Positioning NDSA for Long-Term Sustainability: A Letter from the Chair

Dear NDSA Members,

As Chair of the NDSA, I’m excited to share an update on the important work happening behind the scenes to ensure the long-term sustainability of our organization. Over the past year, NDSA has reached a critical juncture—one that calls for a bold reimagining of how we fund and manage our programs to continue serving the digital preservation community.

Why Sustainability Matters Now

NDSA has long relied on the generosity and logistical support of host institutions, first the Library of Congress and later the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). However, in 2023, NDSA leadership recognized that continuing to operate under this model was no longer a viable long-term solution. As many of you are aware, the landscape for community organizations like ours is shifting. Across the field, organizations such as the BitCurator Consortium, MetaArchive Cooperative, Digital Public Library of America, and Software Preservation Network have faced similar sustainability challenges, prompting transitions to new models or even, in some instances, winding down operations.

NDSA must proactively put itself on stable organizational footing and develop a strategy to support and fund itself on an ongoing basis. The time has come for us to chart a new course—one that positions NDSA to thrive independently while maintaining the strong community-driven spirit that has driven NDSA since its inception.

Our Path Forward: A Sustainable Funding Model

To meet this challenge, NDSA has been working closely with our prospective new host, with whom we’ve been meeting regularly since June 2024. Together, we are pursuing a strategy that will establish a sustainable funding model and business plan that reflects NDSA’s values and ensures that we continue to serve the digital preservation community for years to come.

In pursuit of this goal, we have have taken two key steps:

  1. IMLS NLG-L Planning Grant Proposal: We initially devoted significant time and effort to developing and submitting a two-year planning grant proposal to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), requesting $148,830 to support NDSA’s transition to a self-sustaining model. This proposed bridge funding would have supported our transition to a new host by allowing us to hire a dedicated program manager, engage deeply with our membership to refine our strategy, and build a business plan that balanced membership fees, sponsorships, and event income. 

However, in light of the recent federal staffing and budget cuts at IMLS, it has become clear that this grant proposal no longer represents a realistic pathway forward. 

  1. Fundraising Drive: Given the uncertain future of IMLS and other funders, Leadership is  pursuing a diversified approach to fundraising. One element of our path forward towards financial sustainability is a one-time fundraising drive that will kick off the week of May 12. This campaign seeks to secure $60,000 of critical seed funding that will enable us to sustain operations and build momentum during our transition to a new host. By investing in this campaign, members and partners can directly support NDSA’s resilience and long-term success, helping to safeguard our community’s future in a rapidly evolving landscape. 

  2. Searching for Additional Funding Opportunities: In addition to our fundraising drive, we are actively identifying and pursuing new opportunities that strengthen NDSA’s foundation and position our community for long-term success. We recognize that financial resilience will require a multi-pronged strategy that may include potential grants, event revenue, sponsorship programs, philanthropic initiatives, institutional partnerships, and other external funding sources. We are particularly interested in opportunities aligned with digital stewardship, digital preservation, and community-based infrastructure initiatives.

What Comes Next? As we move forward, we are committed to transparency and ongoing engagement with our membership. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Member Communications: Over the coming months, we will be reaching out to you with updates on the progress of our fundraising campaign. We are also developing a communications plan to increase transparency and provide regular updates on NDSA’s transition process.
  • Digital Preservation 2025: We are excited to be hosting a virtual DigiPres conference this fall. The DigiPres 2025 Co-Chairs are in the process of forming a Planning Committee and will be sending out a call for proposals and more information about the event shortly. 
  • Opportunities for Feedback: We value your input and will be providing multiple opportunities for members to share their thoughts and feedback throughout the transition process. This will include a town hall that will take place at the DigiPres Conference this fall.   

Investing in NDSA’s Future We believe that transitioning to a sustainable funding model will not only safeguard NDSA’s future but also enable us to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and enhance the value we provide to the digital preservation community. Your support—whether through participation in NDSA activities, assistance with our fundraising campaign, or sharing your insights—will be critical in shaping NDSA’s next chapter.

In the Coming Weeks, You’ll Hear More About…

  • Details on how your organization can contribute to our fundraising campaign.
  • Updates on the status of our fundraising drive and what it means for the future of NDSA.

We are excited about the road ahead and deeply grateful for the continued support and dedication of our members.  

With gratitude,

Shira Peltzman

Chair, National Digital Stewardship Alliance