2011-12 Fundraising and Funds Dissemination process/Wikimedia NL informal statement

Future of fundraising discussions - Index edit
Guiding Principles discussion Introduction Fundraising principles Funds distribution principles Fundraising models/future discussion Introduction, timeline & faq Goals Zack's observations on online fundraising How long will the Fundraiser keep growing? Wikimedia Foundation staff memo and analysis Recommendations Final recommendations from Sue Editable recommendations based on Sue's final recommendations Draft Recommendations from Sue Draft Recommendations discussion Draft Recommendations Q&A Brainstorming about Recommendation 4 Pros and cons Questions flowchart Fundraising options Alternative recommendations and philosophies Alternative recommendations (Open to all contributions) Recommendations by Tango Wikimedia Foundation resolutions Resolution: Wikimedia fundraising principles (10-9-2010) WMF Board of Trustees letter regarding fundraising accountability (8-5-2011) Resolution: Developing Scenarios for future of fundraising (1-18-2012) Draft Board resolution (2-9-12) Final Board resolutions (3-30-12) FAQ Discussion Wikimedia chapter statements Wikimedia’s culture of sharing (Wikimedia DE) Resolution on principles (Wikimedia UK) The importance of being a Wikimedia chapter (Wikimedia IT) Iberocoop joint statement Opinion French chapter Questions for the German chapter Wikimedia UK response to Sue Wikimedia CH response to Sue Wikimedia NL informal statement Overview of relevant data Sign up to participate Initial Thoughts Draft grantmaking survey Funds Dissemination Criteria мой Resource list (for survey preparation) Where the money comes from today Outcomes Final Board resolutions Creation of the Funds Dissemination Committee (FDC)

The statement below is based on an analysis made by the WMNL treasurer, which was presented and discussed with association members in our annual general meeting on March 24, and on later discussion among board members. We believe this is a fair representation of what was discussed at the annual general meeting.

This statement was also sent to the Board of Trustees. Please feel free to email the Wikimedia Nederland board with any additional questions you might have (see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Nederland for contact details), or use the talk page.

Paul B (talk) 19:03, 27 March 2012 (UTC)

Wikimedia Nederland informal statement on donation processing

The letter of the Board of Trustees of February 8, 2012 makes it clear that processing donations through Wikimedia project websites does not imply any entitlement to retention of, or control over, funds that are received in this way. It thus leaves little room for the notion that such donation processing is a path towards self-sustainability and growth of chapters. Nevertheless, we are convinced that processing donations in the Dutch geography still offers significant advantages to Wikimedia Nederland and to the movement as a whole.

These advantages are to be found mainly in the area of connecting with (potential) donors. A shared language and culture makes communication more effective, also for resolving practical issues; having a single entity that receives donations, lowers the barrier for one-time donors to become recurrent donors, or to make better use of tax facilities; direct communication with donors will offer more opportunities to 'activate' donors as active content contributors, volunteers, or members. This benefits the chapter and, most importantly, the movement.

To realize this potential through local donation processing requires investments in terms of both money and human resources, to be able to meet the demands that the Wikimedia Foundation will place on chapters that process donations. These demands are not fully clear yet, but will most surely include a proven high level of transparency, accountability and security. It is therefore not a given that Wikimedia Nederland aspires to do local donation processing, or do that already during the 2012/2013 season: this will depend on the balance between benefits and costs, and thus on further developments. Nevertheless, we strongly feel that this option should at least be kept open in the future.

In light of these considerations, we urge the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation to consider

• to not put in place a 'moratorium' on new donation-processing chapters until 2015, but to ensure that any well-argumented proposal from an established chapter to start, or resume, local donation processing, can be judged on its own merits;
• to offer the possibility for chapters that do not process donations to at least reach out to donors directly, for example by sending a (limited) number of emails to them through the WMF (who cannot share donors' personal data with chapters).