Transparency is a core principle of the Wikimedia Foundation and we are proud to be recognized as one of the most transparent non-profit organizations in the world. Our annual plan and operating budget are developed through open processes, subject to community feedback and Board approval, and always available to the public for full review.
We have broken down our efforts into three key areas: how donor contributions support the Wikimedia websites, the Wikimedia community, and the free knowledge ecosystem. These are supported by our administrative, governance, and fundraising efforts.
Direct Support to Websites
Keeping the Wikimedia websites online is about more than just servers and electricity. It also includes ongoing engineering improvements, product development, design and research, and legal support.
Direct support to Communities
The Wikimedia projects exist thanks to the communities that create and maintain them. We strengthen these communities through grants, projects, and tools to build capacity of contributors and support the legal defense of editors.
Support of Free Knowledge
Wikimedia is a part of a larger free knowledge movement. An estimated 4% of our operating expenditure supports policy, advocacy, education, and partnerships to strengthen and share our mission.
Fundraising
Donors support the Wikimedia mission. The fundraising team engages these remarkable individuals to ensure the Wikimedia Foundation and communities have the resources they need.
Admin & Governance
Our core values include transparency and accountability. We manage funds and resources responsibly and recruit and support skilled, passionate people to advance our mission.
Balance Sheet
From July 1st, 2015 – June 30th, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents | 46,735,297 |
Current-portion of contributions receivable | 500,000 |
Short-term investments | 31,851,807 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,982,960 |
Total current assets | 81,070,064 | Property, plant, and equipment, net | 5,012,496 |
Long-term investments | 11,066,552 |
Noncurrent portion of contributions receivable | 493,623 |
Total Assets | $97,642,735 |
Accounts payable | 1,246,302 |
Accrued expenses | 4,024,542 |
Other liabilities | 589,096 |
Total current liabilities | 5,859,940 |
Total liabilities | $5,859,940 |
Unrestricted | 87,680,104 |
Temporarily Restricted | 4,102,691 |
Total net assets | 91,782,795 |
Total liabilities and net assets | $97,642,735 |
Statement of Activities
From July 1st, 2015 – June 30th, 2016
Donations and contributions | 77,748,287 |
In-kind service revenue | 1,065,523 |
Foreign currency losses | (110,751) |
Other income, net | 70,356 |
Investment income, net | 813,377 |
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted assets | 2,275,932 |
Total support and revenue | $81,862,724 |
Salaries and wages | 31,713,961 |
Awards and grants | 11,354,612 |
Internet hosting | 2,069,572 |
In-kind service expenses | 1,065,523 |
Donations processing expenses | 3,604,682 |
Professional service expenses | 6,033,172 |
Other operating expenses | 4,777,203 |
Travel and conferences | 2,296,592 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,720,835 |
Special event expense, net | 311,313 |
Total Expenses | 65,947,465 |
Increase in unrestricted net assets | $15,915,259 |
Contributions | 323,170 |
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted net assets | (2,275,932) |
Increase in temporarily restricted net assets | (1,952,762) |
Increase in net assets | 13,962,497 |
Net assets at beginning of year | 77,820,298 |
Net assets at end of year | $91,782,795 |
For more information, please see the Fundraising Report →