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Facebook makes $1 million gift to support the future of free knowledge

We are pleased to announce that Facebook, one of the world’s leading social networking platforms, has given $1 million to the Wikimedia Endowment—a permanent, independent fund dedicated to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia free knowledge projects.

“We launched the Endowment in 2016 as an unwavering commitment to the lasting power and promise of Wikipedia,” said Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia. “We are grateful to Facebook for this support, and hope this marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration to support Wikipedia’s future.”

The Wikimedia Endowment makes Wikipedia more resilient in a changing world. It provides a necessary safeguard for the millions of articles, media, and resources created by Wikipedia contributors, but also maintains its continued independence as a neutral, reliable source of information.

“Through its nearly 18 years of existence, Wikipedia has become a trusted resource for hundreds of millions of people around the world. The Endowment ensures we can protect this incredible resource for knowledge seekers today, but also for generations to come,” said Lisa Gruwell, Wikimedia’s Chief Advancement Officer. “We’re thrilled that Facebook is investing in the long-term future of Wikipedia and free knowledge for everyone.”

To learn more about how you can support the Wikimedia Endowment, visit www.wikimediaendowment.org or email endowment@wikimedia.org.

Kaitlin Thaney, Endowment Director
Wikimedia Foundation

Read more Endowment, Facebook, Gift

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Photo credits

Kārlis Dambrāns via Flickr

Original: Joe Mabel; transformation: Blanca Flores/Wikimedia Foundation

Craig Newmark style

Original: JD Lasica; transformation: Blanca Flores/Wikimedia Foundation

Peter Baldwin - Lisbet Rausing

Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing