Hi everyone, 

(Apologies for cross-posting.)

Last month, we shared a survey to inform the planning and funding processes of Wikipedia 20 anniversary celebrations. The survey results have demonstrated interest in hosting virtual and in-person events around the world to celebrate Wikipedia’s 20th birthday. 

We are excited to announce that the Wikimedia Foundation will be supporting individuals and groups planning to hold Wikipedia 20 celebration events through the Rapid Grants program.

The Rapid Grants program can support event plans with a budget ranging from 500 USD, up to 2,000 USD. All the details, the eligibility criteria, and the application form are available on the Wikipedia 20 grants meta page. [1]

Applications for Rapid Grants are accepted between the 1st and 15th of each month, and a decision on the application is, typically, ready by the end of that month. For applicants who would like to host Wikipedia celebration events during the month of January 2021, we highly recommend applying as soon as possible (i.e. during the November 2020 cycle). For later events through the end of 2021, applications will continue to be open later in the year. 

*Other funding opportunities*

If your plans for the Wikipedia 20 celebration event don’t meet some of the eligibility criteria for a Rapid Grant (e.g. your budget is expected to exceed $2000), you may want to consider reducing the scale of your activities, or to explore other grant opportunities that may better support your plan:

• Additional funding for Conference & Event grantees (e.g. for a regional or thematic conference) who wish to incorporate a celebration event to an existing conference. [2]

• Conference & Event Grants to support celebration events for more than 2000 USD. [2]

*Round one applications for Conference & Event grants is now closed. Details for round two (for events that will be held between July and December 2021) will be announced on the conference and event grants page. 

For more information on Wikipedia 20, please visit the Wikipedia 20 grants meta page. [1]

Thank you and please share the message with your communities! 

On behalf of the Wikipedia 20 team, Samir Elsharbaty

[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_20/Grants 

[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Conference