Local Contexts: Transitioning from Project to Non Profit Organization
2021–2024
Local Contexts is a global initiative that supports Indigenous communities with tools that can reassert cultural authority in heritage collections and data. By focusing on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Local Contexts helps Indigenous communities repatriate knowledge and gain control over how data is collected, managed, displayed, accessed, and used in the future.
Challenge
The goal was to establish Local Contexts as a non-profit entity and transform from a group of grant-supported activities to an organization with a coordinated operational and services plan and sustainable funding, all of this to sustain community engagement and facilitate adoption of Local Contexts Notices and Labels on a global scale.
Solution
Partnered with the project principal investigators and community members to craft a business plan, governance model, and operational infrastructure to support and sustain the Local Contexts Hub, an innovative digital platform that enables Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination and builds ethical relationships with institutions holding cultural heritage and genetic collections. This work was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and The Mellon Foundation.
Deliverables
Community Interviews, Governance Model, Organizational Structure, Support for Incorporation and Non-profit 1023 Application, Business Case, Success Metrics, Subscription and Membership Agreements, Interim Operational Support, Program Management
Related Public Documents:
Blog Post: Launching the Local Contexts organization
Blog Post: Announcing Local Contexts’ Generational Sustainability of Local Contexts
