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[//www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] is the world's largest and most popular encyclopedia. It is online, free to use for any purpose, and free of advertising. Wikipedia contains more than {{ALL-WP-COUNT|million=true}} million volunteer-authored articles in over {{WP-EDITIONS-COUNT}} languages, and is visited by more than {{COMSCORE-UNIQUES}} million people every month, making it one of the most popular sites in the world.
[//www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] is the world's largest and most popular encyclopedia. It is online, free to use for any purpose, and free of advertising. Wikipedia contains more than {{ALL-WP-COUNT|million=true}} million volunteer-authored articles in over {{WP-EDITIONS-COUNT}} languages, and is visited by more than {{COMSCORE-UNIQUES}} million people every month, making it one of the most popular sites in the world.


It is a collaborative creation that has been added to and edited by millions of people during the past ten years: anyone can edit it, at any time. It has become the largest collection of shared knowledge in human history. The people who support it are united by their love of learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their awareness that we know much more together than any of us does alone.
It is a collaborative creation that has been added to and edited by millions of people during the past twelve years: anyone can edit it, at any time. It has become the largest collection of shared knowledge in human history. The people who support it are united by their love of learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their awareness that we know much more together than any of us does alone.


The Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia and [[our projects|other free knowledge projects]]. Together these sites are the fifth most visited web property in the world. The Wikimedia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization with offices in San Francisco, California, USA. You can review our [[Media:501%28c%293_Letter.png|letter of tax-exemption]] and our [[financial reports|financial reports and annual filings]].
The Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia and [[our projects|other free knowledge projects]]. Together these sites are the fifth most visited web property in the world. The Wikimedia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization with offices in San Francisco, California, USA. You can review our [[Media:501%28c%293_Letter.png|letter of tax-exemption]] and our [[financial reports|financial reports and annual filings]].
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Money you donate pays for staff salaries and technology. Even though Wikipedia and its sister projects together reach {{COMSCORE-UNIQUES}} million people every month, we employ only {{STAFF-COUNT}} people; see our [[staff]] overview.
Money you donate pays for staff salaries and technology. Even though Wikipedia and its sister projects together reach {{COMSCORE-UNIQUES}} million people every month, we employ only {{STAFF-COUNT}} people; see our [[staff]] overview.


Our staff is divided into three program departments: technology (website operations, software development); community (public outreach, reader relations and community programs, fundraising), and global development (supporting chapter programs and growing Wikimedia worldwide). The remainder of our staff work in management, finance, and administration, which includes legal protection of our work. Your support also pays for servers, bandwidth, and Internet hosting that allow us to keep Wikimedia's projects running and growing. If you donate to a [[local chapter]] in your geography, your donation supports both the Wikimedia Foundation, and program activities in your country.
Our staff is divided into three program departments: technology (website operations, software development); legal, communications, and community advocacy (public outreach, community programs, legal defense); and learning and grantmaking (supporting chapter programs and growing Wikimedia worldwide). The remainder of our staff work in management, finance, and administration. Your support also pays for servers, bandwidth, and Internet hosting that allow us to keep Wikimedia's projects running and growing.


Above all, the Wikimedia Foundation exists to support and grow the vast network of volunteers who write and edit Wikipedia and its sister projects – more than 80,000 people around the world.
Above all, the Wikimedia Foundation exists to support and grow the vast network of volunteers who write and edit Wikipedia and its sister projects – more than 80,000 people around the world.
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=== Where can I find more financial information? ===
=== Where can I find more financial information? ===


The '''Wikimedia Foundation 2010–11 annual report''' covers the fiscal year of July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Now in its fourth edition, the Foundation's annual report expresses 'how the world tells its story' through the incredible work of our multilingual projects, and describes the priorities, challenges, and achievements within our movement. The report also highlights the world-wide celebrations of Wikipedia 10.
The '''Wikimedia Foundation 2011–12 annual report''' covers the fiscal year of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Now in its fifth edition, the Foundation's annual report expresses 'how the world tells its story' through the incredible work of our multilingual projects, and describes the priorities, challenges, and achievements within our movement.


The '''2012-13 Annual Plan''' is our budget for the current fiscal year. It contains a summary of our strategic goals, financial details on spending and revenue, and detailed explanations and risk analysis.
The '''2013-14 Annual Plan''' is our budget for the current fiscal year. It contains a summary of our strategic goals, financial details on spending and revenue, and detailed explanations and risk analysis.


Click the images below to download copies of our Annual Reports or our Annual Plan.
Click the images below to download copies of our Annual Reports or our Annual Plan.


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{| style="border-style:solid;border-width:2px;border-color:#eeeeee;background:white;" cellpadding="5"
{| style="border:2px solid #eeeeee; background:white; margin:auto;"
| [[File:WMF Annual Report 2011–12 EN cover rgb 300ppi.png|250px|border|2011–2012 Annual Report|link=//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/WMF-AR_2011%E2%80%9312_EN_SHIP2_17dec12_300dpi_hi-res.pdf|center]]
|-
| [[File:WMF_AR11_SHIP_spreads_15dec11_72dpi.pdf|right|250px|border|2010–2011 Annual Report|link=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/WMF_AR11_SHIP_spreads_15dec11_72dpi.pdf]]
| [[File:2013-2014_WMF_Plan_As_Published.pdf|246px|border|link=//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/foundation/7/75/2013-2014_WMF_Plan_As_Published.pdf]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[File:2012-13 Wikimedia Foundation Plan FINAL FOR WEBSITE.pdf|435px|link=//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/foundation/3/37/2011-12_Wikimedia_Foundation_Plan_FINAL_FOR_WEBSITE_.pdf]]
| '''Download the 2011–12 Annual Report:'''
|- valign="top"
* '''[[Media:WMF-AR 2011–12 EN SHIP2 17dec12 300dpi hi-res.pdf|PDF version (3.9 MB)]]'''
|
'''Download the 2010–2011 Annual Report:'''
| '''Download the 2013–14 Annual Plan:'''
* '''[[Media:WMF_AR11_SHIP_spreads_15dec11_72dpi.pdf|PDF screen-reading, 72 dpi landscape version (5.6 MB)]]'''
* '''[[Media:2013-2014_WMF_Plan_As_Published.pdf|PDF version (402 KB)]]'''
* '''[[2013-2014 Annual Plan Questions and Answers|Annual Plan questions and answers]]'''
* '''[[Media:WMF_AR11_SHIP_28pp_15dec11_300dpi.pdf|PDF single-page view, 300 dpi portrait version (40 MB)]]'''
||
'''Download the 2012-13 Annual Plan:'''
* '''[[Media:2012-13 Wikimedia Foundation Plan FINAL FOR WEBSITE.pdf|PDF version (400 KB)]]'''
* '''[[2012-2013 Annual Plan Questions and Answers]]'''
|}
|}
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=== What are your plans? Where is this going? ===
=== What are your plans? Where is this going? ===
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| [[File:Pelatihan Peserta di Universitas Mercubuana.JPG|300px]]
| [[File:Pelatihan Peserta di Universitas Mercubuana.JPG|300px]]
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'''Staging outreach and community events world-wide.''' Once a year, hundreds of Wikimedia volunteers come together at [//wikimania.wikimedia.org/ Wikimania], in a different location around the world each year. (You should come! In Summer 2013 [//wikimania2013.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimania will be in Hong Kong].) And, Wikimedia's chapter organizations have staged dozens of additional events, competitions and conferences around the world. Some are targeted at recruiting new volunteers; some give the community space to think about its work, and to do it. Recognizing the value of people coming together because they are passionate about Wikimedia's mission has been key to our success.
'''Staging outreach and community events world-wide.''' Once a year, hundreds of Wikimedia volunteers come together at [//wikimania.wikimedia.org/ Wikimania], in a different location around the world each year. (You should come! In Summer 2014 [//wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimania will be in London].) And Wikimedia's chapter organizations have staged dozens of additional events, competitions and conferences around the world. Some are targeted at recruiting new volunteers; some give the community space to think about its work, and to do it. Recognizing the value of people coming together because they are passionate about Wikimedia's mission has been key to our success.


''Photograph: Participants of the "Free Your Knowledge" student competition in Indonesia listening to an introductory presentation (2010).''
''Photograph: Participants of the "Free Your Knowledge" student competition in Indonesia listening to an introductory presentation (2010).''
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[[File:QOTW 12-21.png|300px]]
[[File:QOTW 12-21.png|300px]]
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'''Informing our decision-making with facts and data.''' Analytics, research, experiments and forecasts are essential to make good decisions in a complex environment like Wikimedia. The [http://stats.wikimedia.org/reportcard/ Wikimedia Foundation Report Card] and the [http://stats.wikimedia.org/ Statistics Portal] provide a wealth of up-to-date analysis which helps us understand the impact of our work. The [[strategy:Main Page|Strategy Wiki]] is a public planning space where longer term trends are analyzed. [[m:Research/Projects|Research projects]] provide us with in-depth analysis and experiments, supported by the volunteer-driven [[m:Research Committee|Research Committee]]. We're data nerds – what else would you expect from the kinds of people who love working on an online encyclopedia?
'''Informing our decision-making with facts and data.''' Analytics, research, experiments and forecasts are essential to make good decisions in a complex environment like Wikimedia. The [http://reportcard.wmflabs.org/ Wikimedia Foundation Report Card] and the [http://stats.wikimedia.org/ Statistics Portal] provide a wealth of up-to-date analysis which helps us understand the impact of our work. [[m:Research/Projects|Research projects]] provide us with in-depth analysis and experiments, supported by the volunteer-driven [[m:Research Committee|Research Committee]]. We're data nerds – what else would you expect from the kinds of people who love working on an online encyclopedia?


''Illustration: Projection regarding availability of mature language editions useful to different segments of the world's population.''
''Illustration: Projection regarding availability of mature language editions useful to different segments of the world's population.''
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'''More information may be found on the page about [[our projects]].'''
'''More information may be found on the page about [[our projects]].'''

=== Is the Wikipedia Education Initiative a project of the Wikimedia Foundation? ===
No. The Wikipedia Education Initiative is not a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. So donations to the Wikipedia Education Initiative do not fund Wikipedia or its sister projects.


=== How is the Wikimedia Foundation run? ===
=== How is the Wikimedia Foundation run? ===
The Wikimedia Foundation has a [[staff]] of {{STAFF-COUNT}}, led by the Executive Director, [[User:Sue_Gardner|Sue Gardner]]. The staff supports the work of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who contribute content to the Wikimedia projects. The Wikimedia Foundation is also supported by countless volunteers participating through committees, as interns, or on an ''ad hoc'' basis.
The Wikimedia Foundation has a [[staff]] of {{STAFF-COUNT}}, led by the Executive Director, [[User:Sue_Gardner|Sue Gardner]]. The staff supports the work of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who contribute content to the Wikimedia projects. The Wikimedia Foundation is also supported by countless volunteers participating through committees, as interns, or on an ''ad hoc'' basis.


The [[Board of Trustees]] articulates the [[Mission_statement|mission]] and [[vision]] of the Wikimedia Foundation, reviews and helps to develop long term plans, provides oversight, and supports the Wikimedia Foundation's fundraising efforts. It is the ultimate organizational authority of the Wikimedia Foundation as defined in its bylaws. See [[Meetings]] for published Board minutes and [[Resolutions]] for published Board resolutions. The Board is comprised of ten members, with three seats elected directly by the [[m:Community|Wikimedia community]]; two seats selected by the [[Wikimedia chapters]]; one Board-appointed "community founder" seat (reserved for [[Board of Trustees#Jimmy Wales|Jimmy Wales]]); and four Board-appointed "specific expertise" seats. The Board is supported by an [[Advisory Board]], chaired by Angela Beesley Starling.
The [[Board of Trustees]] articulates the [[Mission_statement|mission]] and [[vision]] of the Wikimedia Foundation, reviews and helps to develop long term plans, provides oversight, and supports the Wikimedia Foundation's fundraising efforts. It is the ultimate organizational authority of the Wikimedia Foundation as defined in its bylaws. See [[Meetings]] for published Board minutes and [[Resolutions]] for published Board resolutions. The Board is comprised of ten members, with three seats elected directly by the [[m:Community|Wikimedia community]]; two seats selected by the [[Wikimedia chapters]]; one Board-appointed "community founder" seat (reserved for [[Board of Trustees#Jimmy Wales|Jimmy Wales]]); and four Board-appointed "specific expertise" seats. The Board is supported by an [[Advisory Board]].


We have an office, located in San Francisco, California (USA), where most of our employees are working. All Board members and remaining staff work remotely.
We have an office, located in San Francisco, California (USA), where most of our employees work. All Board members and remaining staff work remotely.


We strive to operate highly transparently, and have published [[policies|key policies]] and [[finance report|financial information]].
We strive to operate highly transparently, and have published [[policies|key policies]] and [[finance report|financial information]].
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'''We are not considering advertising as a source of revenue.'''
'''We are not considering advertising as a source of revenue.'''


The Wikimedia Foundation has 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in the United States. Donations made from other nations may also be tax deductible. See [[deductibility of donations]] for details. Click [[Ways to Give/en|here]] for details on how to make a donation via PayPal, MoneyBookers or by postal mail. For all other types of donation, please contact us through donate{{@}}wikimedia.org.
The Wikimedia Foundation has 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in the United States. Donations made from other nations may also be tax deductible. See [[Tax Deductibility/en|tax deductibility]] for details. Click [[Ways to Give/en|here]] for details on how to make a donation via credit/debit card, PayPal, Amazon, or by postal mail. For all other types of donation, please contact us through donate{{@}}wikimedia.org.


{{anchor|How much money are you hoping to raise?}}<!-- so the previous links still work -->
{{anchor|How much money are you hoping to raise?}}<!-- so the previous links still work -->
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The current models for web advertising are also not supportive of our views on user privacy. We do not want to deliver ads to users based on their geography or on the topic they are currently reading about. Contextual advertising (similar to geo-targeted advertising) reads the content you are viewing which goes against Wikipedia's strict privacy policy for users. We respect your right to online privacy, and bring you the knowledge and information you are looking for.
The current models for web advertising are also not supportive of our views on user privacy. We do not want to deliver ads to users based on their geography or on the topic they are currently reading about. Contextual advertising (similar to geo-targeted advertising) reads the content you are viewing which goes against Wikipedia's strict privacy policy for users. We respect your right to online privacy, and bring you the knowledge and information you are looking for.


We are not against the world of online advertising, nor are we against other organizations that host ads. We just know ads are not an appropriate thing to find in a project devoted to education and knowledge - and especially one that strives for balance and neutrality.
We are not against the world of online advertising, nor are we against other organizations that host ads. We just know ads are not an appropriate thing to find in a project devoted to education and knowledge and especially one that strives for balance and neutrality.


=== How much money are you hoping to raise? ===
=== How much money are you hoping to raise? ===
The 2012-13 plan posits revenue of $46.1 million, a 32% increase over projected revenue of $34.8 million for 2011-12.
The 2013-14 plan posits revenue of $50.1 million from a 2012-13 projection of $50.9 million, a decrease of 1.6%.


More details about our finances can be found in our [[financial reports]]. Here is our [[Media:2012-13_Wikimedia_Foundation_Plan_FINAL_FOR_WEBSITE.pdf|2012-13 Plan]] (PDF), and here is the [[2012-2013 Annual Plan Questions and Answers|Questions and Answers]] page related to it.
More details about our finances can be found in our [[financial reports]]. Here is our [[Media:2013-2014_WMF_Plan_As_Published.pdf|2013-14 Plan]] (PDF), and here is the [[2013-2014_Annual_Plan_Questions_and_Answers|Questions and Answers]] page related to it.


=== Where can I learn more about your recent activities? ===
=== Where can I learn more about your recent activities? ===
For the fiscal year 2009-10, please '''Download the 2009-2010 Annual Report:''' '''[[Media:AR_web_all-spreads_24mar11_72_FINAL.pdf|PDF version (5.0 MB)]]'''
For the fiscal year 2011-12, please '''download the 2011-2012 Annual Report:''' '''[[Media:WMF-AR_2011%E2%80%9312_EN_SHIP2_17dec12_300dpi_hi-res.pdf|PDF version (3.9 MB)]]'''


If you want to keep up with Wikimedia events more regularly, we recommend the following sources:
If you want to keep up with Wikimedia events more regularly, we recommend the following sources:
* the [//blog.wikimedia.org/ Wikimedia Foundation blog]
* the [//blog.wikimedia.org/ Wikimedia Foundation blog]
* [http://en.planet.wikimedia.org/ Planet Wikimedia], which includes Wikimedia community blogs
* [//en.planet.wikimedia.org/ Planet Wikimedia], which includes Wikimedia community blogs
* the [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/WikimediaAnnounce-l Wikimedia Announcements mailing list], which includes announcements from chapters and community members
* the [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/WikimediaAnnounce-l Wikimedia Announcements mailing list], which includes announcements from chapters and community members


=== How can I donate via Debit or Credit card? ===
=== How can I donate via debit or credit card? ===
:To donate using any major credit or debit card ''(VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express)'', PayPal, Moneybookers, bank transfer; please visit {{2012FR/Link-Donate|utm-source=B_FAQ|utm-campaign=C_FAQ|text=our fundraising page}}. Our donation options support many (although not all) currencies.
:To donate using any major credit or debit card ''(VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express)'', PayPal, bank transfer; please visit our [[Ways_to_Give/en|Ways to Give]] page. Our donation options support many (although not all) currencies.


===What other options exist to allow me to donate?===
===What other options exist to allow me to donate?===
Alternatively ways to donate to the Wikimedia Foundation include:
Alternative ways to donate to the Wikimedia Foundation include:
:*<html><a href="https://donate.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FundraiserRedirector?form-countryspecific=Form-countryspecific-monthly&utm_medium=sitenotice&utm_source=Waystogive&utm_campaign=C11_Waystogive"> setting up an automatic monthly gift </a></html>...
:*<html><a href="https://donate.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FundraiserRedirector?form-countryspecific=Form-countryspecific-monthly&utm_medium=sitenotice&utm_source=Waystogive&utm_campaign=C11_Waystogive"> setting up an automatic monthly gift </a></html>...
:*[[Ways_to_Give/en#Via_regular_mail|sending check via regular mail]]...
:*[[Ways_to_Give/en#Via_regular_mail|sending check via regular mail]]...
:*[[Ways_to_Give/en#Stock_donation|making a stock donation]]...
:*[[Ways_to_Give/en#Stock_donation|making a stock donation]]...
:*[[Donate/Match_Your_Gift/en|using your employer's matching gift program]]
:*[[Ways_to_Give/en#Bank_transfer|paying via direct deposit]]
:*[[Donate/Match_Your_Gift/en|using your employer's matching gift programme]]
:*[http://ematch.hepdata.com:8080/ematch/search/wikimedia check to see if your employer will match your gift]
:*[http://ematch.hepdata.com:8080/ematch/search/wikimedia check to see if your employer will match your gift]
:*[[Legacy_Gift|make a Legacy Gift to ensure Wikipedia is around for generations to come]]

{{anchor|Bitcoin}}
=== Why does the Wikimedia Foundation not currently accept Bitcoin? ===
[[w:Bitcoin|Bitcoin]] is a form of [[w:Crypto-currency|crypto-currency]]; in their own words, "an experimental new digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone, anywhere in the world." (<small>[http://bitcoin.org/ Bitcoin P2P Digital Currency]. Retrieved 2 November 2011.</small>) The Wikimedia Foundation's position on the matter is as follows:

<blockquote>The Wikimedia Foundation, as a donor-driven organization, has a fiduciary duty to be responsible and prudent with its money. This has been interpreted to mean that we do not accept "artificial" currencies – that is, those not backed by the full faith and credit of an issuing government. We do, however, strive to provide as many methods of donating as possible and continue to monitor Bitcoin with interest and may revisit this position should circumstances change.</blockquote>

The Wikimedia Foundation does try to make donating as easy as possible, however. For a list of ways to give, see [[Ways to Give]].


=== Are my donations tax-deductible? ===
=== Are my donations tax-deductible? ===
For information on tax deductibility and tax reciepts please refer to the [[Deductibility of donations|list of countries]] for the details of tax-deductibility.
Please refer to the [[Tax_Deductibility/en| information on tax-deductibility]] for the details of tax-deductions and tax receipts.


=== Why is there a minimum donation? ===
=== Why is there a minimum donation? ===
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Join us on social media by following our social media accounts:
Join us on social media by following our social media accounts:
{{Social accounts}}
*[http://facebook.com/wikipedia Facebook]
*[http://twitter.com/wikimedia Twitter]
*[http://plus.google.com/108193079736330787108 Google+]
*[http://blog.wikimedia.org Blog]


=== How can I contact the Foundation? ===
=== How can I contact the Foundation? ===
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[[Category:{{#language:en}}]]
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Desktop-only pages]]

Revision as of 21:56, 14 April 2014

This page lists frequently asked questions about the Wikimedia Foundation. Other questions are answered here. If you do not find your question answered here or there, please feel free to contact us.