Grants talk:Simple/Applications/Wikimedia New York City/2020-2021

Questions from WMF

We are excited to consider your application to the Simple Annual Plan Grant program. As part of our review we have a few questions for you:

• Would it be possible to have a couple of bullet points for each of your programs that show the metrics you will be targeting for that program? Such as number of people attending your workshops as well as number of events you hope to organize?
• It is great to see that you’re doing new creative programming for the NYC community during these unprecedented times such as the Wikipedia and COVID - 19 symposium. Have you considered partnering with other wikimedia entities such as Wiki Project Med for similar events if you haven't done it already?
• In regards to BoroBots, can you let us know the timeframe for the project and how many hours of work it will take to develop the tools you've indicated?
• You have a significant amount budgeted for accounting services. Can you tell us why it’s a significant portion of your budget?

Please let us know your responses to these questions as we continue to review your grant application. Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 06:37, 14 May 2020 (UTC)

Thank you for your questions! I'll do my best to respond below. Please let me know if you require additional clarification on any of these points. Megs (talk) 12:59, 15 May 2020 (UTC)

• The programs section has been updated to include more detailed metrics. Online programming is a new area for Wikimedia NYC and we look forward to developing new strategies and generate more informed goals for attendance in the future. Based on the few events we've held during the current fiscal year, we've had approximately the same number of people (but from a different audience) attend our monthly WikiWednesday Salon. The Symposium on Wikipedia and COVID-19, however, livestreamed to 300 people and has since received over 1,000 views. The chosen metrics attempt to capture both the process (number of events) and the product (engagement) as we move into this new area.
• Wikimedia NYC has a long history of partnering with Wikimedia affiliates (i.e. Wiki Project Med, Wikimedia LGBT+) and served as an early incubator for AfroCROWD and Art + Feminism. While we kept the organizing team for the recent symposium small in order to accommodate our organizers' reduced capacity, we look forward to partnering with affiliates on future events as appropriate.
• BoroBots will be completed during the grant period, starting the work as soon as funds are released. We anticipate that the person in this role will work 140 hours, with regular check-ins with the Wikimedia NYC leadership. This information has been added to the application.
• Wikimedia NYC contracted with an external accounting agency, Jitasa, following a fiscal and governance review by WMF in June 2018. These services include monthly accounting of expenditures, tax preparation, and guidance on issues related to fiscal issues. A portion of these funds were previously covered by AfroCROWD. However, Wikimedia NYC's fiscal sponsorship of AfroCROWD ends June 30, 2020, at which time it will be required to cover all accounting expenses.

Simple APG Committee recommendation

We recommend that Wikimedia New York City receive a grant in the amount of $52,210 USD for one year. We understand Wikimedia New York City has had some leadership changes in the past year in addition to being located in the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given these internal and external factors we understand that the group wants to focus more on rebuilding the capacity at this point in time.

While we agree on the move to focus on building capacity in this present annual plan we encourage the group to think about this year being a real springboard for establishing new programming that will lean on WM NYC’s strength of identifying and establishing great partnerships. We are seeing this step back from programming as an opportunity to do more in future annual plans. We look forward to seeing the fruit of this robust planning period.

Lastly, we recommend removing the request for BoroBot consultant from the budget as we see this as being something that can be developed with the annual Community Wishlist.

Thank you for continuing to participate and contribute to our movement while being in the most COVID-19 impacted region.

For the committee, Liang (talk) 15:52, 26 May 2020 (UTC)

Wikimedia New York City grant is approved in the amount of $52,210 for 12 months

Congratulations! This grant is approved in the amount of $52,210, with the grant term starting on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2021. This is a slightly decreased budget than what you requested. We’re taking the committee’s recommendation to remove a budget line item for the web consultant as mentioned above.

We are sensitive to the fact that New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic and understand that this affects both WM NYC organizers and volunteers and appreciate that you are thinking thoughtfully about how to move work forward during this time.

Your budget has a heavy focus on operations and building capacity and that makes sense to us since it’s unclear when face to face programming will be able to begin especially in a place that is really hard hit by COVID-19. We’re excited by the creative ways you’re starting to engage New York City's community whether that’s through online symposiums on Wikipedia and COVID - 19 or facilitating conversations for designated domain areas such as libraries.

We look forward to seeing how Wikimedia NYC will evolve during this time of innovation and capacity building and position itself to bring in even more New Yorkers into the Wikimedia movement.

On March 12, 2020, the grants team shared a message from Katherine Maher, our Executive Director, regarding grant-funded programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know we’ve asked all grantees to cancel or postpone all offline (in-person) public events funded by WMF. We will continue to monitor this situation and connect with you over the course of your grant to work on any adjustments you might need to make. We appreciate your hard work during this time especially and look forward to tackling this challenge together.

Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 18:05, 3 June 2020 (UTC)

Reallocation request

Dear @VThamaini (WMF): and Grants Team,

Wikimedia NYC would like to request the following reallocations:

Item: digital camera, tripod, bag, 5 year drop + spills protection

Purpose: The camera will be used to take higher quality pictures at WMNYC events and record interviews using the video feature. The camera may also be loaned to members as part of our support for Wikimedia Commons and in accordance with the Chapter's equipment policy. The Chapter facilitates photo drives each year, and a number of our members contribute hundreds of photos of New York to Wikimedia Commons, but are using their cell phone to do so.

Projected cost: $1,096.11 (includes taxes and shipping)

Reallocation request: $496.11 from 1.1.3 Wikipedia Day to 2.3.4 Equipment

Item: annual fees to coworking and office space at Brooklyn Creative League

Purpose: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared the state of emergency over and reopened the state of New York. While Wikimedia NYC will be careful and selective in resuming in-person editing events due to their close, high-touch nature, the in person activities of the Board may safely resume.

Wikimedia NYC has struggled with a lack of consistent meeting space and shared storage for official papers and equipment. Moreover, contingent upon the successful reinstatement of its non-profit status, Wikimedia NYC intends to hire an Executive Director, who will require a space to work and meet with members and partners. Brooklyn Creative League offers a designated desk/working space, conference rooms for meetings, and safe storage at a low monthly fee.

Project cost: $7,200.00 + $550 deposit

Reallocation request: $5,000 from 1.3.1 Travel and $2,750 from 1.1.3 Wikipedia Day to 2.3.2 Contingency (we do not have a designate line for space)

Thank you in advance for considering this request!

Megs (talk) 18:24, 28 June 2021 (UTC), on behalf of the Wikimedia NYC Board of Directors

Dear Megs,

Thank you for your request for reallocation. The request made clearly demonstrates the need and how it will support you in strengthening your activities and community together with WM NYC's operational capacity. The request is approved. We wish you the very best and especially with the prospect of in-person events gradually resuming. --VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 14:25, 29 June 2021 (UTC)

@VThamaini (WMF): Many thanks to you and your team for approving this request! We look forward to growth in the year ahead. Megs (talk) 21:19, 29 June 2021 (UTC)

Request for grant extension

Dear @VThamaini (WMF): and sAPG Team,

Wikimedia NYC requests a three month grant extension to September 30, 2021. We are requesting this extension in order to support core operations of the Chapter while it awaits the reinstatement of its status. Specifically, we want to use our current underspend to continue programmatic operations and address organizational costs such as working with an accountant.

Thank you for considering this request!

Best, Megs (talk) 21:26, 29 June 2021 (UTC), on behalf of the Wikimedia NYC Board of Directors

Thank you Megs for your request. The request for extension is granted. We continue to wish you well with your continued programming and with the reinstatement process. Kindly note that the new end date for the grant is 31 October giving room for any delays with the reinstatement process as well. Thank you. --VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 13:44, 30 June 2021 (UTC)

Many thanks to you and your team, VThamaini (WMF)! We are grateful for your continued support. Megs (talk) 12:41, 1 July 2021 (UTC)