Dear Wikimedia Community:
As you may know, the Funds Dissemination Committee (FDC) makes recommendations to the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees on how to allocate movement funds to best meet Wikimedia goals and strategic priorities. [1]http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Funds_Dissemination_Committee/Framework_for_the_Creation_and_Initial_Operation_of_the_FDC The Wikimedia Foundation has now published a list of 2013-2014 Round 2 Annual Plan Grant eligible entities [2]https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FDC_portal/Eligibility_checklist/2013-2014_round2 based the eligibility criteria [3]https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FDC_portal/Eligibility_criteria established in the Funds Dissemination Committee framework. Please let us know if you believe there are any corrections to be made to this list.
The six entities that submitted Letters of Intent for Round 2 2013-2014 are categorized in 'Yes', 'Yes, If', and 'No' categories based the eligibility criteria. Entities who are interested in applying for funds through the FDC, but are currently ineligible due to compliance issues (i.e.: those who fall into the 'Yes, If' category detailed above) should work with WMF to develop a plan to correct compliance issues. Please note that any entity in the 'Yes, If' category must post all missing documents on Meta by *15 March 2014* to be eligible to apply to the FDC for Annual Plan Grants. As we have done in the past, the WMF Finance Team and the FDC staff will work closely with all entities in the “Yes, If” category to ensure that they are aware of their current and potential gaps in eligibility.
After the eligibility period closes on *15 March 2014*, WMF will post the final list of the entities eligible to apply to the FDC for funding. Please note that entities will need to remain in compliance with all Chapter Agreements and Grant Agreements until funds are sent in order to receive a grant through the FDC process, even if eligibility is confirmed as "Yes" on *15 March 2014*. All entities that apply for FDC funding will be required to maintain eligibility throughout the duration of the proposal review process until funds are sent (or until the decision on whether to send funds is made). We encourage you to get in touch with us if you have any questions about your entity's gaps or potential gaps.
A note on the eligibility table itself: based on feedback received, we’ve attempted to clarify the eligibility process by condensing two eligibility tables into one table. It should now be easier, at a glance, to understand where there are eligibility gaps for the six entities that submitted Letters of Intent. Gaps and potential gaps are outlined up front. WMF staff will update the table as entities close their eligibility gaps. Like with last round, you’ll note there’s a column on “potential gaps” for entities to track as the FDC process continues. This change was made to allow entities, the FDC, and the FDC staff to track eligibility better and ensure that everyone is informed of potential as well as current issues that may affect eligibility.
All proposals created by eligible entities for Annual Plan Grants from the FDC must be submitted by *1 April 2014* via the FDC proposal creation tool on the portal. FDC staff will reach out to eligible entities when the tool is ready for use.
Please note that I am using the new dates announced by Anasuya Sengupta in her email to the Community.
One final note: entities who are ineligible or who would prefer not to go through the FDC process in this round may seek funding through the Project and Event Grants Program (formerly the Wikimedia Foundation Grants Program). [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Index
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and the FDC support team ( FDCSupport@wikimedia.org) with any questions or requests for clarification.
Sincerely;
Garfield Byrd Chief of Finance and Administration Wikimedia Foundation
[1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Funds_Dissemination_Committee/Framework_for_t... [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FDC_portal/Eligibility_checklist/2013-2014_r... [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FDC_portal/Eligibility_criteria [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Index https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FDC_portal/Eligibility_checklist/2013-2014_round2