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Rogol Domedonfors

19 Aug 2017 19 Aug '17

8:33 a.m.

I was surprised to read the record https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Approval_of_Endowment_fundi… of the decision to place $5M into the endowment. After the anouncement by Lisa Gruwell on this list https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016-December/085712.html there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised, and a number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the content to the projects, such as https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017-January/085835.html. It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of this kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is that the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match the sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair offer, and the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has said to the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the volunteers, and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor believes so strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an Endowment, why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment without conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money should not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge them to say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers precisely why they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to state that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be influenced by the wishes of one donor, however generous. "Rogol"

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Lodewijk

19 Aug 19 Aug

10:05 a.m.

Thanks for the link, Rogol. It is wonderful to hear that these generous donors have decided to match a deposit of $5 million into the endowment. It is always a good thing if someone from the board could expand on what (if anything) the board is planning to do with the proposed expenses. The way you're framing this decision is not something I consider fair. Best, Lodewijk On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 4:33 AM, Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

I was surprised to read the record https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Approval_ of_Endowment_funding_(Fiscal_Year_2016-2017)_and_matching_$ 5_million_gift_from_Peter_Baldwin_and_Lisbet_Rausing of the decision to place $5M into the endowment. After the anouncement by Lisa Gruwell on this list https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- December/085712.html there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised, and a number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the content to the projects, such as https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017-January/085835.html . It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of this kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is that the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match the sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair offer, and the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has said to the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the volunteers, and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor believes so strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an Endowment, why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment without conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money should not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge them to say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers precisely why they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to state that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be influenced by the wishes of one donor, however generous. "Rogol" _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Vi to

10:58 a.m.

Caveat: I support a definitely more frugal WMF so also the endowment. Try to read it from a different perspective. Before donating *lots* of money donor wants to be sure WMF will be truly committed in pursuing the plan of an endowment. Putting the same amount of money is a prove, for donors, WMF truly wants to create an endowment. Vito 2017-08-19 10:33 GMT+02:00 Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com>om>:

...

Yaroslav Blanter

21 Aug 21 Aug

2:02 p.m.

I am often critical of WMF, but I can only support this decision. The idea of creating of an environment was widely discussed in the community, including this mailing list, and had a widespread support. WMF merely follows the community wish in this case, and it is great to know that a donor agreed to match this amount. Cheers Yaroslav On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 12:58 PM, Vi to <vituzzu.wiki(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

Lisa Gruwell on this list https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- December/085712.html there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised, and a number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the content to the projects, such as https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017-

January/085835.html

. It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of this kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is that the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match the sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair offer,

and

the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has said

the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the

volunteers,

and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor believes

strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an

Endowment,

why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment

without

conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money should not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge them to say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers precisely

why

they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to state that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be influenced by the wishes of one donor, however generous. "Rogol" _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

_______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Rogol Domedonfors

4:48 p.m.

I'm know that the WMF has determined that it should have some form of endowment, The question is -- as is usual in question of this sort -- one of balance: in this case, balance between current spending for the benefit of the projects today, and accumulating capital for the benefit of the projects tomorrow. I am asking the Board to say why they decided to strike that balance where they did -- given the obvious need for that support right now -- and whether it is appropriate for large donors to apparently influence that decision. Reinhard On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 3:02 PM, Yaroslav Blanter <ymbalt(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

by > Lisa Gruwell on this list > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- > December/085712.html > there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised,

and a

> number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to > directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the content

the projects, such as https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017-

January/085835.html > . > > It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of

this

> kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is

that

> the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match

the

sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair offer,

and > the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has

said

the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the

volunteers,

and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor believes

strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an

Endowment,

why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment

without > conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money

should

> not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge them

say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers precisely

why > they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to

state

> that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be

influenced

by the wishes of one donor, however generous. "Rogol" _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

James Heilman

8:49 p.m.

My personal position is it is critical to have a stable organization before growing. The WMF has achieved greater stability over the last 1.5 years so I think further growth is becoming again a good idea. James On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 7:48 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

I am often critical of WMF, but I can only support this decision. The

idea

of creating of an environment was widely discussed in the community, including this mailing list, and had a widespread support. WMF merely follows the community wish in this case, and it is great to know that a donor agreed to match this amount. Cheers Yaroslav On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 12:58 PM, Vi to <vituzzu.wiki(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Caveat: I support a definitely more frugal WMF so also the endowment. > > Try to read it from a different perspective. Before donating *lots* of > money donor wants to be sure WMF will be truly committed in pursuing

the

> plan of an endowment. Putting the same amount of money is a prove, for > donors, WMF truly wants to create an endowment. > > Vito > > 2017-08-19 10:33 GMT+02:00 Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com>om>: > > > I was surprised to read the record > > https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Approval_ > > of_Endowment_funding_(Fiscal_Year_2016-2017)_and_matching_$ > > 5_million_gift_from_Peter_Baldwin_and_Lisbet_Rausing > > of the decision to place $5M into the endowment. After the

anouncement

by > Lisa Gruwell on this list > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- > December/085712.html > there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised,

and a > > number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to > > directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the

content

the projects, such as https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017-

January/085835.html > . > > It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of

this

> kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is

that

> the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match

the > > sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair

offer,

and > the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has

said > to > > the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the > volunteers, > > and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor

believes

strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an

Endowment,

why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment

without > conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money

should > > not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge

them

to > > say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. > > > > I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers

precisely

why > they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to

state

> that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be

influenced > > by the wishes of one donor, however generous. > > > > "Rogol" > > _______________________________________________ > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine

Strainu

9:10 p.m.

Both stability and growth come at a cost - is that cost acceptable? The way I understand it from the mid-year fundrasing report in January, the $5M were on top of the fundraising target, basically gathered by exposing our readers to more banners than needed. My opinion is that's a very high price to pay and that there should be more stringent rules regarding continuing fundraisers after their target has been reached (which in turn will probably require even better planning, including for the Endowment). As to whether some donor influenced the Board's decision, that statement looks really far-fetched based on available information. It sounds more like an opportunity that either appeared or was created after the $5M target had been set. Strainu 2017-08-21 23:49 GMT+03:00 James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com>om>:

...

I am often critical of WMF, but I can only support this decision. The

idea

the

anouncement

by > Lisa Gruwell on this list > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- > December/085712.html > there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds raised,

and a > > number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used to > > directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the

content

> the projects, such as > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017- January/085835.html > . > > It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support of

this

> kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing is

that

> the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to match

the > > sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair

offer,

and > the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor has

said > to > > the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the > volunteers, > > and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor

believes

so > strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an Endowment, > why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment without > conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money

should > > not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge

them

to > > say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. > > > > I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers

precisely

why > they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to

state

> that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

> <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Andrea Zanni

22 Aug 22 Aug

9:01 a.m.

Personally I think the endowment is a great idea, stability and growth for our movement are paramount, IF, we use our money in the best way we can. I also don't really care about how big the banner is: it's a minor inconvenience to click the "Hide" button (provided that we are able to hide automatically the button for those who actually donated: they deserve a bannerless page. I remember some complaints during the years about this). What it's more important to me is where are we putting donors' money, both in terms of endowment and actual spending. The WMF is spending money to serve the movement, and how effective and efficient they are should be our only focus. Regarding the endowment, the only little complaint I have is *where* we are investing those money. Reading the documentation page [1], I don't see mentioned anything regarding ethical or socially responsible investing (SRI). There are many funds (of stocks or ETFs) that manage selected "ethical" financial products: these are also our values, and I think we should put donors' money where our mouth is. (I get that sometimes non-ethical investments yield more money, but at least we should have this discussion) Aubrey [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Endowment On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 11:10 PM, Strainu <strainu10(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

My personal position is it is critical to have a stable organization

before

growing. The WMF has achieved greater stability over the last 1.5 years

I think further growth is becoming again a good idea. James On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 7:48 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <

domedonfors(a)gmail.com>

wrote: > I'm know that the WMF has determined that it should have some form of > endowment, The question is -- as is usual in question of this sort --

one

> of balance: in this case, balance between current spending for the

benefit

> of the projects today, and accumulating capital for the benefit of the > projects tomorrow. I am asking the Board to say why they decided to

strike

> that balance where they did -- given the obvious need for that support > right now -- and whether it is appropriate for large donors to

apparently

> influence that decision. > > Reinhard > > On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 3:02 PM, Yaroslav Blanter <ymbalt(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > I am often critical of WMF, but I can only support this decision. The > idea > > of creating of an environment was widely discussed in the community, > > including this mailing list, and had a widespread support. WMF merely > > follows the community wish in this case, and it is great to know that

> > donor agreed to match this amount. > > > > Cheers > > Yaroslav > > > > On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 12:58 PM, Vi to <vituzzu.wiki(a)gmail.com>

wrote:

> > > > > Caveat: I support a definitely more frugal WMF so also the

endowment.

> > > > > > Try to read it from a different perspective. Before donating *lots*

> > > money donor wants to be sure WMF will be truly committed in pursuing > the > > > plan of an endowment. Putting the same amount of money is a prove,

for

> > donors, WMF truly wants to create an endowment. > > > > Vito > > > > 2017-08-19 10:33 GMT+02:00 Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com

: > > > > > > > I was surprised to read the record > > > > https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Approval_ > > > > of_Endowment_funding_(Fiscal_Year_2016-2017)_and_matching_$ > > > > 5_million_gift_from_Peter_Baldwin_and_Lisbet_Rausing > > > > of the decision to place $5M into the endowment. After the > anouncement > > > by > > > > Lisa Gruwell on this list > > > > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2016- > > > > December/085712.html > > > > there was a discussion of what might be done with the funds

raised,

> > and a > > > > number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be used

> > > > directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the > content > > to > > > > the projects, such as > > > > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017- > > > January/085835.html > > > > . > > > > > > > > It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund support

> > this > > > > kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively disturbing

> > that > > > > the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to

match

> > the > > > > sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair > offer, > > > and > > > > the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor

has

> > said > > > to > > > > the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the > > > volunteers, > > > > and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor > believes > > > so > > > > strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an > > > Endowment, > > > > why did they not simply gift the money directly into the endowment > > > without > > > > conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that money > > should > > > > not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I challenge > them > > to > > > > say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. > > > > > > > > I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers > precisely > > > why > > > > they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and to > > state > > > > that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be > > influenced > > > > by the wishes of one donor, however generous. > > > > > > > > "Rogol" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/ > mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe>

> > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

> > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe>

> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l

<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/

wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l

New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

James Heilman

3:03 p.m.

Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be invested inline with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that promotes war or surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the case but would have to verify. J On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 12:01 PM, Andrea Zanni <zanni.andrea84(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

My personal position is it is critical to have a stable organization

before

growing. The WMF has achieved greater stability over the last 1.5 years

I think further growth is becoming again a good idea. James On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 7:48 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <

domedonfors(a)gmail.com>

wrote: > I'm know that the WMF has determined that it should have some form of > endowment, The question is -- as is usual in question of this sort --

one

> of balance: in this case, balance between current spending for the

benefit

> of the projects today, and accumulating capital for the benefit of the > projects tomorrow. I am asking the Board to say why they decided to

strike

> that balance where they did -- given the obvious need for that support > right now -- and whether it is appropriate for large donors to

apparently >> influence that decision. >> >> Reinhard >> >> On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 3:02 PM, Yaroslav Blanter <ymbalt(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> > I am often critical of WMF, but I can only support this decision.

The

>> idea >> > of creating of an environment was widely discussed in the community, >> > including this mailing list, and had a widespread support. WMF

merely

>> > follows the community wish in this case, and it is great to know

that

> > donor agreed to match this amount. > > > > Cheers > > Yaroslav > > > > On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 12:58 PM, Vi to <vituzzu.wiki(a)gmail.com>

wrote:

> > > > > Caveat: I support a definitely more frugal WMF so also the

endowment. >> > > >> > > Try to read it from a different perspective. Before donating

*lots*

of >> > > money donor wants to be sure WMF will be truly committed in

pursuing

> the > > > plan of an endowment. Putting the same amount of money is a prove,

for >> > > donors, WMF truly wants to create an endowment. >> > > >> > > Vito >> > > >> > > 2017-08-19 10:33 GMT+02:00 Rogol Domedonfors <

domedonfors(a)gmail.com

raised, >> > and a >> > > > number of suggestions were made for how these funds could be

used

to >> > > > directly support the work of the volunteers who contribute the >> content >> > to >> > > > the projects, such as >> > > > https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2017- >> > > January/085835.html >> > > > . >> > > > >> > > > It is disappointing that the Board has chosen not to fund

support

of >> > this >> > > > kind. What is more than disappointing, but positively

disturbing

> > that > > > > the decision was made in the light of an offer from a donor to

match

> > the > > > > sum put into the endowment. I suggest that this was not a fair > offer, > > > and > > > > the Board's decision was the wrong one. Effectively this donor

has >> > said >> > > to >> > > > the Board that they will pay the Foundation not to support the >> > > volunteers, >> > > > and the Board has agreed to follow their wishes. If the donor >> believes >> > > so >> > > > strongly in the necessity to build up the mission by means of an >> > > Endowment, >> > > > why did they not simply gift the money directly into the

endowment

>> > > without >> > > > conditions? Equally, if the donor believes so strongly that

money

>> > should >> > > > not be spent supporting the volunteer community, then I

challenge

>> them >> > to >> > > > say so explicitly in public and to defend their position. >> > > > >> > > > I call on the Board to explain to the community of volunteers >> precisely >> > > why >> > > > they have chosen not to offer that support to the community and

> > state > > > > that they will not allow future decisions of this nature to be > > influenced > > > > by the wishes of one donor, however generous. > > > > > > > > "Rogol" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

unsubscribe>

> > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

> > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe> >> > > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

>> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ >> > wiki/Wikimedia-l >> > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org >> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l

, >> > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

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Cristian Consonni

4:01 p.m.

On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote:

...

I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea. C

James Heilman

4:15 p.m.

I have been send further details. As expected Tides (who runs our endowment) has a strong philosophy around social justice. https://www.tides.org/ James On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Cristian Consonni <cristian(a)balist.es> wrote:

...

On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote:

I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea. C _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine

Lisa Gruwell

5:38 p.m.

Just jumping in with a few points of information regarding the Endowment: 1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment. As James indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation and this is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform against the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more information about this soon. 2) Regarding the matching grant, this funder has made large grants to the Wikimedia Foundation for general support for our annual work for almost a decade. They have also now provided major support to the endowment. They have provided generous support for our present work and our future work. It is positive thing that this grant was positioned as a matching grant. It doubles the impact of a portion of the contributions that our online donors made this year. It is a great story that we are sharing with other potential endowment donors. We are hoping to find another major donor (or donors) that will match the $5 million for the endowment that is in the FY 2017-18 annual plan as well. Best, Lisa On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM, James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote: > Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be invested

inline

> with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that promotes war

surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the case but would have to verify.

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Rogol Domedonfors

7:09 p.m.

Lisa Thanks for that explanation. If it had already been decided to contribute the $5M to the Endowment before the offer of matching funds, then there would be no appearance of the offer influencing the Board's decision. Can you confirm that was the case? But the main point of my question to the Board is to ask why they decided that placing this large sum into the Endowment was more important than using it to support the work of the volunteer community (whether or not the offer of matching funds was part of that decision) directly. Can you throw any light on their reasons? Rudyard On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

...

On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote: > Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be invested

inline

> with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that promotes war

or > > surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the case

but

would have to verify.

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Lisa Gruwell

7:57 p.m.

Sorry, I wasn't at the meeting, so I can't speak to that. On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

Just jumping in with a few points of information regarding the Endowment: 1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment. As

James

indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation and

this

is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform against the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more

information

about this soon. 2) Regarding the matching grant, this funder has made large grants to the Wikimedia Foundation for general support for our annual work for almost a decade. They have also now provided major support to the endowment.

They

have provided generous support for our present work and our future work. It is positive thing that this grant was positioned as a matching grant. It doubles the impact of a portion of the contributions that our online donors made this year. It is a great story that we are sharing with

other

potential endowment donors. We are hoping to find another major donor

(or

donors) that will match the $5 million for the endowment that is in the

2017-18 annual plan as well. Best, Lisa On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM, James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I have been send further details. As expected Tides (who runs our > endowment) has a strong philosophy around social justice. > > https://www.tides.org/ > > James > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Cristian Consonni <

cristian(a)balist.es>

> wrote: > > > On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote: > > > Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be invested > inline > > > with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that promotes

war

or > > surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the case

but > > > would have to verify. > > > > I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea. > > > > C > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- James Heilman MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Rogol Domedonfors

8:08 p.m.

Lisa Thanks anyway. Perhaps one of the members of the Board will comment, in the interests of transparency. Ronald On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 8:57 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

...

Sorry, I wasn't at the meeting, so I can't speak to that. On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com

wrote: > Lisa

> Thanks for that explanation. If it had already been decided to contribute

the $5M to the Endowment before the offer of matching funds, then there would be no appearance of the offer influencing the Board's decision.

Can

you confirm that was the case? But the main point of my question to the Board is to ask why they decided that placing this large sum into the Endowment was more important than using it to support the work of the volunteer community (whether or not the offer of matching funds was part

of > that decision) directly. Can you throw any light on their reasons?

> Rudyard

> On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> > wrote:

> > Just jumping in with a few points of information regarding the Endowment: >

> > 1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment. As > James > > indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation and > this > > is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at environmental,

> social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform

against > > the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more > information > > about this soon. >

> > 2) Regarding the matching grant, this funder has made large grants to the

> Wikimedia Foundation for general support for our annual work for

almost a

decade. They have also now provided major support to the endowment.

They > have provided generous support for our present work and our future

work.

> It is positive thing that this grant was positioned as a matching

grant. > > It doubles the impact of a portion of the contributions that our online > > donors made this year. It is a great story that we are sharing with > other > > potential endowment donors. We are hoping to find another major donor > (or > > donors) that will match the $5 million for the endowment that is in the > FY > > 2017-18 annual plan as well. >

> > Best, > > Lisa >

> > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM, James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com> wrote: >

> > > I have been send further details. As expected Tides (who runs our > > > endowment) has a strong philosophy around social justice. > >

> > > https://www.tides.org/ > >

> > > James > >

> > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Cristian Consonni < > cristian(a)balist.es> > > > wrote: > >

> > > > On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote: > > > > > Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be invested > > > inline > > > > > with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that promotes > war > > > or > > > > > surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the case > > but > > > > > would have to verify. > > >

> > > > I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea. > > >

> > > > C > > >

> > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe> > >

> >

> > > -- > > > James Heilman > > > MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian > >

> > > The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/ mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> > >

> > _______________________________________________ > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> >

> _______________________________________________ > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > wiki/Wikimedia-l > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Joseph Seddon

10:31 p.m.

Rogol I don't understanding how you have interpreted this as a choice between community and stability. Could you explain? Seddon On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:08 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <domedonfors(a)gmail.com> wrote:

...

Lisa Thanks anyway. Perhaps one of the members of the Board will comment, in the interests of transparency. Ronald On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 8:57 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

Sorry, I wasn't at the meeting, so I can't speak to that. On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <

domedonfors(a)gmail.com

wrote: > Lisa

> Thanks for that explanation. If it had already been decided to contribute

the $5M to the Endowment before the offer of matching funds, then there would be no appearance of the offer influencing the Board's decision.

Can > you confirm that was the case? But the main point of my question to

the

> Board is to ask why they decided that placing this large sum into the > Endowment was more important than using it to support the work of the > volunteer community (whether or not the offer of matching funds was

part

that decision) directly. Can you throw any light on their reasons? Rudyard On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote: > Just jumping in with a few points of information regarding the

Endowment:

1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment. As

James

indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation and

this > is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at

environmental,

> social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform

against

the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more

information > about this soon. > > 2) Regarding the matching grant, this funder has made large grants to

the

> Wikimedia Foundation for general support for our annual work for

almost a

decade. They have also now provided major support to the endowment.

They > have provided generous support for our present work and our future

work.

> It is positive thing that this grant was positioned as a matching

grant. > > It doubles the impact of a portion of the contributions that our

online

> > donors made this year. It is a great story that we are sharing with > other > > potential endowment donors. We are hoping to find another major

donor

> (or > > donors) that will match the $5 million for the endowment that is in

the

FY > 2017-18 annual plan as well. > > Best, > Lisa > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM, James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com>

wrote: > > > > > I have been send further details. As expected Tides (who runs our > > > endowment) has a strong philosophy around social justice. > > > > > > https://www.tides.org/ > > > > > > James > > > > > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Cristian Consonni < > cristian(a)balist.es> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > On 22/08/2017 17:03, James Heilman wrote: > > > > > Andrea I agree completely that movement monies should be

invested

> > > inline > > > > > with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that

promotes

war > > or > > > > surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the

case

> but > > > > would have to verify. > > > > > > I wholeheartedly agree with Andrea. > > > > > > C > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > James Heilman > > > MD, CCFP-EM, Wikipedian > > > > > > The Wikipedia Open Textbook of Medicine > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe>

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,

<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- Seddon *Advancement Associate (Community Engagement)* *Wikimedia Foundation*

Rogol Domedonfors

23 Aug 23 Aug

6:25 a.m.

James Certainly. When the probability of last year's fundraising effort generating more income than had been expected emerged, there was a discussion here about how that "surplus" might be used. There were some suggestions for using it to directly assist the members of the volunteer community in their work of contributing content -- such as funding books, on- and off-line library subscriptions, for the content contributors -- or improving the contributing environment -- such as hiring more devs for community tech projects -- or building the community -- such as extra funding for community events. That money, once gone, would be gone forever, and there is the risk that further donations would not be forthcoming at the same rate. The alternative, which was adopted, was to give it to the Endowment to generate a permanent income which might be used to fund such acitivities in the future. That money once in the Endowment is, presumably, always in the Endowment, and the income can be relied on to a reasonable extent. The Board has chosen to favour long-term stability over short-term content contribution. That is clearly their prerogative, but it is a choice, and a choice that affects the community her and now. It seems reasonable to ask the Board to explain to the community, who provide the content, and whose work sustains the entire mission, and which ultimately motivates people to make such generous donations, why, given that opportunity, they did not see it as so important to give them more in the way of direct help in contributing that content and building that community. Rod On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:31 PM, Joseph Seddon <jseddon(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

...

Lisa Thanks anyway. Perhaps one of the members of the Board will comment, in the interests of transparency. Ronald On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 8:57 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

Sorry, I wasn't at the meeting, so I can't speak to that. On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Rogol Domedonfors <

domedonfors(a)gmail.com > > > wrote: > > > Lisa > > > > Thanks for that explanation. If it had already been decided to > contribute > > the $5M to the Endowment before the offer of matching funds, then

there

would be no appearance of the offer influencing the Board's decision.

Can > you confirm that was the case? But the main point of my question to

the

part > of > > that decision) directly. Can you throw any light on their reasons? > > > > Rudyard > > > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Lisa Gruwell <

lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org>

> > wrote: > > > > > Just jumping in with a few points of information regarding the > Endowment: > > > > > > 1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment.

> > James > > > indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation

and

> > this > > > is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at > environmental, > > > social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform > against > > > the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more > > information > > > about this soon. > > > > > > 2) Regarding the matching grant, this funder has made large grants

> the > > > Wikimedia Foundation for general support for our annual work for > almost a > > > decade. They have also now provided major support to the

endowment.

They > have provided generous support for our present work and our future

work.

> It is positive thing that this grant was positioned as a matching

grant. > > It doubles the impact of a portion of the contributions that our

online > > > donors made this year. It is a great story that we are sharing

with

> other > > potential endowment donors. We are hoping to find another major

donor

> (or > > donors) that will match the $5 million for the endowment that is in

the

FY > 2017-18 annual plan as well. > > Best, > Lisa > > On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM, James Heilman <jmh649(a)gmail.com>

invested

> > > inline > > > > > with our values. We should not be invested in stuff that

promotes

war > > or > > > > surveillance for example. I would image this is currently the

case

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/ mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe> > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/

> > wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ > > wiki/Wikimedia-l > > New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/

mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, > > > <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=

unsubscribe>

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<mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

-- Seddon *Advancement Associate (Community Engagement)* *Wikimedia Foundation* _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>

Andrea Zanni

9:26 a.m.

On Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 7:38 PM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

...

Thank you Lisa, I stand corrected. Aubrey

James Salsman

24 Aug 24 Aug

5:56 p.m.

On Wed, Aug 23, 2017 at 1:38 AM, Lisa Gruwell <lgruwell(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:

...

... regarding the Endowment: 1) I met with Lukas at Wikimania regarding SRI and the endowment. As James indicated, the endowment is invested through the Tides Foundation and this is one of the areas of expertise. We have been looking at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings as well as how funds perform against the benchmarks financially. We are going to be publishing more information about this soon.

I am very much looking forward to that. I hope the recommendations will be congruent with https://imgur.com/a/Op5UT When I look at https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-ethical-… I am not always inspired that the managers' goals are to maximize years of productive life.

Jimmy Wales

25 Aug 25 Aug

2 p.m.

On 8/21/17 6:48 PM, Rogol Domedonfors wrote:

...

I can't speak for anyone other than myself. Given the level of reserves that the WMF has today, your entire approach here (the assumption that $5 million going into the endowment therefore reduces spending) is invalid. There is enough money to do both. The question is therefore not "Why did you save the money for the future rather than spend it today?" The question is: why don't we increase spending today? We have always followed, and should continue to follow, a thoughtful process of strategic planning and budgeting. A windfall of cash from a successful fundraising should never give rise to immediate and poorly planned spending. If you believe, as I do, that we have a great opportunity to responsibly spend more money at the Foundation on suporting the projects in the next few years - then please support the strategic planning process - that's the right forum to have a voice in what happens next. Random demands for explanations on the mailing list - particulary when so fundamentally mistaken in basic assumptions - aren't really helpful. --Jimbo

Rogol Domedonfors

7:10 p.m.

Jimbo I understand you to say that the WMF could have afforded to spend $5M on direct support of volunteer contributors had it chosen to, without prejudice to the decision to place $5M into the Endowment. I seem to recall that you stated on Wikipedia that "I support expansion of the scholarship program (and thus spending more money on Wikimania overall)" Given that you believe that the money was in fact available for such a purpose, it seems that we are united in our regret that it was not spent for that purpose -- a full fee scholarship for all attendees would have consumed something like 5% of the sum which you say could have been made available, Perhaps you could persuade the Board of Trustees to consider your proposal in time for the Wikimania 2018 in Cape Town to use in their financial planning. It would also be splendid if the Board were to consider other ways of supporting volunteer content contributors, such as purchasing books, journal and library subscriptions and so forth. Redmond On Fri, Aug 25, 2017 at 3:00 PM, Jimmy Wales <jimmywales(a)wikia-inc.com> wrote:

...

On 8/21/17 6:48 PM, Rogol Domedonfors wrote:

I'm know that the WMF has determined that it should have some form of endowment, The question is -- as is usual in question of this sort --

one

of balance: in this case, balance between current spending for the

benefit

of the projects today, and accumulating capital for the benefit of the projects tomorrow. I am asking the Board to say why they decided to

strike

that balance where they did -- given the obvious need for that support right now -- and whether it is appropriate for large donors to apparently influence that decision.

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12 participants

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participants (12)

Andrea Zanni
Cristian Consonni
James Heilman
James Salsman
Jimmy Wales
Joseph Seddon
Lisa Gruwell
Lodewijk
Rogol Domedonfors
Strainu
Vi to
Yaroslav Blanter