In a program that began in late 2007, Ithaka has undertaken a multi-phase study of the factors influencing the sustainability of not-for-profit digital resources. Our initial report, Sustainability and Revenue Models for Online Academic Resources (Guthrie, Griffiths and Maron, 2008), created a framework for thinking about sustainability and suggested a number of financial models that digital projects could pursue. That report stimulated a lively dialogue within the community about ways to strengthen the long-term prospects for non-profit digital resources, and generated interest in a follow-up study to explore, through a range of case studies, how leaders of digital initiatives are building sustainable enterprises.

 

In 2008 and 2009, with the help of JISC, the NEH, and the NSF, Ithaka studied twelve digital projects to examine the ways in which the general principles of sustainability play out in the real world, and to identify lessons for stakeholders, including funding agencies, project directors, and universities. How did project leaders define their mission and sustainability goals? What steps did they take to develop revenue-generating and cost management strategies? To what extent were certain models successful, and how did project leaders define that success?

 

In 2009, Ithaka continues to examine the questions central to the topic of sustainability, by bringing together project leaders, funders and others in the community to discuss the findings of this work. Work is currently underway to develop tools for practitioners and others to use when developing sustainability strategies of their own. Sign up here to receive news on development of these tools and other Ithaka work via email.