[Foundation-l] Wikimedia Foundation Form 990 Now Posted

[Veronique Kessler]

Hi Nemo,

Thanks for your questions. 

Yes, we answered No to Part VI, section A, line 7a since the Board 
ultimately approves the seats.  However, we are a unique organization 
and I think for the next 990, I will include an explanation in Schedule 
O that explains the process.  Usually you only include info on Schedule 
O if you answer yes, but either way, it would be good to include that 
information going forward.

Yes, the data provider services contains the live-feed revenue and 
licensing revenue and yes, it is contained in the $398K in the financial 
statements.

Regarding the gift policy, we clearly have a gift policy.  When you look 
at the instructions related to how to answer that question, it talks 
about the definition of a non-standard contribution which is very 
specific.  Since we didn't specifically name in our gift policy the 
specifics of a non-standard contribution per the definition of the IRS, 
we marked it no.  I spoke with KPMG this morning and there could be an 
argument made for us answering it either way, but I and KPMG are 
comfortable with the answer we gave.

Veronique

Federico Leva (Nemo) wrote:
> Veronique Kessler, 27/04/2010 02:08:
>> Please note that the 2008 Form 990 which covers fiscal year July 1, 
>> 2008 through June 30, 2009 has been posted to the Wikimedia 
>> Foundation website at:
>> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:WMF_2008_2009_Form_990.pdf
>
> Thank you. (I love to read these documents, even if there are lots of 
> unnecessary bureaucracy, for which I sympathize with you; even in 
> Italy we have a law which says that the State can't ask you some 
> information you have already given in some other communication...)
>
>> Also posted are questions and answers which can be found at: 
>> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Form_2008_Questions_and_Answers
>>
>> Of course I am available to answer questions as well.
>
> I'm a bit late here, but I have three (little) questions:
> 1) Page 7, part VI, section A, line 7a: "Does the organization have 
> members, stockholders, or other persons who may elect one or more 
> members of the governing body?" Why is the answer "no"? Because of the 
> definition of "elect" (perhaps they're not considered elected because 
> a board resolution is needed)?
> 2) Page 9, part VIII, line 2a: what are those 366,232 $ of program 
> service revenue from data provider services? Are they included in 
> "Other income, net" line in the financial statement (398,149 $)?
> 3) Page 31, schedule M, part I, line 31: "Does the organization have a 
> gift acceptance policy that requires the review of any non-standard 
> contributions?", answer "no". Isn't WMF gift policy 
> (<http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Gift_policy#Accepting_Gifts.2FPrivate_Grants_--_Board_Approval> 
> ) enough?
> Thank you,
>     Nemo