from and adjust, so we can support our organization becoming more open?" to the institutional, "what models, frameworks, and research address methods for funding open?"

While it hasn't been an active project of mine, over the last few months I've collect research from a number of different sources on funding and/or making sustainable 'open' initiatives. I've contacted a few of the researchers/authors to get more information, thoughts, and possible ideas for potential panelist from the Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois areas. Whether or not this could be narrowed down enough and at least 3 preferably 4 panelist could be found before October 10 (the date I would recommend that publicizing and recruiting participants for the event would need to start by) is debatable. But I thought it would be a good idea to see if people would be interested in covering the topic for the Global Open Everything effort.

I should add, that we could always do it at some point in the future, and who knows we may even decide its worth it's own series to truly explore what ideas are out there, who's doing what, and delve into various models/frameworks. So really the primary question is should we put the effort into developing this event for the 31 October 2009? Additional question is is there still interest in the topic?

Alnisa
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Alnisa Allgood
Executive Director
Nonprofit Tech
t. 608.241.3616
e. aln...@nonprofit-tech.org