According to the wikimedia foundation the costs for hosting the service are covered for the next decades. Most of their money goes to lobbying and other political efforts.
So no. I like their website and am happy to help keep that funded but for now they don’t need help doing that
Not just political efforts - for example they fund their outreach programs and workshops for disadvantaged people to get their specialized knowledge onto Wikipedia.
But yeah, hosting is already funded therefore I dont currently feel the need to donate to Wikimedia.
When they plaster that "If everyone reading this donated $x.yz right now, we'd be done within the hour" message I'll usually donate exactly the amount it says.
Which is actually where donating to them can help. They fund editathons, outreach efforts, events, and conferences, some of which explicitly focus on getting information into Wikipedia from underrepresented areas or people.
I have in the past. I don't donate that much or that often as they are well funded and would like to help other projects as well. I don't make good money, so I often don't give more than a few dollars, but will try and do so recurring.
Hey! Fuck yeah, Octoprint! I'm a Patreon supporter and love the development. That shit about plugin manipulation was the catalyst to my contribution and highly recommend that platform for all new 3D printing enthusiasts!
Just got my 9 year sticker in the mail too.
I don't even use it as much these days, but it helped me a lot when I was starting out, and I still use it for the webcam.
Nope. But that's just because I'm wayward and perpetually broke. If I had my shit together I for sure would because it's been one of my main sources of information through the years, whether it's an interesting article or lists of things to collect / watch / listen to. And it's not enshitified or tacky and provides information in text form and not video form. So if it stays that way, the magical future me that is finally financially stable definitely will.
I read that Wikipedia is totally solvent. It needs no money.
However, I have also read that the Wikimedia foundation (which runs Wikipedia) uses a lot of money on other things, including giving money to other nonprofits..
While I do wish they’d cut back their spending in order to build up enough of an endowment to be good forever, that whole thread just reads like a crappy hit piece where someone is mad that Wikimedia contributes to social and more liberal causes.
My opinion is probably different than a lot of folks’. But when we’ve got billionaires using their ridiculous amounts of money to buy the United States and trying to do the same elsewhere in the world, I’d rather keep supporting an org that aligns with beliefs that aren’t fascist, racist, evil, etc. and Wikipedia is one of the best parts of the internet still, so I like supporting them in general.
That being said, I appreciate the read, it was interesting.
Yes, I usually do so at the end-of-the-year funding drive they always have between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The amount generally varies based on how much I’ve used it each year and how generous I feel, but I do think it’s a useful service, and I don’t want to see them having to resort to showing advertisements in order to pay their bills.
There's always someone out there who will say that about anything. And there are always questionable people who would take advantage of others charity. Don't let that stop you from trying to spread good.
Being able to run a site without donations for years without any incoming donations is a great thing, but years isn't really that long, and what would happen when that money ran out? There would be a last minute funding push for a company with a proven record of financial malpractice, who would want to donate to it then?
You're right that the editors don't get money, but they do get a reputable unbiased platform that they can share their knowledge on, and for many people that's more than enough. (Source: Wikipedia, Reddit, Lemmy)
51 Comments
tal@lemmy.today · 39 pts · 1y
I have done so on occasion.
I get quite a lot of good out of Wikipedia.
istdaslol@feddit.org · 34 pts · 1y
According to the wikimedia foundation the costs for hosting the service are covered for the next decades. Most of their money goes to lobbying and other political efforts.
So no. I like their website and am happy to help keep that funded but for now they don’t need help doing that
ruk_n_rul@monyet.cc · 22 pts · 1y
I would like to add that the Internet Archive otoh is on treacherous water and could use some of the dono.
Microw@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
Not just political efforts - for example they fund their outreach programs and workshops for disadvantaged people to get their specialized knowledge onto Wikipedia.
But yeah, hosting is already funded therefore I dont currently feel the need to donate to Wikimedia.
enbiousenvy@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 19 pts · 1y
I think like Archive.org deserve a bit more attention as I feel Wikipedia is doing good enough.
zkfcfbzr@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 1y
When they plaster that "If everyone reading this donated $x.yz right now, we'd be done within the hour" message I'll usually donate exactly the amount it says.
TheIvoryTower@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 1y
Once a year, $10 or so
TheFeatureCreature@lemmy.ca · 14 pts · 1y
Every so often, yeah. Usually $10-$20CAD or so.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 13 pts · 1y
I barely have money to keep myself alive, let alone the sum of all human knowledge's website.
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 9 pts · 1y
Blaze@piefed.social · 5 pts · 1y
Is there any equivalent in non-Western countries?
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 3 pts · 1y
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 3 pts · 1y
Blaze@piefed.social · 4 pts · 1y
Appreciated!
Microw@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 1y
Which is actually where donating to them can help. They fund editathons, outreach efforts, events, and conferences, some of which explicitly focus on getting information into Wikipedia from underrepresented areas or people.
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 1 pts · 1y
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works · 0 pts · 1y
Smells like an opportunity to me!
If you go all in and work really hard, I bet you could make 10 of dollars. Maybe even 20 over time.
InternetCitizen2@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 1y
I have in the past. I don't donate that much or that often as they are well funded and would like to help other projects as well. I don't make good money, so I often don't give more than a few dollars, but will try and do so recurring.
InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 1y
I donate monthly to Wikipedia, Signal, and Octoprint.
Probably cheaper than Netflix too nowadays.
Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y
I give to wiki, but recently convinced my wife we don't need Netflix. Feels great tbh
mjhelto@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
Hey! Fuck yeah, Octoprint! I'm a Patreon supporter and love the development. That shit about plugin manipulation was the catalyst to my contribution and highly recommend that platform for all new 3D printing enthusiasts!
InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y
Just got my 9 year sticker in the mail too.
I don't even use it as much these days, but it helped me a lot when I was starting out, and I still use it for the webcam.
BoozeOrWater@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 1y
Hello,
FYI, we moved to https://sh.itjust.works/c/casualconversation@piefed.social!
Hylactor@sopuli.xyz · 9 pts · 1y
Yes. It's important.
PunnyName@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y
Occasionally
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works · 0 pts · 1y
Ever play roulette?
lvxferre@mander.xyz · 6 pts · 1y
Irelephant@lemm.ee · 6 pts · 1y
Not regularly, but once or twice. I think a lot more people should donate to the internet archive though.
recursive_recursion@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 1y
Yup
I haven't donated recently but am planning to do so again once I've found a stable job
unmagical@lemmy.ml · 5 pts · 1y
Yes, monthly.
drdiddlybadger@pawb.social · 2 pts · 1y
Same here
paddythegeek@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y
Same
Secret_Music@crazypeople.online · 5 pts · 1y
Nope. But that's just because I'm wayward and perpetually broke. If I had my shit together I for sure would because it's been one of my main sources of information through the years, whether it's an interesting article or lists of things to collect / watch / listen to. And it's not enshitified or tacky and provides information in text form and not video form. So if it stays that way, the magical future me that is finally financially stable definitely will.
AntelopeRoom@lemm.ee · 4 pts · 1y
assembly@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y
About once a year I do something like $25. It’s about the time of year I do my NPR donation and anything else I have been procrastinating.
MyNameIsAtticus@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y
When I can. It’s an important source and has helped me out a lot. Plus where would I be without my Wikipedia rabbit hole dives
Cruxifux@feddit.nl · 4 pts · 1y
No
Pika@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1y
I used to until they started getting naggy over email and started guilt trippy on their donation messages.
Octospider@lemm.ee · 3 pts · 1y
I read that Wikipedia is totally solvent. It needs no money.
However, I have also read that the Wikimedia foundation (which runs Wikipedia) uses a lot of money on other things, including giving money to other nonprofits..
Further reading:
Wikimedia Spending
"Wikipedia has cancer"
tux@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 1y
While I do wish they’d cut back their spending in order to build up enough of an endowment to be good forever, that whole thread just reads like a crappy hit piece where someone is mad that Wikimedia contributes to social and more liberal causes.
My opinion is probably different than a lot of folks’. But when we’ve got billionaires using their ridiculous amounts of money to buy the United States and trying to do the same elsewhere in the world, I’d rather keep supporting an org that aligns with beliefs that aren’t fascist, racist, evil, etc. and Wikipedia is one of the best parts of the internet still, so I like supporting them in general.
That being said, I appreciate the read, it was interesting.
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1y
Every single year. $20 or $25
MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · 3 pts · 1y
Yes, I usually do so at the end-of-the-year funding drive they always have between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The amount generally varies based on how much I’ve used it each year and how generous I feel, but I do think it’s a useful service, and I don’t want to see them having to resort to showing advertisements in order to pay their bills.
CookieOfFortune@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
Yes. A decent amount per month and my company matches.
Jimmycakes@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
Yeah during the donation drive $5 or whatever the number they are asking for
Zerlyna@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
I have in the past, yes.
Frostbeard@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
5 usd a month
titey@jlai.lu · 2 pts · 1y
Yeah, each year 😄
NeedyPlatter@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y
I donated $5 to them once. I plan to donate more to them when I get the money.
tomkatt@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
I do. I donate $5 or $10 every few months and I add the $1 donation to Wikimedia with my PayPal transactions.
I also donate to NPR periodically, PBS and my local food bank monthly.
Nemo@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 1y
I've donated information but never money.
Krudler@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 296d
Shimitar@downonthestreet.eu · 1 pts · 1y
I did, a few times. Small amounts, but i think it's important to contribute.
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
Yes, been doing it for years.
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 0 pts · 1y
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y
Zimbabwe dollars?
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 0 pts · 1y
onion_trial@europe.pub · -3 pts · 1y
drdiddlybadger@pawb.social · 4 pts · 1y
Yeah but Elon Musk hates them so they get my money.
onion_trial@europe.pub · 1 pts · 1y
Donjuanme@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
There's always someone out there who will say that about anything. And there are always questionable people who would take advantage of others charity. Don't let that stop you from trying to spread good.
onion_trial@europe.pub · 1 pts · 1y
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 2 pts · 1y
ZDL@ttrpg.network · 0 pts · 1y
onion_trial@europe.pub · 0 pts · 1y
Microw@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
They fund interesting projects anyways. It's not like all donations go into managers pockets. But yes it is something to keep in mind for sure.
onion_trial@europe.pub · 1 pts · 1y
Donjuanme@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
Being able to run a site without donations for years without any incoming donations is a great thing, but years isn't really that long, and what would happen when that money ran out? There would be a last minute funding push for a company with a proven record of financial malpractice, who would want to donate to it then?
You're right that the editors don't get money, but they do get a reputable unbiased platform that they can share their knowledge on, and for many people that's more than enough. (Source: Wikipedia, Reddit, Lemmy)
onion_trial@europe.pub · 1 pts · 1y