Most of you would recall the calls for donations plastered on top of the Wikipedia pages intermittently around the year. In a way, we should be thankful that its this, rather than distasteful ads, which helps sustain Wikipedia. The fundraising has brought in a whopping $25 million for Wikimedia this year.
Wikipedia is indeed one of the most visited websites on the web. Doubtless, if the website chose to display ads alongside its content, it would be making millions each month. But the fact that it doesn’t, speaks volumes about the nature and intent of the website and the organization behind it.
Wikipedia is handled by Wikimedia which is involved in a number of other, similar open-source knowledge projects. Since the organization does not indulge in profit-making endeavors, it has to rely on donations provided by people and organizations around the world, to continue funding its many different projects.
Apparently, the annual fundraising that Wikimedia launches through Wikipedia certainly has its effect. The organization has now announced that the annual Wikipedia fundraiser has brought in $25 million in ‘record time’ this year. The money will be used to ‘maintain server infrastructure, support global projects to increase the number of editors, improve and simplify the software that supports our projects, and make Wikipedia accessible globally to billions of people who are just beginning to access the Internet.’
Courtesy: All Things D
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