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Wikipedia’s Funding: How Donors Power the Free Knowledge Revolution

Source: How is Wikipedia funded? (2025-11-27)

Wikipedia, the world’s largest free online encyclopedia, has become an indispensable resource for billions of people worldwide. As of November 2025, it boasts over 65 million articles across more than 300 languages, maintained by nearly 250,000 dedicated volunteers. Unlike many online platforms, Wikipedia operates entirely on donations, with the Wikimedia Foundation serving as its non-profit backbone. This funding model ensures that Wikipedia remains free, ad-free, and accessible to all, emphasizing the importance of community-driven knowledge sharing. Recent developments highlight that the Wikimedia Foundation has increased transparency in its financial operations, with detailed annual and financial reports published publicly. In 2024, the Foundation raised over $150 million, primarily through individual donations, with a growing number of recurring monthly donors contributing to its stability. The organization also received grants from philanthropic foundations focused on open access and digital literacy, including a $10 million grant from the Gates Foundation aimed at expanding multilingual content. Furthermore, the Foundation invests heavily in technology infrastructure, ensuring Wikipedia’s resilience against cyber threats and maintaining its rapid, reliable access worldwide. Volunteer contributions continue to grow, with new initiatives encouraging diverse participation, including programs targeting underrepresented communities to foster inclusivity. The Foundation’s commitment to transparency and community engagement has earned it high trust ratings among non-profit organizations. As Wikipedia evolves, it remains a testament to the power of collective effort and philanthropy in democratizing knowledge, with recent innovations like AI-assisted editing tools and enhanced fact-checking systems further strengthening its reliability. Looking ahead, the Wikimedia Foundation plans to expand its educational outreach, partner with global institutions to improve digital literacy, and develop sustainable funding models that reduce reliance on individual donations, ensuring Wikipedia’s mission endures for generations to come.

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