How does openDemocracy derive its income?
The openDemocracy Board has approved a business plan for 2012 and beyond which seeks to move away from reliance on the grant funding which helped establish the site in its first ten years. Our goal is to increase the share of revenue that comes from our loyal readership over the coming years, as well as from supportive organisations which share openDemocracy's values. Grant funding will still support specific projects and our established, and new Sections.
openDemocracy's business plan has a number of revenue streams:
- Members & Friends scheme
- Organisational subscribers
- Editorial projects & partnerships
- Support fees from Sections
- Advertising & republishing fees
- Core operation or business development Grants
What are openDemocracy's costs?
Over recent years openDemocracy has drastically reduced its running costs and the main site & core administrative functions have an annual budget of less than £250,000. We now need to expand this to increase the support needed to maintain an efficient membership network, as well as strengthen the main editorial team. Keeping the website up to date in an increasingly competitive digital world will also take more resources in the longer term.
