Foundation/Local Chapters/United States
| United States | openstreetmap.us | Projects | Tags | TIGER fixup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenStreetMap US | Users | Data Imports | Resources | Category |
This is the official page for OpenStreetMap U.S., a 501(c)(3) charity advocating and supporting OpenStreetMap in the United States. OpenStreetMap U.S. is a local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation. Some of the United States OSM community resources are found on the OpenStreetMap U.S. website.
History
- Main article: Foundation/Local Chapters/United States/History
OpenStreetMap U.S. was first proposed in 2009 and was incorporated on April 19, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The inaugural State of the Map U.S. conference took place in August 2010.
In September 2020, OpenStreetMap U.S. officially became a local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation.
Mission
OpenStreetMap US strives to support the OpenStreetMap project in the United States through fostering awareness, ensuring broad availability of data, continuous quality improvement, and an active community.
Strategic Planning 2020
In 2020, OpenStreetMap US leadership came together to define a vision and strategic priorities for the organization that would complement our longstanding mission and provide guidance for the organization in the coming years. Below is the work that resulted from this year-long process.
Vision
As we work to manifest our mission, we envision a future where communities:
- Have the knowledge, tools and support they need to use the power of OpenStreetMap to improve their world by mapping their world.
- Are building digital literacy by accessing and contributing to OpenStreetMap for community benefit that contributes to a just and equitable society.
- Inspire and support new leaders who carry forward and shape the future of OpenStreetMap as a trusted map and community.
Strategic Priorities
- Maximize the impact and value of OpenStreetMap and our community.
- Grow and sustain a thriving, connected OpenStreetMap US community with representation from and in all sectors.
- Deepen educational and outreach efforts, with a focus on developing emerging leaders in ways that broaden equity and diversity in OpenStreetMap
How can you participate?
Map in OpenStreetMap
Contribute to OSM through mapping parties, individual mapping and OSM editing, and local mapping events like our Mapathons!
Become a member of OpenStreetMap US
Join OpenStreetMap U.S. as a member
- Regular Member: This is our main membership tier. As a Regular member, you able to vote for the OpenStreetMap US board, are given a 20% discount to the annual State of the Map US conference, and receive regular updates about the organization.
- Supporting Member: As a supporting member, your additional gift sustains our work to educate, engage, & connect through OpenStreetMap. Supporting members can vote for the OSM US Board and receive a 25% discount to all paid OSM US events.
- Donor Member: As a Donor member, your support is the foundation of our membership program. Donor members can vote for the OSM US Board and receive a 30% discount to all paid OSM US events. We are grateful for your support!
- Student Member: We offer a $5 membership discount to students. At this tier you are able to vote for the OSM US board and receive a 20% discount to the State of the Map US conference.
Volunteer for a committee or at an upcoming event
Get in touch to volunteer or support!
Attend or lead a Virtual Event
Visit our Events page to find or add an event near you!
Programs
TeachOSM
Led by a volunteer steering committee, TeachOSM provides educator training, content and curriculum for integrating OSM in the classroom, and advocates for OSM in educational settings. Started in 2013 as a grassroots project by educators for educators, TeachOSM is now a program under OpenStreetMap US, a nonprofit organization that supports the OpenStreetMap project in the United States through education, data, and membership services. Learn more on the wiki page or visit the TeachOSM website.
Mapping for Impact
Mapping for Impact is a community partnership program led by OpenStreetMap US to support organizations in civic, environmental, and social sectors to solve targeted challenges and data gaps across the US using OpenStreetMap. Through Mapping for Impact, OpenStreetMap US works to:
- Create data that is needed, where it’s needed. There are still unmapped places in the United States. By working with partnering organizations, we can focus efforts and energy on completing mapping projects with direct impact. And by focusing mapping efforts through tools such as MapRoulette and the Tasking Manager, we can help ensure that the data that is mapped meet the quality standards our community expects and our partners need.
- Connect mappers with partners. OpenStreetMap US collaborates with local groups on how to support Mapping for Impact partners when and where geographies overlap. Where on-the-ground mapping and support are needed, we’ll need the support of local mapping groups, meetups, and individual mappers based in those areas.
- Catalyze meaningful learning opportunities for students. In collaboration with TeachOSM, we’re developing lessons for educators to bring Mapping for Impact to the classroom. This will provide educators with service-based learning opportunities with direct impact here in the US. In the future, we would love to create opportunities for university students and groups to further engage with these partners.
Mapping for Impact projects are also documented as Organized Editing Activities here. If you have any questions, concerns, or want to get involved with Mapping for Impact, please contact OSM US Program Director Jess Beutler at [email protected]
Mapping for Impact Partners & Projects
| Partner | Project | Status | Description | Hashtag(s) | Communication | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KABOOM! | Mapping for Playspace Equity in Philadelphia -
TM Project #252 |
Completed & Validated | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping playgrounds in Philadelphia. Remotely mapping playgrounds will provide KABOOM! data on the number and size of playspaces in Philadelphia. After completing remote mapping, there will be opportunities for local mappers to support by filling in features with quality data on the ground. KABOOM! is the national nonprofit that works to end playspace inequity for good. We define playspace inequity as a lack of access to and a sense of belonging in quality playspaces due to the effects of systemic racism in communities across the country. Read more about the project and partnership here. | #kaboom #mapping-for-impact #play-mapping | #play-mapping channel on OSM US Slack | Jess Beutler |
| Parks & Playspace Mapping in Colorado - | Completed & Validated | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping parks & playspaces in Colorado (Otero County, Rio Grande County, East Colfax Corridor). The Colorado Health Foundation is supporting KABOOM! to develop a strategic roadmap that details not only where playgrounds are, but their condition- enabling KABOOM!, community members, municipal leaders, and other philanthropic partners to accurately understand what playspace inequity looks like within these communities and address it through advocacy and data-guided investment. This playspace location data will become the basis of this roadmap. | #mapping-for-impact
#play-mapping #kaboom-co | |||
| Rising Tide Effect | Swimming Pools in NYC | Active Mapping | Rising Tide Effect is working to reduce social inequity and make our communities safer for children and parents by sharing the aquatic experience. You can help support this cause by mapping indoor and outdoor swimming facilities, and adding critical details where possible, in New York. Mapping these features will provide Rising Tide Effect with to help advocate for and improve youth access to swimming facilities. | #mapping-for-impact #risingtideeffect-nyc | #swimming-pools channel on OSM US Slack |
Projects
Charter Projects
With the OSM US Charter Project program, OpenStreetMap US actively encourages the development of tools, programs and services that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the OpenStreetMap platform in the United States, and beyond. The Charter Project program provides a framework for long term stewardship and is loosely based on the fiscal sponsorship model for governance of non-profit organizations. Projects are given a home and the ability to fundraise through the OpenStreetMap US organization, a 501(c)(3) charity incorporated in Washington, DC. Applications are open on the OSM US website and reviewed on a rolling basis. If you think your initiative may be a good fit to become an official OSM US Charter Project, we would love to learn more and get to know you! Check out the Guidelines document here.
Current charter projects:
- Maproulette (since 2023) [1]
- OpenHistoricalMap (since 2021)[2]
- OSMCha (since 2023)[3]
Community Projects
To compliment the existing Charter Project program, OpenStreetMap US launched the Community Project program in September 2024. This program provides increased visibility and modest financial support to foster the growth of small-scale, low-budget, volunteer-run initiatives that support the mission of OSM US. Applications are now open on the OSM US website and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Public Domain Map
Public Domain Map (PDM) is a project of OpenStreetMap US to develop a toolstack that will allow map contributors across the United States to edit, contribute to, and consume federal datasets via a collaborative user environment and OpenStreetMap tools; simultaneously improving government datasets and OpenStreetMap. Learn more on the official website of the project.
12 Months of OSM
12 Months of OpenStreetMap was inspired by the Project of the Month done by mappers in France, Switzerland and Germany. See the French wiki page Projet du mois and the German "Wochenaufgabe for examples. Setting a monthly theme provides the opportunity to learn and work together around a certain OpenStreetMap theme and can also used for targeted data improvement in under mapped places in the US. Learn more and check out the monthly themes here.
US Trails Stewardship Initiative
- Main article: United States/Trails Stewardship Initiative
OpenStreetMap US is leading efforts to support responsible mapping of trails on recreational land in the United States. Many outdoor navigation apps rely on OpenStreetMap data to determine where trails exist and what types of travel are allowed on them. In late 2021 OSM US was approached by a land manager for support in improving the data. In response, OpenStreetMap US formed the Trails Working Group to help address how applications use OpenStreetMap data and the impacts on trail navigation. Bringing together a diversity of perspectives on trail mapping practices, trail safety, and protecting the environment, this group is working to address on-the-ground challenges, tagging schemes, authoritative data, and other topics related to mapping trails in OSM. The work of this group will be the basis for the implementation of a national campaign.
Events
Visit the Events page for opportunities!
State of the Map US
The State of the Map US (SOTMUS) conference is the annual, regional conference for OpenStreetMap in the United States. Organized by OpenStreetMap US it has been held each year since 2010. Please note that regional SotMs like SOTMUS are organised exclusively by local teams, which run their own sponsorship programs and have separate budgets from the OpenStreetMap Foundation. Interested in hosting the next event? Learn more on the State of the Map US Planning page!
Mappy Hours
OpenStreetMap US hosts various remote "Mappy Hours" on different topics, usually every other week (once a month during summer months).
Geo-Ladies Meetups
OpenStreetMap US periodically hosts Geo-Ladies Night bringing together the women in the OpenStreetMap US community (and beyond), typically every 6 months. Expect to meet like-minded women from the OpenStreetMap community, connect, network, and converse on ways we can engage and empower more women through OSM. Event attendees will be limited to anyone who perceives themself as a woman. This women-only event is meant to create a safe space for participation by women and encourage diversity in OSM. Join the #geo-ladies channel in the OSM US Slack for ongoing discussion and announcements for future events.
Past Geo-Ladies events:
- Monday, March 8, 2021 (Presented as: International Women's Day - Ladies Night Mappy Hour)
- Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Working groups and committees
Interested in volunteering in the US in addition to mapping? Working groups/committees are a great way to work together to support and grow our community. Members will be encouraged to develop their own definitions, meeting schedules, budgets and terms of reference. Interested in forming a committee or working group around a particular topic? Get in touch!
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee provides oversight of the OpenStreetMap US community and membership with the aim of fostering a diverse and inclusive community by creating a safe and respectful environment and organized structure for participation. The OpenStreetMap US Governance Committee is established to oversee the OpenStreetMap US Code of Conduct moderation, conflict of interest, and membership voting processes, as well as provide governance recommendations to the OpenStreetMap US Board of Directors where and when necessary in regards to membership and community.
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group is composed of volunteers who implement open mapping in educational programming within academic, vocational, and other settings. The EWG is facilitated by TeachOSM. Interested participants can join at our Meetup page.
Event Planning Committee(s)
Volunteers are integral to the planning of major events hosted by OpenStreetMap US, including State of the Map US, Mapping USA, and Connect 2020. Interested in supporting an upcoming event? Email [email protected].
Government Working Group
The mission of the OpenStreetMap (OSM) and U.S. Government Working Group is to seek out mutually beneficial relationships between the public and open data communities. Committee members meet once per month and include representatives from DOT, USGS, FRA, FAA, NPS, Census, CDC, FEMA, FWS, ORNL, state and local governments. Interested in getting involved? Sign up on using the form on the OSM US website.
Trails Working Group
Formed in October 2021, Trails Working Group members will lead efforts to support responsible mapping of trails on recreational land in the United States. Interested in joining the conversation? Indicate your interest using the Get Involved form on the trails page on the OSM US website. Please see also the Trails Stewardship Initiative page.
Pedestrian Working Group
Announced in February 2024, the Pedestrian Working Group is a space where organizations and individuals collaborate to develop guidance and tools for detailed mapping of pedestrian infrastructure. They are developing suggested guidance for a tiered schema in order to meet the evolving demands by both institutions and users for complete and updated pedestrian data for use in decision-making, improved routing, and accessibility applications.
Former Working Groups
- The Local Working Group was organized to support local groups and activities but is not currently active. For a great list of Local OSM Groups see WikiProject United States. There are groups in major cities across the United States.
- The Code of Conduct Committee has been expanded into the Governance Committee. The Code of Conduct Committee was organized in January 2020 to lead efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive OpenStreetMap US community by creating a safe and respectful communications environment through the review and expansion of the Code of Conduct to apply to OpenStreetMap US communications channels.
Technical resources
OpenStreetMap U.S. previously offered server access to interested parties. The servers were used to host openstreetmap.us and TopOSM. Hosting costs were donated by visi.com and OSU's Open Source Lab. Please contact Ian Dees with any questions.
Governance
Executive Director
Maggie Cawley has served as the Executive Director since stepping down from the Board of Directors in 2019. [1]
Previous executive directors: Jaye Matthews (2018) [2]
Board of Directors
Board of Directors for 2024–2026:
- Harrison Devine (Treasurer)
- Levente Juhász (Vice President)
Board of Directors for 2023–2025:
- Diane Fritz (President)
- Priyanka Miller (At-Large)
- Matthew Whilden (Secretary)
See a list of previous boards and a board election history.
Meetings
The Board of Directors and Executive Director hold hour-long meetings once a month. (Until 2017, the meetings were held weekly.) By default, monthly board meetings are not open to the general public, but if you are interested in joining a particular meeting, please e-mail [email protected] in advance. We conduct board meetings in Google Meet, which requires a Google account. Minutes are published after they are approved at the following meeting.
Annual General Meetings are held as part of State of the Map U.S. OSM US also holds periodic town hall–style meetings, including before each board election, that are open to the general public.
Financial reports
Contact OpenStreetMap U.S. for financial information.
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The OpenStreetMap U.S. is incorporated as of April 19, 2010.
- Articles of Incorporation (Incorporation certification)
- Original Bylaws
- Bylaws as amended by membership vote in 2022.
Code of Conduct
In May 2020, OpenStreetMap US adopted a new code of conduct and moderation process prepared by the CoC Committee and reviewed by the U.S. community:
- Code of Conduct
- Process for Moderation
- Governance Committee (formerly the Code of Conduct Committee)
References
- ↑ “MapRoulette joins OSM US as a Charter Project”. OpenStreetMap U.S.. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ↑ Cawley, Maggie (May 26, 2021). “OpenHistoricalMap Welcomed As An OSM US Charter Project”. OpenStreetMap U.S. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ↑ “Welcoming OSMCha as an OSM US Charter Project”. OpenStreetMap U.S.. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.