Hello all,
In this email, I would like to propose a few ideas for grants and
money-raising, in order to get community feedback. The focus of this email will be
smaller grants and donations.
In the past few months, various people have raised projects that require
particular funding. This ranges from the large amount required to put the
Ultimate Wiktionary project into motion by developing an appropriate database, to
smaller projects such as Amikeco's work in the Ossetian language and Guako's
work promoting Wikimedia projects in Mali. Should the Foundation choose to go
ahead with these projects—and in some cases, it already has--the potential
costs will add to our existing budget for regular maintenance, new servers,
transportation and communication expenses, etc.
That is not to say that these projects should not be pursued. In fact, some
people might have a particular interest in promoting one or another of these
projects.
I therefore suggest that donors have the possibility of earmarking their
donation. That is to say, they will have the ability to specify where they want
their money to go. In that case, one donor may give specifically for servers,
while another donor may give specifically to promote a language, print a
particular wikibook, or whatever.
The option will work as follows:
1. People interested in promoting particular projects will be asked to
create a project page, and to submit a budget for their project. The "Total
Cost" will be the amount of money they would like to collect for the project +
the additional percentage charged by PayPal. + 10 percent (to be explained
below). Budgets should be as detailed as possible to inspire confidence in the
project and explain exactly where the money is going.
1. Donors giving to the Foundation will have the option of either
giving directly to the general running costs of Wikimedia or perusing the list of
specific projects. They can then decide how they want their money to be
spent.
1. IMPORTANT: In the event that people decide to give money to a
specific project, it will be made clear to them that 10 percent will be deducted
automatically for "Overhead," i.e., the day-to-day costs of running the
Wikimedia Foundation. In other words, even if someone decides to give $100 toward
printing the Wiki-Roadkill-Cookbook with scratch-and-smell recipes, $10 dollars
will still be deducted for use by the Foundation as the Board sees fit.
1. Sums collected will be charted on the project page. Once a project
has reached its target sum, it will be removed from the list of projects
available to donors. Any additional funds earned will be given to the general
Foundation fund.
Advantages
I believe that this proposal has a number of important advantages.
1. This allows us to focus on our goals as a charitable organization,
with the objective of giving to others.
2. It allows for projects to grow naturally as a reflection of the
interests of the community and the donors.
3. People involved in specific projects will naturally assume the
responsibility of "Project Heads" and naturally grow to fill leadership positions
4. Motivated individuals will promote their projects, gaining them
greater visibility.
5. Public budgets for projects will foster greater transparency of the
financial process. People like to know where their money is going and how it
is being spent.
6. With several projects emerging, the Foundation will be able to
release a "Catalogue of Giving Opportunities" for potential donors, including
large-gift donors.
7. Budgets for these projects will be a genuine reflection of needs,
and benefit from being accessible to community comment.
Disadvantages
Though I am thoroughly biased in favor of this, I have not discussed it with
Mav and others involved in finances, and I want to make sure something of
this sort is feasible, and that it does not pose too much work on people
handling the money.
I am very eager to hear your responses to this proposal. More proposals
regarding larger grants will be forthcoming over the next few days.
Danny
Member, Wikimedia Grants Team