joshua.zelinsky@yale.edu wrote:
[...] I propose that we create a fund to support editors who are being harassed solely or mainly because of legitimate on-Wikipedia work. We fund this through contributions from the community. No WMF money would be involved, but perhaps they would consent to hold and/or supervise the fund. [...]
I've discussed this idea with a few editors before including JzG, Slimvirgin and KillerChihuaha all who thought it was a good idea. Unfortunately the first two of those are no longer active. In both cases they might very well be active if we did have such a fund. IANAL but we would need to set it up as a 501c3 probably and make very sure to keep it very separate from the foundation. The foundation is more important than anyone editor and must be well insulated against any legal foul ups by editors.
Keeping it separate certainly would keep things clearer, especially given that during any actual use of something like this, there would probably be drama a-plenty for the Foundation to deal with.
Is there some separate but sympathetic non-profit that would be able to give this a home? For the lawsuit defense stuff, we might be able to talk the EFF into it, but the rest seems well away from what they do. I know the Tides Foundation will occasionally shelter fractional non-profits, but this doesn't seem quite up their alley either.
William