Jimmy Thank You 2011/en

Wow. What can I say? Thank you. We’ve just ended the most successful fundraiser in our history, $16 million USD raised in less than 8 weeks. It's incredible, but I’m not surprised. In 2001, I took a bet on people, and you’ve never let me down.

You have created the largest collection of human knowledge ever assembled: 19 million encyclopedia articles in 270 languages, still growing and getting better every day. You have supported, funded and protected it. Advertising doesn’t pay for Wikipedia. You do.

Wikipedia is the fifth most visited website on earth – 400 million people last month – and we run our servers and pay our lean staff entirely with donations. Your donations keep Wikipedia free to use and free of ads. Your donations keep spreading free access to knowledge all across the earth.

Thank you for everything you give to make Wikipedia a reality. I’ve been inspired by your comments, and feel privileged to witness your passion for Wikipedia. It’s an amazing story. There’s nothing else like it.

If you haven’t yet made a contribution to support Wikipedia, it’s not too late. You can still make a gift to support the free and open sharing of knowledge. Just click here.

Thank you again.

Jimmy Wales

Founder, Wikipedia