Annual Partner Dues

Financial Contribution Models

Samvera recognizes there is a diversity of organizations within the Community. As such, it has developed two models for providing contributions. The first applies to the class of Partners from academic, non-profit, or similarly situated institutions. The second applies to the class of Partners that are considered a Service Provider; that is, they provide services to others for a fee.

In addition, Samvera wants to value the in-kind contributions Partners bring to our Community, while also being cognizant that the Community needs a regular and sustainable source of income. To honor these contributions and to recognize that financial situations can fluctuate, a method has been devised for providing a discount to both classes of Partners should the Partner have a financial circumstance that necessitates the need to reduce their financial contribution to the Community. A Partner facing a financial difficulty should contact that Samvera Board, board@samvera.org.

Please note that in March 2024, the Samvera Partners and Samvera Board agreed to a 5% increase to Partner dues which will take effect January 1, 2025.

Academic or Non-Profit Institutions

Not all academic, non-profit, or similarly situated institutions are in a position to contribute large sums of money. In broad terms, the model allows that each Partner is expected to contribute financially per fiscal year based on their size.

Contribution Model

The contribution model outlined in Figure 1 refers to academic institutions, non-profits, and similarly situated organizations. 

 

Institution Classification (Based on JSTOR)

 

 

Sustain

Very Small

Small

Medium

Large

Very Large

JISC Bands

10, 9, 8

7, 6

5A, 5B

4, 3

2, 1

Minimum Contribution

$500

$1,000

$5,000

$7,500

$10,000

$15,000

Figure 1. Contribution Model for Academic, Non-Profit, and Similar Institutions

Note the contribution is what is required as a Samvera Partner at minimum, partners are welcome to contribute higher dollar amounts if they so wish. 

Samvera Service Providers

Not all Samvera’s service providers  are in a position to contribute large sums of money; many are small organizations that are tightly coupled to the Community. 

Contribution Model

The model provides that Samvera service providers pay an annual fee each fiscal year to the Samvera Community; the annual fees are based on the number of hours billed by the service provider on Samvera-based projects or hours spent on maintaining services for customers (e.g. hosting services) during Samvera’s fiscal year. Note that the number of billed hours is self-reported. It is expected that service providers are either tracking this information or can provide an estimation.

Samvera Service Provider Classification

 

Very Small

Small

Medium

Large

Very Large

Sustain

 

 

 

 

0 - 3000 Billed Hours

3001 - 7,500 Billed Hours

7,501 - 15,000 Billed Hours

15,001 - 22,500 Billed Hours

22,501+ Billed Hours

Minimum Contribution

$500

$1,000

$5,000

$7,500

$10,000

$15,000

Figure 2. Contribution Model for Samvera Service Providers

Note the contribution is what is required as a Samvera Partner at minimum, partners are welcome to contribute higher dollar amounts if they so wish.

Discount Process

In the eventuality of financial difficulty,  the Partner is asked to contact the Samvera Board (board@samvera.org) to discuss the issue further.