The program rewards project success with non-cash benefits. It does not pay for hours, commits, or simply starting a repository.
Submit your email and exact GitHub username through the builder application form at https://openroot.dev/apply. A project idea or existing project link helps the review. An application is not approval or a reward commitment.
Approval creates a pending portal account and sends an email with instructions. Sign in at https://openroot.dev/portal with your approved email and enter the emailed code only on that page. Kristofer manually sends the GitHub organization invitation before approving the portal account. Approval then sends one combined welcome email with invitation-acceptance and repository-creation steps. Automated GitHub identity linking, project metrics, full enrollment and automated portal reward claims are not available yet. Pending accounts keep the application’s original 90-day expiry. Approval alone does not grant a funded reward.
Create an approved project under the OpenRoot GitHub organization and agree its success track. Developers manage development, maintenance, and wider marketing. OpenRoot helps promote member projects through its publication and social channels, completely free of charge and as much as it can, without guaranteeing coverage, traffic or adoption. Your project can also participate in hackathons and outside activities.
Promotion is not limited to one feature. Projects may appear multiple times in the newsletter and on social channels through project highlights, showcases and in-depth articles. Builders can send releases, substantial updates and user stories to hello@openroot.dev for editorial consideration. This support is completely free of charge and does not require earning or redeeming a reward. Timing and format depend on editorial fit and available capacity; OpenRoot does not guarantee repeat coverage, reach or results.
The planned portal will combine associated repositories, contributions, releases, and milestone evidence. Metrics will identify their source and measurement period. Users and package downloads require evidence beyond GitHub alone.
Submit the evidence required by your enrolled project's rules. OpenRoot checks the result, its measurement window, and excluded activity. A threshold crossing can start a review; it is not automatic reward issuance.
If your claim qualifies under a funded cohort's terms, select an eligible option from its available non-cash catalog. The reward record tracks approval and delivery. The initial offers are reported by OpenRoot; manual milestone claims are open, with offer terms confirmed before issuance. Reporting an offer does not grant every builder an automatic entitlement.
Read the reward rules, builder guidance, or the FAQ.