Non-Profit FOSS Institute

Mission, Goals, and Concept of Operations

October 2013

Bridging Digital Divides

• The Non-Profit FOSS Institute’s (NPFI) mission is to promote the study, development, support, and distribution of open source software that benefits non-profit organizations.

• The Institute provides a collaborative environment that brings together participants from academia, the non-profit sector, and the software development industry.

• Together, these participants develop software products that support the work of non-profit organizations, while also leading educational and outreach programs to promote open source software development.

Serving Three Key Sectors

• Academia: Undergraduate instructors and student teams interested in service-learning software development projects.

• Non-Profit Sector: Humanitarian non-profits with specific software needs that are willing to work directly with instructor/ class teams to help develop the software and support academic service learning goals.

• Software Development Sector: IT/software groups willing to bring their technical expertise to support the deployment and maintenance of open source software.

A Collaborative Triad: Service Learning for the Greater Good

NPFI Recruits and matches project triads; Provides

guidance for instructors and non-profits; Disseminates open source products to support

future projects

Undergraduate Classes and Instructors

Through service-based learning programs, design

and develop software modules using open source

tools

Non-Profit Clients

Identify organizational needs and collaborate with

classes to develop prototype software

solutions

IT/Software Firms

Help deploy software products, and provide

ongoing maintenance and support under contract with

non-profit

Institute Goals

• Provide matching services to identify and connect non-profits with computer science classes interested in service-learning projects, and IT/software firms willing to provide support.

• Introduce interested college/university computer science instructors to techniques for developing and introducing service learning experiences into their courses.

• Provide participating non-profit organizations with useful custom software that directly supports their mission.

• Disseminate open source products, distributing the benefits of the software developed for one non-profit organization to other non-profits with similar needs.

Concept of Operations: Life Cycle Activities

1. Identify Non-Profit Project Need and Match

With Instructor/Class

2. Support Development and

Deployment of Open Source Software

Product

3. Match Non-Profit with Support IT Organization

4. Disseminate Open Source Packages;

Educate/Recruit New Participants

NPFI: Recruits Matches Supports Educates

1. Match Non-Profit with Instructor/Class

• Institute or class instructor works with interested non-profit to identify needs, develop a project description, and generate set of requirements.

• Instructor, with Institute support, develops plan for semester-long project.

• This “semester-based labor system” is central to the Institute concept; every project must be scoped such that it can be prototyped by an undergraduate student team in one semester.

• Some instructors may come to the Institute with pre-identified projects; Institute will match where needed.

1. Identify Non-Profit Project Need and Match

With Instructor/Class

2. Support Development and Deployment

• Instructor, with Institute support where needed, guides student team to develop a prototype that meets client needs.

• Core development principles:– Prototypes developed under the Institute’s

purview must use open source tools and carry a open source license.

– Class must interact regularly with the client contact at the non-profit organization.

• Non-profit provides key contact for development, deployment, and training.

• Once complete, instructor provides full set of documentation and code to Institute.

2. Support Development and Deployment of

Open Source Software Product

3. Match Non-Profit with Support Organization

• Institute works closely with the non-profit to negotiate a support contract with a local, service-oriented IT/software development firm to provide long-term maintenance and support services for the deployed product.

• Scope of support well defined, and reasonably priced for non-profit; firm may rebuild or enhance product to support long-term needs.

• The Institute serves as a back-up broker and supporter in case of conflict or if the contract ever falls through.

3. Match Non-Profit with Support IT Organization

4. Institute Disseminates Tools; Recruits New Participants

• Institute maintains repository of sample products meeting common non-profit needs. Artifacts (code, documentation) serve as a baseline for development or customization by a semester-class team.

• Institute maintains “Instructor Toolbox” to attract college instructors interested in pursuing service-based learning projects.

• Institute also supports a broader outreach mission to educate people about open source software and Institute goals.

• Existing college-non-profit partnerships may continue, as both parties identify new possible modules based on their experiences.

4. Disseminate Open Source Packages;

Educate/Recruit New Participants

Case Study: “Homeplate Project” (Beaufort, SC)

• Project Need: Volunteers at Second Helpings in Beaufort County, South Carolina pick up food donations from area grocery stores, and then redistribute donations to food banks. Food pick-ups and drop-offs were once logged using pen and paper, and then hand-entered into spreadsheets at the office.

• Service Learning Projects: In 2012, two Bowdoin College computer science classes changed this. One class built a database to track food donations and deliveries. A second class built a mobile app, used by volunteers on the trucks to record pick-ups and drop-offs of food instantly.

• Outcome: This project has replaced the clipboards and pens previously used by Second Helpings volunteers, and provides more accurate and timely reports.

Case Study: “Homebase Project” (Portland, ME)

• Project Need: Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland, Maine staff the front desk, clean rooms, and help ease the way for families while their children are treated in nearby hospitals. Scheduling volunteers and rooms was once done by hand, using paper calendars and lists of names and addresses. The processes were error prone and cumbersome. ‐

• Service Learning Projects: Bowdoin College teams have developed a number of tools for the House, which support both online volunteer and room scheduling.

• Outcome: By streamlining administrative activities, the Homebase system allows volunteers to spend more time serving and supporting families in need.

Next Steps: Work Plan Areas of Focus

• Develop General Outreach Materials: Establish a web-based presence for the Institute to communicate general goals and approach to interested people and organizations.

• Identify and Apply for Funding Opportunities: Complete IRS tax exemption application process; obtain funding for start-up activities and ongoing sustainability.

• Develop Triad Recruitment Approach: Establish systematic approaches to identify and match candidate participants (triads of classes, non-profits, and IT/software companies).

• Formalize Technical Environment: Establish "Instructor's Toolbox" of demonstration products (sample outcomes), processes, and list of available development tools.

Benefits for Participants

Classes and Instructors

Non-Profit IT/Software Organization

• Provides students with unique learning experience.

• Provides students with communication and teamwork skills critical for professional success.

• Feeds student and instructor values related to community service.

• May provide visibility and good will for university/college and instructor in local community.

• Receives a customized software tool that directly supports its mission, and that it is directly involved in developing.

• Receives support in setting up a reasonable contract allowing for long-term sustainability of the software.

• May provide the benefits of greater connection with university/college and a great good news story for donor base.

• Establishes a new client for support services that would not otherwise be in the IT services market.

• May benefit from the recruiting potential offered by close ties with a university computer science program.

• Helps organization meet community service goals, and may provide positive press and visibility.

The Institute Vision

• Computer science students that are fluent in user communication as well as technical development.

• Non-profit organizations that are empowered to use technology to more effectively serve their end clients.

• IT/software companies that are connected through service to non-profits in their communities.

• A vibrant Institute that connects and educates: serving those who serve others.

The Bowdoin College class team that developed a volunteer scheduling tool for the Ronald McDonald House in Portland, Maine.