Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund
Who we fundEdit
The Wikimedia Foundation provides support to individuals, groups, organizations and affiliates around the world that are actively working on promoting knowledge equity aligned with the strategic direction of the Wikimedia movement.
We will increase investment of resources in underrepresented Wikimedia communities around the world.
Questions? Please contact us.
What we fund and funding programsEdit
The Wikimedia Community Fund broadly supports volunteer efforts in the 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.
The Wikimedia Community Fund has three general areas of support:
45 days processing time; average funding amount: 500 - 5,000 USD
Please note, you can also request swag from Wikipedia Store. Please review the Requesting swag page for more details.2 months processing time; average funding amount: 10,000 - 90,000 USD

2 months processing time; average funding amount: 10,000 - 300,000 USD
Forms and ResourcesEdit
- Review Application and Reporting Forms and Guides before applying.
- Recommendations for developing fund proposals
Eligibility criteriaEdit
The following are basic criteria that must be met by all Wikimedia Community Fund applicants in order for a proposal to be reviewed:
- 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 all requirements and in good standing for any current activities 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
- All applications must be compliant with the COVID-19 policy and risk matrix
- 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).
Youth SafetyEdit
- If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, it also outlines compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provides documentation of the local laws in the annex.
- The proposal demonstrates how they will ensure the safe engagement of young people in all of the project’s activities.
- The proposal demonstrates that any adults who will be working in close contact with young people have been properly vetted and trained.
- The proposal outlines an action protocol in the case that incidents occur relating to the physical and psychological safety of young people.
Some examples of what we fundEdit
- Individuals coordinating local events related to a global campaign in their community.
- Cultural and heritage projects that support contribution of content, curation of the content and promote accessibility of that content.
- Strategic and annual plans from Wikimedia Movement Affiliates
- Local, regional, and thematic conferences that bring together Wikimedians
- Common expenses supported through previous grant programs such as (but not limited to):
- Working space, services, prizes, outreach, and other common costs needed to support edit-a-thons, contests, photowalks, and promotional campaigns.
- Data costs to support access to online events
- Travel for organizers and participation
- Compensation for well-defined roles that do not replace volunteer activities, including (but not limited to) graphic design, training, childcare services, translation, project management, and Wikimedian-in-Residence roles.
Regional Committees will have flexibility to fund projects and expenses that applicants identify based on their specific context and situational needs, and may support additional requests not described here.
How we fundEdit
The Foundation Program Officers and the participatory committees work together to be strategic thought partners with applicants. The funding decisions are based on eligibility and committee deliberation.
The principles that are foundational and underline the grants strategy are based directly on the Movement Strategy Principles:
- Subsidiarity & Self Management
- Equity & Empowerment
- Collaboration & Cooperation
- People Centeredness - listening and reflection
- Efficient Data & Iterative Practices - promoting innovation and learning
See also: How are General Support Fund proposals reviewed for Wikimedia Community Fund?
Application processEdit
We encourage all applicants to reach out to their Regional Program Officer as they are developing their proposal and before submitting a final application. This is especially recommended for first time applicants. We want to ensure everyone understands and is supported throughout the process.
- Preparation by Regional Program Officer, including proactive communication and outreach about Funding Programs
- Open Call for Funds, including office hours and program officer support for proposal development
- Review of proposals, including eligibility check, due diligence, community review, committee review and deliberation
- Decision
Timeline and award amountsEdit
Rapid FundEdit
- 45 days processing time from application to decision
- Average grant size 500-5,000 USD
- If your grant proposal falls below or exceeds please contact us for support.
Conference & Event FundEdit
- 2 month processing time from application to decision
- A Conference Grant amount can range between 10,000 - 90,000 USD, average grant size
Region | Round 1 | Round 2 |
---|---|---|
All regions | September - November | February - March |
General Support FundEdit
- 2 month processing time from application to decision
- Average annual grant size varies on application proposal 10,000 - 300,000 USD
- Multiyear funding optionally available for 2- to 3-year grant period. A multiyear strategic plan is required for multiyear funding requests.
2022-23 Fiscal Year timelineEdit
Region | Round | Application Due | Announcement |
---|---|---|---|
Middle East and Africa | 1 | Friday September 9, 2022 | Thursday November 10, 2022 |
2 | Friday March 10, 2023 | Thursday May 11, 2023 | |
CEE and Central Asia Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Friday September 9, 2022 | Thursday November 10, 2022 |
2 | Friday March 10, 2023 | Thursday May 11, 2023 | |
United States and Canada Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Thursday September 8, 2022 | Thursday November 10, 2022 |
2 | Friday March 10, 2023 | Thursday May 11, 2023 | |
Latin America and The Caribbean Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Thursday September 29, 2022 | Thursday December 8, 2022 |
2 | Thursday March 2, 2023 | Thursday May 18, 2023 | |
Northern and Western Europe Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Thursday September 29, 2022 | Thursday December 8, 2022 |
2 | Thursday March 2, 2023 | Thursday May 4, 2023 | |
ESEAP (East Asia & Pacific) Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Thursday September 29, 2022 | Thursday December 8, 2022 |
2 | Thursday March 16, 2023 | Thursday May 18, 2023 | |
South Asia Community + Alliances Fund | 1 | Thursday September 29, 2022 | Thursday December 8, 2022 |
2 | Thursday March 16, 2023 | Thursday May 18, 2023 |
2021-22 Fiscal Year timeline (Round 2)Edit
- 2021-22 - Group A (Round 2)
Applicants from the following funding regions: CEE and Central Asia, USA and Canada, Middle East and Africa. (Wikimedia Community Fund and Alliances Fund)
Activity | Dates for group A, round 2 | Estimated time |
---|---|---|
Program Officer working with grantees to prepare their application | February 1 - March 4, 2022 | One month |
Applicants working on final submission of application | March 4 - 17, 2022 | Two weeks |
Final Submission Deadline | March 18, 2022 | |
Committee Review, Staff Review, Community Review | March 21 - April 11, 2022 | Two weeks |
Applicants Engaging with Committee Feedback | April 11 - 28, 2022 | Three weeks (accounting for holiday) |
Proposal adjustment if needed | April 11 - 28, 2022 | Three weeks (accounting for holiday) |
Final review and decision | May 18, 2022 | |
Appeal process if needed | (TBD) |
- 2021-22 - Group B (Round 2)
Applicants from the following funding regions: Northern & Western Europe, Latin America and The Caribbean, South Asia and ESEAP. (Wikimedia Community Fund and Alliances Fund)
Activity | Dates for group B, round 2 | Estimated time |
---|---|---|
Program Officer working with grantees to prepare their application | February 28 - March 31, 2022 | One month |
Applicants working on final submission of application | April 1-14, 2022 | Two weeks |
Final Submission Deadline | April 14, 2022 | |
Committee Review, Staff Review, Community Review | April 16 - May 1, 2022 | Two weeks |
Applicants Engaging with Committee feedback | May 2-13, 2022 | Two weeks |
Proposal adjustment if needed | May 2-13, 2022 | Two weeks |
Final decision | May 29, 2022 | |
Appeal process if needed | (TBD) |
Applicants should email your Regional Program Officer if the schedule conflicts with your own timeline for proposal development and submission, and we will work with you individually to accommodate your needs.
Contact usEdit
Rapid FundEdit
If you have any questions about the Rapid Fund, please reach out to your Regional Program Officer via email:
Region | Email address |
---|---|
Middle East and Africa | mea_rapid![]() |
South Asia | sa_rapid![]() |
East, Southeast Asia, and Pacific (ESEAP) | eseap_rapid![]() |
Latin America (LATAM) and The Caribbean | lac_rapid![]() |
United States and Canada | usca_rapid![]() |
Northern and Western Europe | nwe_rapid![]() |
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Central Asia | ceeca_rapid![]() |
Please note, you can also request swag from Wikipedia Store. Please review the Requesting swag page for more details.
General Support FundEdit
If you have any questions about the General Support Fund, please reach out to your Regional Program Officer via email:
Region | Email address |
---|---|
Middle East and Africa | mea_fund![]() |
South Asia | sa_fund![]() |
East, Southeast Asia, and Pacific (ESEAP) | eseap_fund![]() |
Latin America (LATAM) and The Caribbean | lac_fund![]() |
United States and Canada | usca_fund![]() |
Northern and Western Europe | nwe_fund![]() |
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Central Asia | ceeca_fund![]() |
Conference FundEdit
If you have any questions about the Conference Fund for all funding regions, please reach out to the Program Officer via email: conferencegrantswikimedia.org