2009/11/29 Laura Hale laura@fanhistory.com:
As for where Fan History's proposal to join WMF stands now, we're not sure. The mailing list conversation died. Strategy wiki's only commentary has been regarding getting us off the blacklist for Foundation projects.
Sincerely, Laura Hale
I think it's time to stop messing you around. I'm not part of the foundation and I can't speak for it however:
1)at this point you basically have to assume the answer is no. The only people who could okay you joining are Sue Gardner or a direct board vote. Neither Sue nor the board have shown much interest and you are unlikely to get enough community backing to make them do so.
2)Even if it did happen "staffers getting some form of compensation" is right out. The WMF has far less than 1 employee per wiki.
3)Timelines. The general rule with regards to wikimedia projects is that if something doesn't happen fast it probably won't happen and if it does it will take years.
As for alternative partnerships Tvtropes are by far the most obvious (large community,shared interests) but dealing with the software issues would be quite a trick.