Grants:Conference/Guidelines

Conference & Event Grants

Learn the information you need to apply for a Conference Grant, including eligibility, important steps in the application process and timelines.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We have updated our guidelines regarding organizing in-person events with Wikimedia Foundation grant funding.

Our new COVID-19 Risk Assessment protocol for in-person gatherings is designed to be sensitive to the constantly changing circumstances around this pandemic, and allow potential grantees and community members to assess their own ability to safely host events and activities.

If you are planning an in-person event plan to request funding, please follow the steps described in these guidelines before submitting a grant proposal. For current grants already in progress, please contact your program officer if you would like to include or change your activities to include in-person activities.

(effective September 10, 2020)

Eligibility Criteria If you have any questions about whether your group is eligible for a conference grant, please review the Funding FAQ's on the 'Events Team Portal', or contact a WMF program officer at conferencegrantswikimedia.org before you begin the application process.

Groups and organizations who are in compliance with grants and WMF agreements may apply. This means all outstanding grant reports for the grantee and fiscal sponsors must be complete prior to the proposal submission deadline.
Groups who do not have a shared bank account or individuals applying on behalf of a group must provide confirmation of an eligible fiscal sponsor who can accept grant funds on their behalf.
Individuals or groups who have never received a grant from the WMF over $5,000 USD should email conferencegrantswikimedia.org to discuss any challenges that might prevent WMF from sending you funds.
Organizations who are funded through Annual Plan Grants are not eligible for Conference & Event Grants, however they may act as fiscal sponsors for groups who are eligible. APG funded chapters may request a Conference & Event Grant for movement-wide or region-wide event, such as GLAMWiki conference, Wikisource Conference, WikiIndaba, CEE Meeting, etc.
Grantees must adhere to the Friendly space expectations and have some type of Friendly space policy for in-person events.
All sections in the grant proposal must be completed by the submission deadline.
If you are looking to host an in-person event, please make sure to review and follow the COVID-19 Risk Assessment protocol for in-person gathering.

Funding Criteria Proposals are reviewed according to the following criteria.

Evaluation criteria
Community engagement	Clear demonstration of community engagement in the planning process.
Impact potential	Is there a demonstrated need for the event? Are goals and intended outcomes clearly articulated, high priority, and reasonably achievable? Is there a plan for follow up after the event?
Ability to execute	Are there enough community members with the time and ability to plan and execute the event?

Additional guidelines for remote and local events during COVID 19