WIFO | APPEALING | Contributions to defend Wikipedia's independence | Thursday 10 December 2020

[Edited extract from public address]

Wikipedia asks you to defend Wikipedia's independence.

We're a non-profit that depends on donations to stay online and thriving, but 98% of our readers don't give; they simply look the other way. If everyone who reads Wikipedia gave just a little, we could keep Wikipedia thriving for years to come. The price of a cup of coffee is all we ask.

When we made Wikipedia a non-profit, people told us we’d regret it. But if Wikipedia were to become commercial, it would be a great loss to the world.

Wikipedia is a place to learn, not a place for advertising. The heart and soul of Wikipedia is a community of people working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information.

Slowly and steadily, we’re building knowledge for the world, whatever that world looks like. We’re here every day, as a resource for whatever questions you might have. We’re here so you can keep exploring, even if your exploring these days happens mostly from home.

We know that most people will ignore this message. But if Wikipedia is useful to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $20, $50 or whatever you can to protect and sustain Wikipedia.

Thank you for helping Wikipedia continue to grow and be here for the world.

Thanks,
Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia Founder

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Wikimedia Foundation (WIFO)

Address: P.O. Box 98204, Washington, DC 20090-8204, USA

Email: donate@wikimedia.org

Website: https://www.wikimedia.org