democratic open-data foundation

OpenStreetMap Foundation

A democratic open-data foundation supporting OpenStreetMap, free geographic data, and community-governed mapping infrastructure. OpenStreetMap Foundation scores well because ownership is comparatively aligned and the model leaves more value with stakeholders, and no current penalty outweighs that structure.

Why this matters: Open maps are a practical alternative to proprietary location infrastructure controlled by platform companies.

Letter grade A Good Medium confidence (AI) Rubric gcd-rubric-v1 Last reviewed May 6, 2026

Final Score 64* A - Good

AGOOD64 pts

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

Base Material56

Bonus+8

Cap66No structure cap

After Cap64

Penalties0

!Not Verified

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Evaluation Overview

A - Good

The score turns mainly on Ownership; no penalty currently dominates the evaluation.

Strengths

Ownership9/10
Extraction9/10
Governance8/10

Penalties

No penalties applied in this version.

Evidence state

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)
ThoroughnessPartial (AI)
Linked claims6
Direct axis claims6
Coverage6/13

Scoring Axes

Axis	Score	Why this score
Ownership ? Control rights: shareholder-dominated at 0, worker cooperative control at 10.	9 / 10	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Ownership: decisive control is held by workers, users, members, or another stakeholder class rather than outside capital. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 201 scored entries below, 5 tied, 20 above on Ownership. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Governance ? Binding decision authority: centralized control at 0, democratic stakeholder control at 10.	8 / 10	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Governance: binding decisions are meaningfully answerable to people inside or affected by the institution. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 192 scored entries below, 14 tied, 20 above on Governance. Linked evidence OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1]
Extraction ? Surplus allocation, wage share, CEO pay ratio, margins, and structured extraction judgment.	9 / 10	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Extraction: surplus is structurally routed toward workers, producers, users, or public benefit instead of being primarily captured upward. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 208 scored entries below, 18 tied, 0 above on Extraction. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Labor Sovereignty ? Worker power: coercive conditions at 0, co-determination or ownership at 7. Employee dissatisfaction matters only when source-backed evidence shows concrete limits on worker agency, such as coercive scheduling, retaliation, wage theft, harassment, unsafe conditions, suppression of worker voice, or extreme turnover.	5 / 7	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation in the middle of Labor Sovereignty: workers or participants have some protection or agency, but not enough binding power to control the relationship. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 152 scored entries below, 40 tied, 34 above on Labor Sovereignty. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Solidarity with the Unemployed ? Treatment of exits and nonworkers, including severance, redeployment, and non-competes.	5 / 7	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation in the middle of Solidarity with the Unemployed: some access, severance, retraining, openness, or mutual-aid value is present, but it is not central or durable. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 158 scored entries below, 38 tied, 30 above on Solidarity with the Unemployed. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Loss-Bearing Fidelity ? Willingness to absorb costs to preserve values, workers, users, and public obligations.	6 / 7	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Loss-Bearing Fidelity: the institution is structured to absorb real costs rather than shifting losses onto weaker parties. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 163 scored entries below, 54 tied, 9 above on Loss-Bearing Fidelity. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Market Conduct ? Pricing fairness, switching costs, lock-in, and rent extraction.	5 / 5	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Market Conduct: pricing, access, switching, and bargaining practices show restraint compared with ordinary rent-seeking competitors. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 180 scored entries below, 46 tied, 0 above on Market Conduct. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Product Integrity ? Preservation of quality rather than degradation for monetization.	5 / 5	The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Product Integrity: the core offering is genuinely useful and comparatively less dependent on traps, degradation, or harmful dependencies. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 134 scored entries below, 92 tied, 0 above on Product Integrity. Linked evidence The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]
Scale Integrity ? Whether growth improves or degrades fairness and accountability.	4 / 5	The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. The linked record identifies OpenStreetMap Foundation as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. That places OpenStreetMap Foundation high on Scale Integrity: growth appears compatible with accountability, quality, and stakeholder benefit. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 109 scored entries below, 81 tied, 36 above on Scale Integrity. Linked evidence context OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database. [1] context The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [2]

Penalties

No penalties applied in this version.

Bonus Credits

Bonus	Credit	Why this credit
Openness to Dissent ? Credit for tolerating internal, user, customer, worker, and public dissent without retaliation, capture, or viewpoint laundering.	2 / 3	OSMF states that membership is open to people who want to support the project and participate in its democratic process. OSMF states that membership is open to people who want to support the project and participate in its democratic process. That supports partial Openness to Dissent credit because people can criticize, dissent, or challenge the institution without being managed into silence. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 200 scored entries below, 15 tied, 11 above on Openness to Dissent. Linked evidence OSMF states that membership is open to people who want to support the project and participate in its democratic process. [3]
Constitutional Spirit ? Credit for respecting constitutional rights and civil-liberties norms even where private law does not strictly require it.	2 / 3	OSMF’s mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. OSMF’s mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. That supports partial Constitutional Spirit credit because the institution respects speech, privacy, due process, conscience, or civil-liberties norms beyond bare legal compulsion. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 188 scored entries below, 23 tied, 15 above on Constitutional Spirit. Linked evidence OSMF’s mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data. [4]
Good Deal ? Credit for unusually fair value: durable quality, fair pricing, low lock-in, and clear customer surplus.	3 / 3	OpenStreetMap Foundation supports free and open map data available to everyone, creating unusually high user and developer value. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 200 scored entries below, 26 tied, 0 above on Good Deal. Linked evidence OpenStreetMap Foundation supports free and open map data available to everyone, creating unusually high user and developer value. [5]
Cost Transparency ? Credit for clear posted prices, all-in fees, unit costs, public rate cards, margin/cost visibility, or surplus-allocation transparency, especially in markets where opaque quotes, hidden fees, or individualized pricing are normal.	1 / 3	OSMF publishes public finance materials and financial information for the project foundation. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Column-spectrum position: 189 scored entries below, 11 tied, 26 above on Cost Transparency. Linked evidence OSMF publishes public finance materials and financial information for the project foundation. [6]

Confidence Basis

Confidence is computed from the evidence trail and review state, not typed into the profile by hand.

Medium 69/100

6 verified linked claims 6 direct axis claims 0 disputed claims 6/13 components covered

This confidence label measures the source-backed evidence trail. AI-scaffolded scores remain tentative until human review.

Claim confidence 19/20

6 verified linked claims

Source quality 10/18

Best source per verified claim, weighted by institutional reliability

Direct axis-specific claims 6/18

6 direct claims across 13 active components

Dispute load 12/12

0 disputed claims on this entity

Recency 10/10

Newest accepted timestamp: May 13, 2026

Reviewer status 7/12

Human-reviewed components score higher than AI scaffolding

Component coverage 5/10

6/13 evidence-bearing components have direct support

Evidence State

Profile stateAI draft / human-pending

VerificationUnverified

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)

ThoroughnessPartial (AI)

Correction routeUse “Challenge this rating” for factual errors, missing counterevidence, source problems, or calculation mistakes.

Company responseCompany representatives can submit source-backed corrections; payment never changes scores or reviewer authority.

Claims and Sources

Claims are the evidence record. Each claim needs a source link, axis category, status, confidence level, and timestamp before it can support a score.

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

1OpenStreetMap Foundation describes itself as an international, not-for-profit, democratic organization supporting OSM and protecting the OSM database.

Governance Verified High confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 6, 2026

AI scaffold

OSMF mission statementGeneral web source · 58%

2The OSMF mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data.

Product Integrity Verified High confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 6, 2026

AI scaffold

OSMF mission statementGeneral web source · 58%

3OSMF states that membership is open to people who want to support the project and participate in its democratic process.

Openness To Dissent Verified High confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

OSMF mission statementGeneral web source · 58%

4OSMF’s mission is to make the OpenStreetMap database available to all as free and open data.

Constitutional Spirit Verified High confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

OSMF mission statementGeneral web source · 58%

5OpenStreetMap Foundation supports free and open map data available to everyone, creating unusually high user and developer value.

Good Deal Verified High confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

OSMF mission statementGeneral web source · 58%

6OSMF publishes public finance materials and financial information for the project foundation.

Cost Transparency Verified Medium confidence Human-reviewed May 7, 2026

OSMF financesGeneral web source · 58%

Alternatives

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Competitors

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Civic Note

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Audit Log

Recent public changes for this company or group. The full audit log is part of the Transparency record.

May 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC ai-scaffolding

Added source-backed tentative evaluation during the A-grade/public-interest and nonobvious extraction expansion pass.

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