Legacy Gift

Legacy Gifts to the Wikimedia Foundation
The Wikimedia Foundation has a bold vision: Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. We work to realize this vision by fostering Wikipedia and its sister projects, which are read by nearly 500 million people every month, from every country around the world.

With ongoing support from donors across the globe, the Wikimedia Foundation will continue its work of providing free access to knowledge to everyone on the planet, long into the future. One important way you can help Wikipedia prosper in the long-term is by including the Wikimedia Foundation in your will. 



Timothy J. Cronin*

Tim Cronin was an avid Wikipedia and Wiktionary reader who used the sites to as a first resort to learn about new subjects and to check pronunciations. He was inspired and moved by the Wikipedia vision statement, sometimes even reciting it out loud to his wife while looking up an article: “Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment.” He was amazed at how accurate and complete so many of the entries were, and he decided to include the Wikimedia Foundation in his estate plans because he wanted to give back to the site he felt he had given him so much.

During his time at Fresno State, Tim and his college roommate built their own PC, and Tim’s love of computers continued the rest of his life. Both at work and at home, Tim loved to be in front of a computer, reading and learning. He also enjoyed roller-skating, biking, photography and had his pilot’s license. Tim worked for Caltrans and was a licensed surveyor and a member of the Professional Engineers in California Government and the California Land Surveyors Association.

Hanna W. Hopp

Colin A. Park*

Family and friends will remember Colin for his wonderful sense of humour, his quick wit and his ability to connect with others. He had an alert and enquiring mind and greatly valued the availability of knowledge through Wikipedia. Colin was a “seeker” and Wikipedia embodies much of what he valued including collaboration, transparency and ongoing, thoughtful self-improvement.

Karl Pfenninger

* = deceased 

What is a Legacy Gift?

A Legacy Gift is a charitable donation of any amount, designated through your will or living trust. The gift does not cost you anything right now, but will be a future gift to the Wikimedia Foundation and live on in your legacy. The gift from your estate is exempt from U.S. federal estate taxes and ensures that your entire gift will support the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Who do I contact about making a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation?

Please contact Caitlin Virtue, the Wikimedia Foundation’s Development Outreach Manager, at (415) 839-6885 ext. 6733 or by email at benefactors@undefinedwikimedia.org. Thank you for considering helping Wikipedia thrive in the very long-term!



What do I need to say in my will to make a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation?

Here is sample language that you can use in your will to make a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation:


 * I give, devise, and bequeath [the sum of _____ USD (or other currency) OR _____ percent of the rest and residue of my estate] to the Wikimedia Foundation (tax identification number 20-0049703), a charitable corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida, United States, currently located at 149 New Montgomery Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California, United States, to be used for its general charitable purposes at its discretion.

'''I already included the Wikimedia Foundation in my will. What should I do now?'''

Thank you very much for supporting the Wikimedia Foundation with a Legacy Gift. Please contact Caitlin Virtue to discuss how you would like to be recognized for your generous gift. You can reach Caitlin by phone at (415) 839-6885 ext. 6733 or by email at benefactors@undefinedwikimedia.org.

Thank you for considering making a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation.