Partnering with NGOs

At this page we want to collect idease how to establish partnership with NGOs (or associations in general).

We are going to focus on four topics:
 * 1) General types of NGOs / associations to partner with
 * 2) needs of the different types of NGos / associations
 * 3) basic rules / framework at TDF including criteria for partnership
 * 4) list of interested NGOs / associations

Discussion was initiated by Sophie at discuss@documentfoundation.org.

= Types of existing associations = (quoting Sophie's initial mail)

We have determined three types of association currently existing :

1) Rare and particular case dedicated to a development or a one-time activity, it has no representation role before TDF or LibreOffice but interacts and serves the Foundation purpose. Example: The Document Machinery which is a NGO under the French law 1901 dedicated to a particular development.

2) Enterprise or business association (and we are clearly speaking of associations) which is a more common type than the 1st one. On a case by case meaning, specific representation could be granted concerning TDF. In the same way, particular relationship could be defined with The Document Foundation. There is so many types and so many different laws that can be taken into account here that it would be very difficult imho to draw a common set of rules for this type of relationship, we could however define a checklist or a template that would help to write the rules. But clearly, the background laying idea is if the TDF name is involved for raising money, there should be some fair way for the Foundation to benefit from it.

3) The classical NGOs supporting local communities and activities. They have no direct representation of TDF. Most of the time they need an official recognition or an endorsement of their activities by TDF. They need also clear guidelines of what they are able to do and how they interact with the Foundation or another particular case like 1 or 2 above, or also a particular product (LibreOffice for the moment, but that can be LOOL, etc.).

= needs of the different types of associations =


 * representing TDF
 * a specific "partner" logo
 * selling TDF /LibreOffice related merchandise

= basic rules for partnering =


 * you should be a Not for profit NGO, that is, not a private or public company. We stress on the difference between a NGO and an entity whose aim is to generate profit for its owners through trade and commercial services. If you are a company or feel you might not be eligible to qualify as a potential partner NGO we suggest you consider joining our Advisory Board. On the other hand if you are as a person a member of the Document Foundation or you have employees who are members of the Document Foundation your entity might get sufficient visibility.
 * your purpose should be to serve the goals of the Document Foundation and the interest of the LibreOffice project.
 * you should acknowledge and accept the rules outline in our community bylaws
 * you may claim that you are representing the Document Foundation in your specific area of expertise although the Document Foundation reserves the right to overrule this representation if it feels actions based on this representativity were not serving the interests and the goals of the Document Foundation.
 * the "area of expertise" is defined either as the geographical area the NGO is covering or the specific focus (professionals representativity) of expertise the NGO is covering.
 * the NGO cannot substitute itself to TDF on the LibreOffice project itself.
 * there is no exclusivity in the representativity granted by TDF to the NGO. The authorization might be withdrawn by TDF at any time
 * "Representativity" or "Representation" is defined as the ability for the NGO to use the full TDF and LibreOffice logos and call itself an "official TDF Partner".
 * In the case the NGO would like to sell TDF branded merchandise through its own store it is possible to do so however a revenue sharing model should be devised between TDF and the NGO beforehand.
 * The NGO might collect donations on behalf of TDF as well; in this case a specific donation sharing model should be defined between TDF and the NGO.

= list of interested associations =