We have launched the Local Contexts Hub membership and subscription model as part of our work toward sustainability (see more in this blog post). While we have consulted with user communities for the development of these models, we anticipate the need to evolve as we welcome more users onto the platform. We encourage you to share your ideas and feedback in our networks.
Members, Subscribers, and Service Providers
Last Updated: October 11, 2024
Local Contexts is a non-profit organization currently supported through grant funding. Our goal is to create a multi-generational resource that supports Indigenous data sovereignty. To realize this goal, we must be able to support our operations through regular recurring revenue. Our business model is based on mutual trust and respect, and acknowledges power imbalances between Indigenous communities and institutions and organizations that hold Indigenous cultural and other heritage, genetic resources, and knowledge.
Who is a Member?
Any Indigenous community may become a Member of Local Contexts by registering on the Hub. Member benefits include the ability to use the Local Contexts Hub to assign a community administrator, to create projects and edit and apply Local Contexts Labels, to invite contributing Subscribers, and to nominate representatives to the Local Contexts Council. Members are responsible for maintaining their Hub contact information and ensuring their account integrity.
Member Fees
There is no fee to become a Member. Members are eligible for a 50% discount on subscriptions and service provider accounts.
Who is a Subscriber?
Any museum, repository, university, or other organization that supports Indigenous data sovereignty is encouraged to become a Local Contexts Subscriber by registering on the Hub. Subscriber benefits include the ability to use the Local Contexts Hub to create projects, apply Notices, to invite contributing Subscribers, and to issue notifications to Indigenous communities registered on the Hub. Subscribers are responsible for maintaining their Hub contact information and ensuring their account integrity.
A subscription is required for all Notices, but Collections Care Notice subscriptions have no associated fee.
Subscriber Fees
Each subscription provides unlimited use of TK and BC Notices and Labels, as per the usage guidelines. All subscription tiers include the ability to create an account and create projects, access to API keys to integrate Local Contexts Notices and Labels into systems and workflows, and the ability to issue notifications to Indigenous Communities.
Subscription fee tiers are based on our goals to balance staff effort with our goal of building connections and communities that further Indigenous data sovereignty. All organizational subscribers have the option to add bundles for additional Users, API Keys, Projects, or Notifications.
There may be additional fees for notifying communities added in the future; we will bring this discussion to our Member and Institutional Working Groups. All changes to fees are reviewed and approved by our Council, and per our Subscriber Agreement, we will provide at least 60 days notice of any Agreement changes.
Subscription Type and Annual Fee1 | Users with Admin/Editor Permission2 | API Keys2 | Projects3 | Notices and Labels | Notifications3 |
Individual Free | 1 | 1 | 10/yr | Unlimited | 12/yr |
Small US$1250 | 3 | 1 | 15/yr | Unlimited | 24/yr |
Medium US$5000 | 5 | 3 | 30/yr | Unlimited | 30/yr |
Large US$10,000 | 10 | 5 | 50/yr | Unlimited | 50/yr |
User Bundle | 5 @ US$1500 | ||||
API Bundle | 3 @ US$1500 | ||||
Project Bundle | 10 @ US$1500 | ||||
Notification Bundle | 10 @ US$1500 |
Founding Subscribers
During our start-up phase, we are welcoming a special class of “Founding Subscribers”, who in addition to their annual subscription fee, are able to support Local Contexts through an additional donation of at least US$10,000 or a long-term loan of at least $50,000. These funds will be used to establish organizational infrastructure and support the hiring of a full-time executive director. All Founding Subscribers will be acknowledged on the Local Contexts webpage.
Who is a Service Provider?
Any organization that integrates Local Contexts Labels and Notices into their products. These may include collections management systems, repository workflow platforms, information aggregators, and more. Service Provider systems enable Local Contexts Members and Subscribers to easily integrate Labels and Notices into local workflows and systems and ensure ongoing trust in the Local Context Labels and Notices.
The Service Provider program is a means for Local Contexts to work with organizations on their use of Labels and Notices and to make product information more accessible to our community. Service Provider benefits include increased utility of their products by Local Contexts Members and Subscribers, participation in Hub product development meetings, and for those that meet specifications, a listing on the Local Contexts Service Provider page certifying compliance with Local Contexts integration standards, and access to the Service Provider logo and Open to Collaborate Notice. Service Providers are responsible for maintaining their Hub contact information, updating their integration to meet API requirements, and ensuring their Hub account integrity.
Read more about our Service Provider Early Adopter program: We are now seeking platforms that have integrated or plan to integrate Local Contexts Labels and Notices into their information management products to help us shape the Local Contexts Service Providers program.
Service Provider Fees
The Service Provider fee is US$1500 per year.
Overview of Annual Fees, Value Propositions, and Requirements
Indigenous Communities | Institutions and Repositories | Service Providers | |
Annual Fee | No-fee Membership | Tiered subscription fees and bundle options based on Hub usage needs. | Certification fee US$1500 |
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Requirements |
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Further Information
Terms of Service
Member Agreement
Subscriber Agreement
Service Provider Agreement
Subscriber 1-Pager
- 1. Member organizations qualify for a 50% discount on subscriber fees. ↩︎
- 2. Set amounts for the subscription tier selected, unless a bundle is added. ↩︎
- 3. Maximum amount for the subscription tier selected per year. Amount will reset to the selected tier amount at the start of the new subscription year. ↩︎