The Role of Foundations in Today's Open Source Ecosystem

Explore the evolving role of foundations in the open source ecosystem through this insightful conference talk by Thierry Carrez, General Manager at the Open Infrastructure Foundation and vice-chair of the Open Source Initiative. Delve into the history of open source foundations, examine the current landscape of foundation types, and understand their crucial functions in enabling cross-organizational collaboration. Learn about the value-added services provided by modern foundations, including guidance, asset management, fiscal hosting, and project infrastructure. Discover why foundations remain relevant in 2022, their key roles in open source development, and advanced functions such as resource allocation, audience cultivation, and ecosystem support. Gain insights into the differences between American and European foundations, the life cycle of foundations, and their potential future evolution in the ever-changing world of open source software development.