Overview

Open Collective API gives you free access to data about open-source projects and communities that use Open Collective for transparent fundraising. It uses GraphQL and requires no authentication, making it very beginner-friendly. You can query information about collectives, their budgets, contributors, and expenses.

Beginner Tip

Since Open Collective uses GraphQL with no auth required, you can start experimenting immediately — try sending a POST request to https://api.opencollective.com/graphql/v2 with a simple query to get a collective by slug.

Available Data

The kind of data this API exposes, based on its documentation. We could not call the endpoint to confirm the exact field names.

Use case: Integrate get open collective data data into web and mobile applications
Open Collective data via REST API

Example Response

Illustrative shape only — we were not able to call this endpoint (it requires credentials or exposes no public sample URL), so the fields below show the kind of data this API returns rather than a recorded response.

JSON Response · Illustrative
{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {
    "result": "Data from Open Collective",
    "description": "Get Open Collective data",
    "timestamp": "2025-01-15T10:00:00Z"
  }
}

Field Reference

data.collective.name Display name of the collective
data.collective.slug URL-friendly identifier used in Open Collective URLs
data.collective.description Short description of what the collective does
data.collective.stats.balance.value Current balance of the collective in the currency specified
data.collective.members.nodes List of member objects with role, account name, and join date

Implementation Example

Calls a real endpoint of this API. Replace any placeholder credentials with your own key.

Request
const url = "https://docs.opencollective.com/help/developers/api";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

Generated guidance based on this API's documentation, not observed by us. Treat it as a starting point and check against the provider's own error reference.

errors array in response body GraphQL query has a syntax error or references a field that does not exist
Check the Open Collective GraphQL schema at api.opencollective.com/graphql/v2 and validate your field names
Collective not found The slug provided does not match any existing collective
Use the exact slug from the Open Collective URL (e.g., webpack from opencollective.com/webpack)
Empty data object Querying a nested field on a null parent object
Add null checks in your code; some collectives may not have all fields populated

Metadata Score Breakdown

Estimated from metadata — endpoint not independently tested

This score is estimated from observable metadata — HTTPS support, authentication model, declared CORS, and documentation reachability — because the API requires authentication or exposes no publicly testable endpoint. The five-signal breakdown is only shown for live-tested APIs.

Metadata estimate · endpoint not independently tested

Technical Specifications

Auth No Auth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS UNKNOWN
Category Social
Difficulty Beginner
Listing details not endpoint-verified

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