Hey all,
Please forgive me if this is an inappropriate post as it is my first. In
reviewing a lot of the FAQs about Donations and Donation Matching, I thought
that perhaps it could be a great idea if sites could offer to their users
the ability to pledge a donation in their name.
My thought was this: a small Donate to Wikipedia in __________'s name. could
be placed on e-commerce sites that would allow people to add $1 or $2 to
their order, knowing that it would be donated to Wikipedia. I would be much
more inclined to donate $100. or more to Wikipedia if I could do it at $1
increments and wrap my donation up in my business expenditures. Then
businesses that strongly support Wikipedia could proudly post their
donations on their sites where they could show user contributions as well as
their own donations and the amount they matched, for example. This would
simultaneously boost support for Wikipedia financially, but moreover would
increase public awareness of Wikipedia (Wikimedia as well).
I have given it a great deal of thought, but wanted to pass it by the list
before I spent any more time on the issue. You see I have an expense account
that allows me to purchase equipment//software, etc. and could easily get
away with (legitimately--no deceit) rationalizing the occasional small
donation as part of my expense. But, unfortunately, I have little or no
money personally to donate and I cherish Wikipedia: A day without Wikipedia
is like a day without sunshine.
I am trying to get my company to make at least a small donation since we use
Wikipedia nearly every day and find it to be a terrific resource. Keep up
the great work.
Jase