GeoGuru Fund
Support African developers attending FOSS4G conferences with transparent funding and a 2-year commitment to open source contribution
Our Mission
The GeoGuru Fund exists to break down financial barriers that prevent talented African developers from participating in the global FOSS4G community. We believe that geographic location and economic circumstances should not limit access to the transformative experiences that FOSS4G conferences provide.
FOSS4G conferences offer more than presentations - they provide hands-on workshops where developers learn new skills directly from experts, and community code sprints where contributors collaborate synchronously on real projects. These intensive working sessions accelerate learning, build confidence, and create lasting connections that transform one-time attendees into recurring contributors.
Transparent Cost Breakdown
We believe in complete transparency. Sending one African developer to a FOSS4G conference costs approximately R48,000 ZAR (approximately $3,000 USD at current exchange rates).
Detailed Budget Per Developer
| Category | Amount (ZAR) | Amount (USD) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flights | R22,000 | $1,375 | Round-trip economy flights from South Africa to conference location |
| Conference Registration | R8,800 | $533 | Regular registration (JPY 80,000) |
| Workshop Fees (2x) | R1,650 | $100 | Two workshop sessions (2 × JPY 7,500) |
| Accommodation | R5,000 | $313 | 7 nights basic accommodation (conference + travel days) |
| Meals and Per Diem | R5,000 | $313 | Daily meals not covered by conference |
| Visa and Travel Documents | R2,500 | $156 | Visa fees, travel insurance |
| Local Transportation | R1,500 | $94 | Airport transfers, local transit |
| Contingency | R1,750 | $109 | Emergency buffer |
| TOTAL | R48,200 | $3,013 |
Exchange rates used: 16 ZAR = 1 USD, 150 JPY = 1 USD
All funds are used exclusively for conference attendance. No administrative overhead is taken from donations.
Impact Story: Peter’s Journey
Peter Smythe’s story demonstrates the transformative power of FOSS4G conference participation - and the missed opportunities when developers can’t stay for the full experience.
In 2018, Peter attended his first FOSS4G conference in Tanzania, courtesy of AfriGIS. Those peer presentations and workshop sessions sparked a journey that would change his career trajectory. But he had to leave before the post-conference code sprint - a missed opportunity he still regrets. Had he known more about the value of code sprints, he would have stayed. These collaborative working sessions, where contributors code alongside the project maintainers in real-time, are where many developers make their first proper contributions and build the confidence to continue.
Despite missing the sprint, Peter started contributing - beginning with documentation improvements to GeoServer, following the Kaizen philosophy of incremental progress. That initial contribution led to more. Peter became a trusted community member, then a Release Manager coordinating GeoTools/GeoWebCache/GeoServer releases. His dedication and expertise earned him a position on the GeoServer Project Steering Committee (PSC), where he now helps guide the project’s future.
Today, Peter (and AfriGIS) is recognised as a GeoServer Core Contributor, and his employer AfriGIS has been acknowledged by the GeoServer community for their contributions to the project. Imagine how much faster this journey could have been with that first code sprint experience.
This is why GeoGuru Fund covers the full conference experience - including workshops and code sprints - so other African developers don’t miss these transformative opportunities.
Funded Developer Requirements
We invest in developers who are committed to long-term open source contribution. Funded developers must meet these requirements:
Before Funding
- Active GitHub profile demonstrating coding ability
- Clear motivation statement explaining their interest in GeoServer and FOSS4G
Commitment Requirements
- 2-year contribution commitment to GeoServer or related geospatial open source projects
- Minimum 20 hours per month of contribution time
- Active participation in community discussions and code reviews
Reporting Requirements
- 6-month progress reports documenting contributions made
- Public GitHub activity showing ongoing engagement
- Participation in GeoServer community channels (Discourse forum/mailing lists, GitHub pull requests)
What We Provide
- Full conference funding (economy flights, basic accommodation, registration, meals)
- Workshop participation - Hands-on learning sessions with expert instructors
- Code sprint attendance - Post-conference collaborative coding sessions where contributors work alongside project maintainers
- Pre-conference mentorship and preparation
- Introduction to key community members
- Post-conference support and guidance
- Ongoing mentorship through the GeoGuru team
How to Support
Every donation directly funds a developer’s conference attendance. Your contribution helps build a more diverse and inclusive global FOSS4G community.
Donation Options
Open Collective (Recommended for transparency)
Donate via Open Collective - Full financial transparency with public ledger
GitHub Sponsors
Sponsor via GitHub - Support through GitHub’s platform
Direct Transfer
Contact us at info@geoguru.africa for direct bank transfer details (South African and international options available)
Donation Levels
- $3,013 (R48,200) - Fund one developer’s complete conference attendance
- $1,375 (R22,000) - Cover flights for one developer
- $533 (R8,800) - Cover conference registration for one developer
- Any amount - Every contribution helps us reach our funding goals
Our Commitment to Transparency
We maintain complete financial transparency:
- All donations and expenses are publicly documented
- Regular updates on funded developers and their progress
- Annual impact reports showing community contributions from funded developers
- Open communication about funding needs and goals
Current Funding Status
We are actively fundraising for the 2026 FOSS4G conference season. Our goal is to send 2 African developers to the FOSS4G conference in Japan this August, establishing a sustainable foundation for long-term impact.
Progress: Fundraising in progress
Goal: $6,026 USD (R96,400 ZAR) = 2 developers × $3,013 each
Current: Building our donor base
Get Involved
Beyond financial support, you can help by:
- Sharing our mission with your network
- Connecting us with potential sponsors
- Mentoring funded developers
- Providing conference scholarship opportunities
- Offering employment opportunities to our alumni
Contact
Have questions about the fund or want to discuss corporate sponsorship?
Email: info@geoguru.africa
Together, we can build a truly global FOSS4G community that includes talented developers from across Africa.