Grants talk:TPS/Sky Harbor/OpenSourceBridge13

Statements of Support

• I express my support to Josh's application as it will bring benefit to the projects of Wikimedia Philippines --Exec8 (talk) 00:43, 29 April 2013 (UTC)
• I am supporting Josh's application as it will also raise awareness of Wikimedia Philippines' work here in our country. The proposed visit to the WMF offices would also be a nice touch to the planned visit.--- Titopao (talk) 04:23, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Request approved up to US$1950

Hello, Josh:

Thank you for your request. Your request is approved for up to the cost of one round trip plane ticket from the Philippines to Portland and for up to 5 nights accommodation at US$70.00 per night. The Participation Support Program does not provide buffers and we are not able to provide any funding for your travel to San Francisco; since the conference is only four days (18 June - 21 June), we can reimburse you for accommodation for up to five nights.

Therefore, we will support your request in the amount of up to US$1600 for air travel and up to US$350 for 5 nights hotel, or a total of up to US$1950.

We will contact you shortly to arrange the details, and look forward to your successful participation.

Best, Winifred Olliff (Grants Administrator) talk 23:39, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

Hi, Winifred. Thanks for informing me that my request was approved.

Please allow me to clarify the terms on which I intended to visit San Francisco as part of this request. As I noted in the request, my request to visit the Foundation's office is contingent on me finding a ticket which is either comparable to the price of a ticket from Manila to Portland and back, or is cheaper. Now as of my most recent search, while the cheapest ticket from Manila to Portland and back is $1540, including a stop in San Francisco actually reduces the price of the ticket to $1500. In fact, there will be no additional outlay on the part of the Participation Grants program from my visit there, and in fact I even get to save some additional money, even if the savings generated is only $40. (This is presuming I leave Manila on Sunday, June 16, and return from the U.S. on Wednesday, June 26.)

I also noted in the request that I will be shouldering all other expenses should I be permitted to visit there, including accommodation, so I believe permitting a visit is, financially, risk-free on the part of the Participation Grants program so long as I get to book my ticket in advance. I still hope I can get permission to visit in light of this information. :) (In the event that I am no longer able to find tickets below $1600 which include a stop there, I will not pursue that option any further.) --Sky Harbor ^(talk) 14:00, 9 May 2013 (UTC)

Hi, Josh!

Yes, if the cost of the ticket is equivalent to or less expensive than the least expensive option to and from Portland, then you are welcome to book the stop in SF on the same ticket. Also, if you find the stop in SF actually does make the ticket more expensive, you have the option to apply for reimbursement up to the equivalent amount for the ticket to Portland and supplement the additional cost at your own expense. Either option is acceptable to the PSP.

You should of course also contact somebody at WMF if you haven't already to make sure they're expecting your visit on those days and are available to meet with you :)

Cheers, Winifred Olliff (Grants Administrator) talk 17:35, 9 May 2013 (UTC)