Applications are now open for the Nonprofit Open Source Partnership, a new initiative designed to help technology-focused nonprofits transform their existing software into publicly accessible, documented, and reusable open source tools.
The partnership brings together Bloomberg, Develop for Good, CodeDay, and Fast Forward to provide selected organizations with no-cost technical support, student developer teams, mentorship, project guidance, and open source expertise.
As the founding cohort of the partnership, selected nonprofits will also have an opportunity to help shape the programme as it develops.
The initiative is aimed at nonprofits that already have a software tool they are ready to make open source or organizations that depend on an existing open source project and need technical support to contribute to it.
Applications close on 9 September 2026.
Closing the Gap Between Building Software and Making It Open Source
Many nonprofits develop technology to solve important challenges facing their communities and the sectors they serve. However, building a useful tool is only one part of making technology available to a wider audience.
Transforming software into a genuinely useful open source resource requires additional work. Organizations may need to address licensing, documentation, public accessibility, technical contributions, and the preparation of systems so that other organizations can understand, adopt, and potentially build upon them.
These activities require time and specialist expertise that many nonprofit organizations may not have available internally.
The Nonprofit Open Source Partnership has been created to help close this gap.
Through the programme, a small group of selected technology-focused nonprofits will receive dedicated technical support to help convert an existing tool into an open source project, strengthen documentation, or contribute to an open source project that their organization already relies on.
The goal is to support the creation and improvement of publicly accessible and reusable technology that can potentially benefit both the participating organization and others in the nonprofit ecosystem.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is aimed at technology nonprofits with a relevant software project.
Eligible organizations should have one of the following:
- An existing software tool that they are ready to open source.
- An existing open source project that they already rely on and would like technical support to contribute to.
The programme is particularly suited to organizations that have already moved beyond the initial idea stage and have a specific project ready for technical collaboration.
Nonprofits should also be prepared to work actively with the programme team throughout the full 16-week period.
A designated point of contact from the participating nonprofit must be available to provide feedback, attend check-ins, and collaborate with the student developers and mentors.
What Selected Nonprofits Will Receive
One of the major benefits of the Nonprofit Open Source Partnership is the scale of technical support available at no cost to the participating organization.
Selected nonprofits will receive a dedicated team of eight vetted and trained college student volunteer developers.
The team will work on the nonprofit’s project over a period of 16 weeks, providing approximately 800 hours of technical work per team.
Support will include:
- A dedicated team of eight college student developers.
- Approximately 800 hours of technical work.
- A 16-week structured programme.
- Weekly check-ins with student developers.
- Technical support and guidance.
- Project management support.
- Team coaching to help maintain progress and quality.
- Open source best-practices guidance.
- Weekly guidance from experienced Bloomberg employee volunteers.
- Support with converting an existing tool into an open source resource.
- Support with documentation and technical contributions.
- Assistance in making project outputs publicly accessible and reusable.
The final output is intended to be publicly accessible, appropriately licensed, and documented for future use.
Support from Students and Industry Mentors
The programme combines student technical talent with structured support and industry mentorship.
Develop for Good will conduct weekly check-ins with the student teams and provide wrap-around support in areas including technical guidance, project management, and team coaching.
This structure is intended to help keep projects on track throughout the 16-week programme.
Participating organizations will also benefit from weekly guidance from experienced Bloomberg employee volunteers who are invested in the success of the projects.
In addition, CodeDay will provide guidance on open source best practices.
This combination means participating nonprofits will receive support not only for completing technical tasks but also for preparing projects to function effectively as open source resources.
What Will Participating Nonprofits Need to Commit?
Although the programme provides its technical support at no cost, participating nonprofits must be prepared to contribute time and engagement to the collaboration.
Each organization needs a point of contact who can commit approximately two to three hours per week for 16 weeks.
This time will be used for:
- Regular check-ins.
- Providing feedback to the development team.
- Answering questions about the project.
- Collaborating with student developers.
- Engaging with industry mentors.
- Helping ensure the work remains aligned with the nonprofit’s goals.
Organizations should therefore ensure they have an appropriate team member who can remain actively involved throughout the programme.
The nonprofit must also have a project or tool that is sufficiently developed and ready for open source work, or a clearly identified open source project where technical contributions can be made.
Why Open Source Technology Matters for Nonprofits
Open sourcing a software tool can create opportunities for technology to reach beyond the organization that originally developed it.
When a project is properly licensed, documented, and publicly accessible, other organizations and developers may be able to understand, reuse, adapt, or contribute to the technology.
However, preparing software for this type of wider use can be challenging, especially for smaller organizations with limited technical capacity.
The Nonprofit Open Source Partnership provides selected organizations with an opportunity to receive structured support for this process while working alongside student developers and experienced mentors.
For nonprofits with technology that could have broader public value, the programme offers a practical pathway towards making that work more accessible and reusable.
Important Programme Timeline
Interested nonprofits should take note of the following dates:
- 9 September 2026: Nonprofit applications close.
- 2 October 2026: Selected nonprofits notified.
- 25 October 2026: Programme kickoff.
- 20 February 2027: Final project delivery.
Because this is the founding cohort and only a small group of nonprofits is expected to participate, eligible organizations may wish to prepare their applications early.
How to Apply
Interested technology nonprofits should submit an application through the official programme application form.
Organizations should ensure they have a suitable project ready for open source development or an existing open source project that would benefit from additional technical contributions.
Applicants should also identify a point of contact who can commit the required two to three hours per week during the 16-week programme.
Opportunity at a Glance
Programme: Nonprofit Open Source Partnership
Type of Support: No-cost technical and open source support
Who Can Apply: Technology-focused nonprofits
Developer Team: 8 vetted college student developers
Programme Duration: 16 weeks
Technical Support: Approximately 800 hours per project team
Participation: Remote
Additional Support: Weekly mentorship, technical guidance, project management and open source best-practice support
Nonprofit Time Commitment: Approximately 2–3 hours per week
Application Deadline: 9 September 2026
Programme Kickoff: 25 October 2026
Final Delivery: 20 February 2027
Official Application: Apply for the Nonprofit Open Source Partnership
Eligible nonprofits are encouraged to apply before the deadline and carefully consider whether they have an existing project that is ready to benefit from focused technical support and open source development.
