Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Alliances Fund
 | Thank you for your interest in the Alliances Fund Programme. The 3-year pilot grant programme is now closed. We will not be accepting further applications. For existing grantees, please continue working with your regional programme officer to complete the implementation of your project. We will also be sharing learnings from the grant programme in due course. |
Wikimedia Alliances Fund
Who?
Non-profit organisations with aligned mission in East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa funding regions; by invitation only
What?
Proposals that contribute to the strategic direction of the Wikimedia Movement.
When?
4 months of processing time, 1 round in a year
How much?
250,000 USD is available in total for all invited organizations
How to apply
Thank you for your interest in the Alliances Fund Programme. The 3-year pilot grant programme is now closed. We will not be accepting further applications. For existing grantees, please continue working with your regional programme officer to complete the implementation of your project. We will also be sharing learnings from the grant programme in due course.
What we fund
The Wikimedia Alliances Fund supported mission-aligned organizations, which work in regions and communities that are underrepresented in our movement, and can partner with the Wikimedia Movement to amplify each other's work.
The Wikimedia Alliances Fund supported organizations that can contribute toward the strategic direction of the Wikimedia Movement, especially those that promote knowledge equity. We emphasize the need for underrepresented communities and historically marginalized communities in the movement to have access to resources they need to accomplish their goals. Programs from mission-aligned organizations and groups can focus on supporting contributors, editors, content, awareness, skill-building initiatives, advocacy efforts, strategic planning and developing stable partnerships with local Wikimedia communities and Wikimedia projects.
Programs from mission-aligned organizations and groups could focus on supporting:
- contributors and editors,
- content,
- awareness and skill-building initiatives,
- advocacy efforts,
- strategic planning
- partnerships with local Wikimedia communities and Wikimedia projects.
Review applications
Review reports
| Final Reports from FY 2023-24 |
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No pages meet these criteria. |
Application support
Application forms
Review of applications and decision
- Applications submitted by the invited organisations were reviewed and approved by the Regional Funds Committees.
- Regional Funds Committee members received support from the Regional and Alliance Fund Program Officers. Program proposals were awarded for one year.
It was recommended that organisations applying for the Wikimedia Alliances Fund would have a local wiki community advisor who can support in the development and implementation of the proposal.
The Wikimedia Alliances Fund Program Officer would offer the following support to applicants during the proposal development process:
- Provide background and context overview of local Wikimedia communities
- Drafting and revision of application
- Support in using Wiki platforms i.e. meta, mailing lists for (reporting and documentation)
- Introductions to possible community contacts for collaboration
Timeline
Timeline for invited organizations from Sub-Saharan Africa and East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific funding regions. There is one application round in a year.
February 9 - March 1, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
March 1, 2024
Submission deadline
March 4 - March 29, 2024
Review and translation
March 29 - April 19, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 3, 2024
Decision announced
May 17 - May 31, 2024
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2025
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2025
Final or first year report due
February 15, 2024 - March 14, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
March 14, 2024
Submission deadline
March 15 - April 22, 2024
Review and translation
April 22 - May 6, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 23, 2024
Decision announced
June 6, 2024 - June 30, 2024
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2025
Midpoint conversation
August 15, 2025
Final or first year report due
| Funding region | Submission deadline | Decisions announced |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | March 1, 2024 | May 3, 2024 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific | March 14, 2024 | May 23, 2024 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant proposal support starts | February 9, 2024 | February 15, 2024 |
| Eligibility check | February 9 - March 1, 2024 | February 16 - March 14, 2024 |
| Submission deadline | March 1, 2024 | March 14, 2024 |
| Application translation support | March 4 - March 8, 2024 | March 15 - April 5, 2024 |
| Review starts | March 11, 2024 | March 18, 2024 |
| Feedback received | March 29, 2024 | April 29, 2024 |
| Engaging with feedback | March 29 - April 19, 2024 | April 29 - May 13, 2024 |
| Decision announced | May 3, 2024 | May 23, 2024 |
| Agreement signed | May 17, 2024 | June 6, 2024 |
| First payment sent | May 17 - May 31, 2024 | June 7 - June 30, 2024 |
| Midpoint learning conversation | January 15, 2025 | January 15, 2025 |
| Final report due | July 31, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
Eligibility requirements
All organizations should be compliant with Wikimedia Foundation’s requirements for funding. An eligibility check will be conducted before the review process. This step will be coordinated by the Grant Administrators for the Wikimedia Alliances Fund, with support from the Program Officer (PO).
The following are basic criteria that must be met by all Wikimedia Alliances Fund applicants in order for a proposal to be reviewed:
- Proposed programs and activities are aligned with the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation.
- Applicants to the Wikimedia Alliances Fund should also have demonstrable experience with Wikimedia projects, communities, or organizations directly related to the proposal prior to submission. Proposals primarily focused on building introductory experience with Wikimedia projects or communities are ineligible for review.
- Applicant must follow the Universal Code of Conduct and Friendly Space Policies
- Youth Safety Policy must be in place for any activity that involves underage community members
- Applicant is within a country that can legally receive funding for the described activities and expenses based on laws on sending and receiving funds in the United States and their country
- Applicant does not appear on the United States Department of Treasury Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List (SDN)
- Applicants must be in compliance with any prior reporting requirements for any past projects funded through the Wikimedia Foundation
- Works and contributions must be able to be published under ethical, open access agreements
- Applications must be for future, planned work
- Proposed activities that meet the United States Internal Revenue Service definition of lobbying cannot be funded.[1]
- Applicants receiving funding must not be Wikimedia Foundation staff members or contractors working more than part time (more than 20 hours per week).
How to submit report
- Final learning report
This is a written report to submit within 30 days after the grant end date.
- Go to Wikimedia Foundation Grantee Portal (Fluxx) and log in.
- Find the Reports section on the left sidebar. Select the Upcoming link and you will see all upcoming reports.
- Select the report and click Edit. Answer the questions in the form. You can write it in any preferred language.
- When your report is complete, click Submit to send it for review.
You can prepare the report offline. Make a copy of the report form, answer the questions and copy the text to Fluxx.
- Conversation reports
There are also two conversation reports. You will meet the Program Officer online two times in the middle of the grant implementation and after completing the grant. They will ask questions and complete the forms.
You can review the questions before the online meeting.
FAQ
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- Can a returning organization be invited to apply for Wikimedia Alliances Funds?
- Yes, a returning organization can be invited to apply Wikimedia Alliances Funds.
- Can an organization apply for multiple Wikimedia Alliances Funds?
- Organizations who have one open Wikimedia Alliance Fund will not be eligible to apply again.
- How is the Wikimedia Alliances Fund different from the Knowledge Equity Fund?
- The Wikimedia Alliances Fund hopes to build capacities across the larger free knowledge movement, which would have a positive effect on the development of the Wikimedia projects and communities as well. Programs from mission-aligned organizations and groups can focus on supporting contributors, editors, content, awareness, skill-building initiatives, advocacy efforts, while developing stable partnerships with local Wikimedia communities and Wikimedia projects.
- The Knowledge Equity Fund provides grants to external organizations that support knowledge equity by addressing the racial inequities preventing access and participation in free knowledge. As the scope of the work of the five major themes is broad, there is no expectation or requirement for them to work directly on wiki projects or with the community.
- How can an organization appeal against Regional Committees', or Program Officer's decision?
- At this time we do not foresee an appeals process for Wikimedia Alliances Fund.
- Who will make the final decision on the funding requests?
- The Regional Funds Committee of the region where the project will be implemented will make the final decision on the funding request.
- Can a Wikimedia Affiliate or group be invited to apply for the Wikimedia Alliances?
- We hope that a Wikimedia affiliate or group will partner with Aligned organizations in the proposal, however the Fund recipient would be the partner organization. Wikimedians should apply for funding through the Community Fund.
- What languages can the application be submitted in?
- Applications can be submitted in any language
- Can for-profit organizations be invited for funding?
- No, we are focused on working with non-profit organizations.
Notes
The Community Resources team at Wikimedia Foundation supports the Wikimedia Foundation Funds. We offer funding opportunities, guidance, and other resources to the Wikimedia Movement.