An Explanation of the Selection Process
A critical question that continues to surface relates specifically to how the Community Giving Program decides who receives funding. Because we are still early, this is not permanent, but here is how we are processing our first test cases.
1) We find possible recipients through research done on internal web tools (like Bugzilla), by surveys sent from the giving program, or through referrals from Mozilla employees or volunteers who have followed the development of this program closely. We are also finding people who respond directly to me through my blog.
2) After discovering possible recipients, we research their level of contribution by looking at the work each individual has done (which should be found in Bugzilla or Bonsai) and by checking in with module or team leaders at Mozilla who can speak to a volunteer’s participation. This is a critical part of determining how we will support each individual.
3) If it seems appropriate to move forward, we will reach out again to the individual contributor, asking what Mozilla might provide to remove any barriers to the day-to-day volunteer work a person is providing.
4) We see if what is requested is reasonable (i.e. the volunteer is not requesting something completely unrelated to the Mozilla project like a $10,000 gaming machine…)
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5) The volunteer and I will discuss and agree upon how the support will be used and then look at three different sources to research what is available and most affordable.
6) We do a little more internal fact checking and final approval, and, if all is well, we distribute the proposed support.
