Frequently Asked Questions

What is OSGeo?

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) is a not-for-profit organization that supports the collaborative development of open source geospatial software. Founded in 2006, OSGeo serves as a legal entity that can accept donations and hold intellectual property on behalf of its projects.

Is OSGeo a software project?

No. OSGeo is a foundation that supports multiple software projects. Our projects include QGIS, GDAL, PostGIS, GeoServer, GRASS GIS, OpenLayers, and many others. Each project maintains its own development community while benefiting from the foundation’s infrastructure and support.

View All Projects

How is OSGeo funded?

OSGeo is funded through:

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Is OSGeo software free?

Yes! All OSGeo software is free and open source. You can download, use, modify, and redistribute it without cost. Different projects use different open source licenses (GPL, MIT, Apache, etc.) which determine specific terms of use.

Do I need to pay for commercial use?

No. OSGeo software can be used for any purpose, including commercial applications, without licensing fees. Some users choose to hire support providers or contribute back to the projects they use.

Where do I get support?

View Mailing Lists

How do I report a bug?

Each project has its own bug tracker (typically on GitHub). Good bug reports include:

How can I contribute?

Get Involved

Do I need to know programming?

No! Many valuable contributions don’t require coding:

What is a Charter Member?

Charter Members are individuals who have demonstrated sustained and significant contributions to OSGeo. They have certain governance rights within the foundation. Charter membership is by invitation based on contributions.

About Membership

How does a project join OSGeo?

Projects apply through OSGeo’s incubation process, which evaluates:

About Incubation

Who makes decisions for OSGeo?

OSGeo is governed by an elected Board of Directors. Charter Members vote for Board members annually. Each project maintains its own project steering committee for technical decisions.

How is OSGeo related to OGC, ISO, etc.?

OSGeo is independent but collaborates with standards bodies. Many OSGeo projects implement OGC and ISO standards. OSGeo representatives participate in standards development.