How Open Source Wishlist Works

Open Source Wishlist is the bridge between knowing what makes projects sustainable and actually getting there. Based on exsiting industry standards, we provide the missing vocabulary for maintainers to request specific help, the validated pathways to deliver it, and the metrics to prove it worked.

The Process

A simple three-step process that connects needs with resources

1. Maintainers Create Wishlists

Open source maintainers browse our catalogue of services and resources, then create a wishlist identifying critical needs for their project’s sustainability.

• Choose from curated services and resources
• Services include security audits, governance setup, funding strategy, and more
• Resources include infrastructure hosting, moderation tools, etc.
• Wishlists are currently public (transitioning to private for security)

2. Wishlist Sponsors Fund Wishes

Companies, foundations, and individuals who depend on open source step in to fund one or more wishes from a project’s wishlist.

• Browse active wishlists from projects you depend on
• Fund specific services or resources
• Funds managed through GitHub Sponsors or Open Collective
• Direct, measurable impact on project sustainability

3. Practitioners Deliver Services

Vetted open source practitioners with validated expertise are matched with funded wishes to deliver professional services.

• Practitioners meet quality standards set by OSS Wishlist
• Hired through our platform or provided by Wishlist Sponsors
• Work directly with maintainers on critical needs
• Fair compensation for expertise and labor

4. Peer Review Ensures Quality

After practitioners complete their work, peer review ensures the quality and completeness of deliverables.

• Playbooks include rubrics to assess outcomes
• Other practitioners and community experts review completed work
• Peer review validates that deliverables meet quality standards
• Ensures accountability and continuous improvement

Who’s Involved

Maintainers

The creators and stewards of open source projects who need support to maintain sustainable, healthy projects.

What you get:

• Access to expert services and resources
• No upfront costs
• Professional help in critical areas
• Support for long-term sustainability

Wishlist Sponsors

Companies, foundations, and individuals who depend on open source and want to invest in the health of projects they rely on.

What you get:

• Measurable, verifiable impact
• Direct support for projects you depend on
• Transparent use of funds
• Strengthened open source ecosystem

Practitioners

Experts in open source sustainability, security, governance, community building, and related fields who deliver professional services.

What you get:

• Fair compensation for expertise
• Meaningful work strengthening OSS
• Community of fellow practitioners
• Recognition for your expertise

Trusted Organizations

Trusted organizations that provide funding, vetted practitioners, or both to support open source sustainability at scale.

Current Partners:

• OpenSSF
• Sovereign Tech Fund

What Makes OSS Wishlist Different

Community-Owned and Supported

OSS Wishlist is a community-owned initiative, maintained and kept active through sponsorship. We’re committed to transparency and community governance.

Support the platform:

• Contribute to our Open Collective
• Support project maintainers through our GitHub Organization

Your contributions help us:

• Keep the platform running and maintained
• Support practitioners who build and improve OSS Wishlist
• Expand services and resources for the community

Human-Centered Support

While tools and automation are valuable, some problems require human expertise. We focus on connecting projects with experienced practitioners who can provide strategic guidance, hands-on help, and thoughtful solutions.

Curated Services

Our catalogue is carefully curated to address the most critical needs for project sustainability: security, governance, funding, community health, and infrastructure. We focus on quality over quantity.

Transparent and Accountable

Funds flow through established platforms like GitHub Sponsors or Open Collective. Work is documented and verifiable. Impact is measurable.

Ecosystem Approach

We bring together all the stakeholders in open source sustainability: maintainers who need help, sponsors who can provide it, practitioners who deliver services, and guardians who ensure quality and scale.