How-To Protocol for Open Source Activism Inc.: A Subsidiary Nonprofit under American Justice
Enterprises
This protocol provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for establishing and operating Open Source Activism Inc. (OSA Inc.) as a subsidiary nonprofit organization under American Justice Enterprises (AJE), a public benefit corporation focused on advocating for veterans’ rights and seeking restitution from unethical practices. OSA Inc. will leverage open source technologies to empower activism, particularly in areas of social justice, transparency, and community-driven advocacy. The goal is to create accessible, customizable tools for activists while aligning with AJE’s mission of justice and accountability.
Open source activism involves developing, sharing, and utilizing freely available software, data, and resources to facilitate grassroots movements. This includes tools for organizing events, secure communication, data analysis for advocacy, and platforms for public engagement. As a nonprofit subsidiary, OSA Inc. can focus on charitable activities, seek tax-exempt status, and collaborate with AJE for funding and strategic support.
Note: This protocol is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Consult with legal, financial, and tax professionals to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Assumptions are based on U.S. corporate structures, as AJE appears to be U.S.-based.
Section 1: Overview and Strategic Alignment
Mission and Vision
• Mission: OSA Inc. aims to democratize activism through open source tools, enabling individuals and organizations to fight injustice, promote transparency, and amplify marginalized voices, with a focus on veterans’ issues in alignment with AJE.
• Vision: Build a global ecosystem of open source activism resources that are secure, scalable, and community-maintained, reducing barriers to entry for justice-oriented campaigns.
• Alignment with AJE: As a subsidiary, OSA Inc. will support AJE’s efforts by developing tools for legal advocacy, veteran support networks, and exposing predatory practices (e.g., open source databases for tracking corporate misconduct).
Key Principles
• Open Source Ethos: All tools and resources developed must be licensed under permissive open source licenses (e.g., MIT, Apache 2.0) to encourage widespread adoption.
• Nonprofit Focus: Emphasize education, research, and tool distribution over profit, qualifying for 501(c)(3) status.
• Ethical Activism: Prioritize privacy, security, and inclusivity; avoid tools that could enable harm.
Section 2: Setting Up OSA Inc. as a Subsidiary Nonprofit
To establish OSA Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AJE, follow these steps. This assumes AJE is a Delaware public benefit corporation (common for such entities), but adjust for actual jurisdiction.
Step 1: Internal Planning and Approval (1-2 Months)
• Form a Steering Committee: Assemble a team from AJE leadership, potential OSA board members, legal experts, and tech activists. Define roles, budget, and initial projects (e.g., an open source app for veteran claim tracking).
• Conduct Feasibility Study: Assess market needs (e.g., survey activists on tool gaps), potential funding (grants, donations), and risks (cybersecurity, legal challenges).
• Obtain AJE Board Approval: Present a business plan outlining how OSA Inc. furthers AJE’s public benefit goals. Include projected costs, revenue streams (e.g., grants), and governance structure.
• Define Relationship: Draft a subsidiary agreement specifying control (AJE appoints board), funding (initial capital from AJE), and shared resources (e.g., AJE’s legal team).
Step 2: Legal Incorporation (2-4 Months)
• Choose Structure: Incorporate as a nonprofit corporation in the same state as AJE (e.g., Delaware for flexibility). Use “Inc.” to denote incorporation while pursuing nonprofit status.
• File Articles of Incorporation: Submit to the state secretary (e.g., via online portal). Include:
• Name: Open Source Activism Inc.
• Purpose: Charitable, educational, and scientific activities related to open source tools for activism.
• Registered Agent: AJE’s address or a service.
• Initial Directors: Appointed by AJE.
• Draft Bylaws: Outline governance, including board composition (mix of AJE reps and independent experts), meeting protocols, and conflict-of-interest policies.
• Apply for EIN: Obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS (free, online form SS-4).
• Seek Tax-Exempt Status: File IRS Form 1023 (or 1023-EZ if eligible) for 501(c)(3) status. Emphasize educational and charitable purposes. This can take 3-12 months; operate as a pending nonprofit in the interim.
• Register for State Exemptions: File for state tax exemptions and charitable solicitation permits if fundraising across states.
Step 3: Funding and Resource Allocation (Ongoing)
• Initial Funding: AJE provides seed capital (e.g., $50,000-100,000) as a grant or loan, documented to avoid tax issues.
• Diversify Sources: Apply for grants from foundations (e.g., Ford Foundation for tech activism), crowdfunding (e.g., GitHub Sponsors), and donations.
• Shared Resources: Utilize AJE’s infrastructure (office space, HR) under a services agreement to minimize costs.
Step 4: Compliance and Risk Management
• Governance Policies: Implement anti-discrimination, data privacy (GDPR/CCPA compliant), and open source contribution guidelines.
• Insurance: Obtain directors & officers (D&O) insurance and cyber liability coverage.
• Annual Filings: Submit IRS Form 990, state reports, and AJE oversight documents.
Section 3: Operational Protocol for Open Source Activism
Once established, follow this protocol to conduct activities. Focus on collaborative, transparent processes.
Step 1: Project Identification and Planning
• Needs Assessment: Use surveys, forums (e.g., GitHub discussions), and partnerships to identify activism gaps (e.g., secure messaging for whistleblowers).
• Project Proposal: Create a template including objectives, tech stack (e.g., Python, React), timeline, and impact metrics (e.g., user adoption).
• Approval Process: Submit to OSA board for review; align with AJE priorities.
Step 2: Development and Collaboration
• Open Source Workflow: Host all code on platforms like GitHub. Use version control (Git), issue tracking, and pull requests.
• Team Assembly: Recruit volunteers via AJE networks, open calls on social media, and hackathons. Include diverse contributors (veterans, coders, activists).
• Development Standards:
• Code Quality: Enforce linting, testing (e.g., pytest), and documentation.
• Security: Conduct audits (e.g., using OWASP guidelines) and use encrypted tools.
• Inclusivity: Follow contributor covenants (e.g., Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct).
• Tool Examples:
• Activism Platform: Build on existing open source like Mastodon for decentralized social networking.
• Data Tools: Create dashboards with Pandas/Streamlit for analyzing justice data (e.g., veteran loan defaults).
• Mobile Apps: Develop Android/iOS apps with Flutter for event organizing.
Step 3: Deployment and Promotion
• Release Process: Use CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions) for automated testing and deployment.
• User Training: Offer free webinars, tutorials, and documentation to educate activists.
• Marketing: Promote via AJE channels, social media, and partnerships (e.g., with NAACP or ACLU). Host events like “Open Source Justice Hackathons.”
Step 4: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Iteration
• Metrics Tracking: Measure success via downloads, contributions, campaign impacts (e.g., number of users helped).
• Feedback Loops: Regular community meetings and surveys to refine tools.
• Reporting: Quarterly reports to AJE board on activities, finances, and alignment.
• Scaling: Expand by forming chapters or collaborating with other nonprofits.
Section 4: Challenges and Best Practices
• Challenges: Funding shortages, contributor burnout, legal risks (e.g., DMCA takedowns for activism tools).
• Best Practices: Foster community ownership, prioritize mental health, and maintain transparency (e.g., public roadmaps).
• Sustainability: Aim for self-sufficiency through donations and grants; leverage AJE for long-term support.
By following this protocol, OSA Inc. can effectively advance open source activism while strengthening AJE’s justice mission. For updates or customization, refer to legal experts and adapt based on evolving needs.
