[Wikimedia Announcements] New WMF funding option for groups and organizations with annual plans

*Summary: * *1. Groups and organizations, a <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple>**pply <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple> by 1 November for funding by 1 January! * *2. Volunteers, join the committee <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple/Committee> today!* *4. Help us out with translation, please (see list of pages below).* Dear Wikimedia colleagues: We are piloting the *Simple Annual Plan Grants option, for groups and organizations* that choose to include program and operating expenses as part of one application each year. We are excited to move forward with this new option after making some changes to this idea based on what we learned from the recent consultation about Reimagining WMF Grants <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:IdeaLab/Reimagining_WMF_grants/Outcomes> . *Amazing benefits!* 1. *One application*. Funding for programs, operating expenses, and staff all in one application for the year, to enable organizations to plan with better, and to show how their programs are leading to impact. 2. *Simple process.* Simpler and speedier application, review, and reporting processes than grants through the FDC, with more flexible eligibility requirements, and open to informal groups as well as organizations. 3. *Targeted support*. WMF will be developing more guidelines and online resources specifically for groups and organizations, this option will include more support from WMF program staff during the application process and during each grant, and participants will be part of a learning community with other groups and organizations doing similar work. *Join us, in creating something new together!* 1. *Applications from groups and organizations that need funding by 1 January will be due 1 November. *More applications will also be accepted throughout the year. You can learn more about the program and how to apply here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple. If you are interested, but have questions about the timing of your application, please contact us. 2. If you want to review annual plan grants, we need you to join the committee! Add your name here if you want to help: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple/Committee. 3. We need your help translating the pages about the pilot, especially: - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple/About - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Simple/Eligibility (top) Groups and organizations with annual plans will still have the option to request funding through the Project and Event Grants program during the pilot. The pilot phase will be a time to learn together, and will be evaluated in several stages (at least one in early 2016, and one in early 2017), to discover if this program benefits applicants and grantees. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome on Meta! We've already received some helpful suggestions, and we hope to make improvements as we learn. Please contact me at wolliff(a)wikimedia.org with questions specific to your group or organization. Best regards, Winifred -- Winifred Olliff Program Officer Wikimedia Foundation