Hi,
I would like to point out a couple of points: * WMF or other affiliates can (and should, IMHO) look out for sponsorships towards other organisations worth supporting when there is the occasion, this is IMHO a legitimate activity (and "investment") as any other, i.e. the sponsor gains the visibility ensuing the sponsorship. The evaluation of the worthiness and impact of these activities is then left to the single entities, as for any other activity. * we could start thinking if these entities could become WMF affiliates and go after the processes the other affiliates go through for funding their own projects (i.e. GAC) or more generally all of their activity (e.g. FDC). I have been thinking about whether the processes we currently use are usable also for the rest of the free/open knowledge in the world. Alternatively, we could set-up a different process, if needed. In general, my point would be that it is up for other organisations to come and seek funding instead of Wikimedia Foundation proposing to support them. Does this make sense?
On a completely different level on this discussion, I would like to point out that Wikimedia Italia has started the process to become local chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation in Italy.
Cristian