[Foundation-l] Fwd: Wikimedia India Program Trust

Fri Nov 11 19:24:34 UTC 2011

Responses below...

On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 10:47 AM, Theo10011 <de10011 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I meant to ask earlier, since the fundraiser already started and this is
> being announced now.
>

No relationship between this announcement and the fundraiser.  The Trust
has been in the works for months, but it takes months to get the approvals
to launch it.

>
> Is this trust set-up to participate in the annual fundraiser?

Again, the trust is setup to support program work in India. It was not set
up as a vehicle for the annual fundraiser.

> processing
> donations on-behalf of WMF internally? or would it seek to do so in future?
> I know you mention FCRA and external funding after approval but what about
> internal funding through the annual fundraiser.
>

Our fundraising team did ask (literally this week) if the Trust might be
able to process payments for bank transfers (which is an option they would
like to offer Indian donors) and requires a domestic processor of some
sort.  We are looking into this with lawyers and accountants, but from my
perspective, I'd rather not have the Trust involved in the annual
fundraiser. It would help us all (meaning everyone involved in India) to
have funds available domestically to avoid the issues with international
funds transfers mentioned earlier, but I don't want it to be a distraction
from the priority in India - working with the community and chapter to good
program work that advances the mission.  Fundraising in India is nice to
have, but money isn't really our greatest challenge.

More directly to your questions...the Trust is an independent org, so
technically it cannot serve as an "internal" processor for WMF.  The
question of "seeking to in the future" is open (as it should be because
there is no need to close doors at this time), but I shared my current
view.

>
> Theo
>
> Best,
Barry

> On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 10:41 AM, Hisham <hmundol at wikimedia.org> wrote:
>
> > cross-posting to foundation-l & internal-l from India Community list;
> > apologies if you've read this already.
> >
> > hisham
> >
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> > > From: Hisham <hmundol at wikimedia.org>
> > > Subject: Wikimedia India Program Trust
> > > Date: November 11, 2011 9:55:00 AM GMT+05:30
> > > To: Wikimedia India Community list <
> wikimediaindia-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Folks,
> > > I'm writing to share an update with you on certain developments of
> > relevance to the Wikimedia movement in India.
> > >
> > > Announcement of Wikimedia India Program Trust
> > > For some time, efforts have gone into creating an organization that
> > would provide an appropriate structure to support Wikimedia program
> > activities in India.  Aspects such as the current regulatory framework
> > (regarding funding, taxation, etc.) as well as the legal protection for
> the
> > India team have been considered to determine this structure. In this
> > context, a host of options (e.g. subsidiary, branch, Section 25) were
> > evaluated and a determination was made towards an independent non-profit
> > public trust. Legal advice has been taken at every stage in this
> decision.
> > >
> > > A new entity, the “Wikimedia India Program Trust”, has now been formed
> > and registered (in Delhi.) This will be the organization that will
> > eventually drive India programs and house the team in India.
> > >
> > > Why an Independent Public Trust?
> > > The Trust will provide an effective vehicle within India to marshal
> > resources to support programs and partner with local institutions. The
> > objective of the Trust is to promote the objectives of the Wikimedia
> > movement and work closely with the Wikimedia community on various
> projects
> > with an India focus. It is important to understand that the Trust will
> not
> > have any editorial control over content on any of the Wikimedia projects.
> > The Trust is a not for profit organization.
> > >
> > > Introduction of Trustees
> > > Trustees have been identified based upon their support for Wikimedia
> > movement's principles and plans in addition to having reputations for
> good
> > governance and management.
> > >
> > > Sunil Abraham and Rahul Matthan have been requested to be the initial
> > Trustees.  Both are friends of Wikipedia and have extensive experience.
> > >
> > > Sunil is Executive Director of the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS),
> > is a long term advocate of free software and IP reform and has been
> > supporting the Wikimedia community and movement for some time now.
> > >
> > > Rahul is a partner and heads the technology practice at Trilegal. He
> > brings deep expertise and relationships that will be valuable for the
> Trust.
> > >
> > > These initial Trustees will serve for a term of three years at the
> > maximum.  All additional or subsequent Trustees will serve on rotation in
> > accordance with a trustee selection plan that will be prepared.
> > >
> > > Trustees will not be compensated for their services.
> > >
> > > Governance, Funding, Financial Standards & Communications of the Trust
> > > The Trust will be governed by Trustees who will provide oversight and
> > guidance regarding the operations and governance of the Trust.
> > >
> > > Since the Trust is an independent organization, it will require funding
> > for its operations which is in compliance with the legal and regulatory
> > framework in India. It will seek funding from private donors within India
> > as well as external sources.
> > >
> > > The Trust has the support of the Wikimedia Foundation which is a United
> > States based non-profit foundation. However, in India all non-profit
> > organizations need to be in existence for 3 years before they can receive
> > funding from sources outside India. In the interim, they can apply for
> > prior-permission under the FCRA regulations to help expedite the process.
> > As a result, the Trust will shortly be applying for approval to receive
> > funds from the Wikimedia Foundation in the future.
> > >
> > > As a Trust, we are required to have an independent external auditor. We
> > have appointed KPMG. KPMG is experienced in auditing non-profit companies
> > and are also auditors for the Wikimedia Foundation.
> > >
> > > Annually, the Trust will publicly disclose it's independently audited
> > financial statements.
> > >
> > > The Trust will publish a monthly newsletter outlining its current
> > activities and future plans. This will commence in December 2011.
> > >
> > > Operations of the Trust
> > > The trust deed under which the Trust must operate clearly states that
> > the purpose of the Trust is to independently promote the growth of
> > volunteer activities within India in support of effective and
> unrestricted
> > dissemination of free knowledge to the public.
> > >
> > > I will serve as the Executive Director of the Trust. Once it is
> > possible, additional employees will be brought on to the Trust
> > >
> > > The Trust will eventually have an office in Delhi.
> > >
> > > In the interim, I have personally secured temporary office space to
> > facilitate establishing the Trust and its mission. It is located at Top
> > Floor, G-15, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016. It's a couple of minutes
> walk
> > away from IIT Flyover and Hauz Khas Metro. Do drop in! It's a small but
> > cozy place and we'd love to have you over!
> > >
> > > Conclusion
> > > We continue to make progress in setting up program activities to
> support
> > the growth of Wikimedia in India. We have a long way to go, but are glad
> > that we are starting to build a solid foundation.
> > >
> > > The following link is for FAQs on this (and related) topics:
> >
> http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/FAQ_India_Programs/FAQ_Wikimedia_India_Program_Trust
> > >
> > > As always, do reach out if you have any comments or questions.
> > >
> > > Warm Regards,
> > >
> > > hisham
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > foundation-l mailing list
> > foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> > Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
> >
> _______________________________________________
> foundation-l mailing list
> foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-l
>

-- 
Barry Newstead
Chief Global Development Officer
Wikimedia Foundation

Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in
the sum of all knowledge.  Help us make it a reality!

http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Donate