Financials

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 show our financial activity in three key areas of effort: how donor contributions support the Wikimedia websites, the Wikimedia community, and the free knowledge ecosystem.

These efforts are supported by our organization’s administrative and fundraising activities.

D i r e ct s upp o rt t o co m m u ni t i e s S upp ort o f f r ee kn o w l e d g e F u nd r a i s in g D i r e ct s upp o rt t o w e b s i t e s A d m ini s t ra t i o n a nd g o v e r n a n c e
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43%

Direct support to websites

Keeping the Wikimedia websites online is about more than just servers. It also includes ongoing engineering improvements, product development, design and research, and legal support.

28%

Direct support to communities

The Wikimedia projects exist thanks to the communities that create and maintain them. We strengthen these communities through grants, projects, trainings, tools to augment contributor capacity, and support for the legal defense of editors.

14%

Administration and governance

We manage funds and resources responsibly to recruit and support skilled, passionate staff who advance our communities and values.

3%

Support of free knowledge

Wikimedia is part of a larger free knowledge movement. Part of our operating expenditure supports policy, advocacy, education, and partnerships to strengthen and further access to open knowledge.

12%

Fundraising

Wikimedia is supported entirely by donations. The fundraising team engages with millions of remarkable individuals and institutions to ensure that we have the necessary resources to continue our global mission.

Balance Sheet

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents49,572,722
Restricted cash839,581
Current portion of contributions receivable250,000
Short-term investments55,882,312
Prepaid expenses and other current assets3,217,386
Total current assets109,762,001
Property, plant, and equipment, net4,619,727
Long-term investments5,896,639
Noncurrent portion of contributions receivable246,330
Total assets120,524,697

Liabilities and net assets

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable2,698,978
Accrued expenses3,568,107
Other liabilities927,415
Total current liabilities7,194,500
Total liabilities7,194,500

Net assets:

Unrestricted109,785,764
Temporarily restricted3,544,433
Total net assets113,330,197
Total liabilities and net assets120,524,697

Statement of activities

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

Unrestricted net assets

Support and revenue:

Donations and contributions87,473,947
In-kind service revenue214,581
Foreign currency gains (losses)339,950
Other income, net170,687
Investment income, net1,157,288
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted net assets1,885,965
Total support and revenue91,242,418

Expenses:

Salaries and wages33,731,089
Awards and grants11,214,959
Internet hosting2,169,861
In-kind service expenses214,581
Donation processing expenses3,809,286
Professional service expenses6,972,048
Other operating expenses6,307,987
Travel and conferences1,954,772
Depreciation and amortization2,762,175
Special event expense, net—
Total expenses69,136,758
Increase in unrestricted net assets22,105,660

Temporarily restricted net assets:

Contributions:

1,327,707
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted net assets(1,885,965)
Decrease in temporarily restricted net assets(558,258)
Increase in net assets21,547,402
Net assets at beginning of year91,782,795
Net assets at end of year113,330,197

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