Episode 232: Susan Kennedy on Open Technology Fund (OTF)

Guest Susan Kennedy Panelists Richard Littauer | Eriol Fox Show
Notes In this episode, hosts Richard Littauer and Eriol Fox chat
with Susan Kennedy, a program manager at the Open Technology Fund
(OTF), to explore the intricacies of sustaining open source
technologies. OTF, a nonprofit organization, plays a vital role in
promoting internet freedom in oppressive regimes by supporting the
development of anti-censorship and anti-surveillance technologies.
Funded by the U.S. Congress but operating independently, OTF aids
in navigating the challenges attached to open source project
sustainability and maintenance. Susan outlines OTF's fund
mechanism, highlighting its commitment to supporting open source
projects that are pivotal for internet freedom. Also, the episode
shines a light on the newly initiated FOSS Sustainability Fund by
OTF, designed to specifically address the financial and logistical
hurdles facing open source technologies today. Press download to
hear more! [00:01:41] Susan explains the OTF’s role as a non-profit
promoting internet freedom through anti-censorship and
anti-surveillance technologies, mainly funded by the U.S.
government but operates independently. [00:02:37] There’s a
comparison of OTF to Germany’s Sovereign Tech Fund, emphasizing
differences in funding despite both being government funded.
[00:03:51] There’s a discussion on how OTF funds projects like
Signal despite potential congressional controversies. [00:04:15]
Susan introduces the FOSS Sustainability Fund aimed at supporting
open source technologies for internet freedom. [00:06:15] Susan
gives details on the scale of the FOSS Sustainability Fund,
mentioning financial contributions from other private donors
alongside U.S. government funds. [00:07:34] We find out the details
of eligibility criteria for FOSS Sustainability Fund applicants, as
Susan emphasizes projects with a track record and active community
engagement. [00:09:00] Susan discusses the outcomes from the pilot
funding round, focusing on the importance of community meetings and
interaction. Also, she talks about exploration of sustainability as
a lifecycle, including potential sunsetting of projects,
emphasizing that sustainability might look different for each
project. [00:13:17] Susan talks about exploration of sustainability
as a lifecycle, including potential sunsetting of projects,
emphasizing that sustainability might look different for each
project. [00:15:19] Richard questions the approach of funding
projects that are charismatic and grant-savvy, instead of focusing
on lesser-known but critical projects, questioning the open
application process. Susan defends the open application process of
the Internet Freedom Fund, explaining it allows for a broader reach
and inclusivity, ensuring opportunities for lesser-known projects
to apply. [00:17:06] Richard asks if a small, unrelated project
like ‘right pad’ used by major projects can apply, leading to a
broader discussion on the relevance of small projects within
significant tools. Susan responds by focusing on the end-users’
needs, emphasizing the importance of even small projects if they
are critical to larger tools like Tails. [00:18:51] Susan
highlights the two-phase application process designed to guide
applicants efficiently, providing feedback and advice on project
fit and impact, and she describes the iterative application
process. [00:19:51] Eriol discusses the advisory aspect of OTF’s
application process, noting the interaction and intention of their
approach which aids applicants in refining their proposals. They
raise concerns about projects using sustainability funds to tackle
debt and asks how OTF views the alignment of tech debt resolution
with user-centric sustainability. [00:21:34] Susan elaborates on
distinguishing between tech debt and sustainability, advocating for
a balanced approach that includes both technical fixes and
enhancements in user engagement and governance. She stresses the
importance of having user feedback mechanisms and long-term
strategic planning as part of sustainable development, derived from
consultations with funded projects. [00:23:36] We learn about OTF’s
lab services, which support projects beyond funding, in areas like
security, usability, design, and communication, enhancing the
holistic support structure for open source sustainability.
[00:26:44] Richard asks if there are expectations for funded
projects to help guide their peers toward more sustainable
practices. Susan explains that while OTF shares a list of alternate
funding sources with applicants, the field remains underfunded, and
stresses the importance of sharing learning publicly to help
educate other funders and enhance funding efforts. [00:28:07]
Richard questions if there are requirements for projects to support
their dependencies or the broader ecosystem. Susan clarifies that
while there’s no mandate for projects to fund their dependencies,
OTF looks for projects that consider and support their dependencies
as part of their roadmap. [00:28:31] What is Susan’s long-term
vision for the fund? She wishes for significantly more funding to
support a greater number of projects and hopes for netter
coordination among funders and an increased focus on essential
aspects of sustainability. [00:29:32] Find out where you can learn
more about Susan and the OTF online. Quotes [00:04:35] “Since OTF
started back in 2012, we have only supported open source
technologies.” [00:08:04] “We’re looking to maintain and sustain.”
Spotlight [00:31:56] Richard’s spotlight is Naulakha (Rudyard
Kipling House) in Vermont. [00:32:27] Eriol’s spotlight is talking
to Code for Japan folks and their podcast called “Chit-Chat Code
Civictech Insights.” [00:33:36] Susan’s spotlight is thinking
deeply about FOSS Sustainability after reading IDE’s, ‘Roadwork
ahead: Evaluating the needs of FOSS communities working on digital
infrastructure in the public interest.’ Links SustainOSS
(https://sustainoss.org/) SustainOSS Twitter
(https://twitter.com/SustainOSS?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)
SustainOSS Discourse (https://discourse.sustainoss.org/)
podcast@sustainoss.org (mailto:podcast@sustainoss.org) SustainOSS
Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/tags/sustainoss) Open
Collective-SustainOSS (Contribute)
(https://opencollective.com/sustainoss) Richard Littauer Socials
(https://www.burntfen.com/2023-05-30/socials) Eriol Fox X/Twitter
(https://twitter.com/EriolDoesDesign?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)
Susan Kennedy LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-mary-kennedy/) Susan Kennedy
email (mailto:susan@opentech.fund) Open Technology Fund
(https://www.opentech.fund/) Open Technology Fund X/Twitter
(https://www.opentech.fund/) Open Technology Funds
(https://www.opentech.fund/funds/) Free and Open Source Software
Sustainability Fund
(https://www.opentech.fund/funds/free-and-open-source-software-sustainability-fund/)
Introducing the FOSS Sustainability Fund Pilot Projects (OTF)
(https://www.opentech.fund/news/introducing-the-foss-sustainability-fund-pilot-projects/)
Naulakha (Rudyard Kipling House)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naulakha_(Rudyard_Kipling_House))
Chit-Chat Code Civictech Insights Podcast
(https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chitchatcode) ‘Roadwork
ahead: Evaluating the needs of FOSS communities working on digital
infrastructure in the public interest.’
(https://recommendations.implicit-development.org/) Credits
Produced by Richard Littauer (https://www.burntfen.com/) Edited by
Paul M. Bahr at Peachtree Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/)
Show notes by DeAnn Bahr Peachtree Sound
(https://www.peachtreesound.com/) Special Guest: Susan Kennedy.