FAQ/en: Difference between revisions

From Wikimedia Foundation Governance Wiki
< FAQ
Content deleted Content added
m →‎How can I donate via debit or credit card?: remove moneybookers, not valid payment option
Legoktm (talk | contribs)
(5 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 118: Line 118:


=== 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:LilaTretikov|Lila Tretikov]]. 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]].
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]].
Line 168: Line 168:
:*[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]]
:*[[Legacy_Gift|make a Legacy Gift to ensure Wikipedia is around for generations to come]]
:*[[Ways to Give#bitcoin|donate Bitcoin]]


{{anchor|Bitcoin}}
{{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:


=== Why does the Wikimedia Foundation accept Bitcoin? ===
<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, as a donor-driven organization, has a fiduciary duty to be responsible and prudent with its money, while striving to provide as many methods of donating as possible. Our donors indicated that they were interested in supporting us through [[w:Bitcoin|Bitcoin]], so after some investigation, we set up a method to accept those donations. See our [[wmfblog:2014/07/30/wikimedia-foundation-now-accepts-bitcoin/|blog post]] for more information about it.

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? ===
Line 203: Line 201:


Please note that some payment methods may not support refunds, or require refunds to be made through the payment method (card) utilised, so additional information may be required to process your refund. All refunds will be processed as quickly as possible, but processing times may vary depending on the payment method.
Please note that some payment methods may not support refunds, or require refunds to be made through the payment method (card) utilised, so additional information may be required to process your refund. All refunds will be processed as quickly as possible, but processing times may vary depending on the payment method.

We can only refund Bitcoin donations in Bitcoin. Because we do not store Bitcoins, refunds will be calculated based on the U.S. Dollar amount we received via instant exchange at the time of the donation, using our payment processor's Bitcoin sell rate when the refund is issued. The Wikimedia Foundation is not responsible for any change in value based on fluctuating exchange rates.


=== What can I do to help you spread the word? ===
=== What can I do to help you spread the word? ===

Revision as of 17:40, 30 July 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.