Hi, we have prepared a report summarizing strategic data and activities related to the recommendation Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement, focusing on projects led by the Wikimedia Foundation. It includes a section about this initiative that I’m copying here for convenience and automatic translations.
Implementing this initiative requires the creation of a revenue-generation policy, the diversification of revenue streams, and the development of local fundraising skills.
The drafting and discussion of the Movement Charter, a project supported by the Foundation, are expected to foster a coordinated effort to produce a revenue-generation policy for all Wikimedia entities during 2023. Alongside the work of the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, there are several activities done in the context of this MS initiative:
- The Advancement department launched the Wikimedia Endowment in 2016 as a permanent safekeeping fund, and it reached its initial $100 million goal in 2021. In 2022-23, the Endowment started to offset its own costs with a payment of $1,8 million to the Foundation. It also distributed $3,2 million in grants to Wikimedia projects for the first time. A Planned Giving program has been developed as a way to collect pledges for future donations.
- Since 2018, the Foundation has developed a revenue strategy to build a secure financial future for Wikimedia based on the diversification of revenue channels. Examples of the implementation of this strategy include the implementation of local payment methods in India and Latin America, the increase of monthly recurring donations, and the strengthening of email-based outreach to potential donors. For details, see the annual Fundraising Reports (i.e. FY2021-22)
- An informal group of European fundraising specialists in the movement meets regularly, inviting Foundation staff and some affiliates’ executive directors and fundraising staff. The group exchanges information and provides peer support on fundraising topics relevant to them.