This page is a translated version of the page Grants:Project/Rapid and the translation is 0% complete.
Rapid Funds

Who?

Individuals, groups, Wikimedia affiliates or organisations from Wikimedia movement

What?

For short-term, low-cost projects with Wikimedia focus (1-12 months)

When?

2 months processing time, 1 round in every two months

How much?

500 - 5,000 USD

  1. Read about what we fund and who can apply below.
  2. Go to Wikimedia Foundation Grantee Portal (Fluxx) and log in.
    • If you do not have an account, click Register Now and provide the requested information. You will receive confirmation of your registration within two working day.
  3. Select the Apply for Rapid Fund button on the main page. Click Save and Continue or Save and Close to save the application.
  4. Follow the instructions on the application form. You will need to give information about your project and upload several documents.
  5. Click Submit to submit the application for review.

  • We accept applications in any language. We will support translation for applications and discussions as needed.
  • Applications will be published to Meta-Wiki automatically within two days. This is done for community review and feedback.
  • You can prepare the application offline. Make a copy of the application form, answer the questions and copy the text to Fluxx.
Rapid Fund Application Form (Google Docs)
Rapid Fund Budget Template (Google Sheets)

What we fund

Your project should support the achievement of Wikimedia's mission and strategic direction. And it should aim at improving one or more of Wikimedia projects.

Examples of projects we fund
  • Individuals coordinating local events related to a global campaign in their community.
  • Informal and formal community meetup
  • Wikimedia editathons and workshops
  • Strategic and annual plans from Wikimedia affiliates
  • Education projects, for example, reading or editing training on Wikipedia, Wikidata or other Wikimedia projects
  • Cultural and heritage projects that support contribution of content, curation of the content and promote accessibility of that content.
  • Gender and diversity projects, for example, bringing in and training women and gender diverse participants and editors. Also, creating content about women, gender diverse groups, underrepresented communities and their knowledge.
  • Small-scale software development projects
Examples of expenses we support
  • Working space, services, prizes, outreach, and other common costs needed to support edit-a-thons, contests, photowalks, and promotional campaigns.
  • Data costs to support access to online events
  • Project-related travel for organizers
  • Compensation for well-defined roles that do not replace volunteer activities, including (but not limited to) graphic design, training, childcare services, translation, project management, and Wikimedian-in-Residence roles.
Funding travel and equipment
  • No funding for travel scholarships or conference participation. Rapid Funds are project-based resources and only fund travel related to the direct implementation of the project.
  • Equipment purchase is allowed for groups, organizations and affiliates. Equipment-based grants need to clearly demonstrate how the equipment will be shared with other community members. An equipment log or list must be publicly available for community members and included in the application. Examples of equipment funded with Rapid Funds are: laptops, cameras and projector, routers, external drives.
Funding software development
  • Smaller-scale software development projects may be eligible for funding pending review from Community Resources and Technology department staff.
  • Project code must be publicly available and published under a free software license compatible with relevant Wikimedia projects.
  • A documentation plan should be incorporated as a part of the proposed activities.
  • Proposals that depend on multiple or continuous Rapid Funds for long-term maintenance or development goals are generally ineligible.
Funding research
Examples of funded applications

Eligibility requirements

This fund is for you if you:

  • Are applying for funds between 500 - 5000 USD or its equivalent in another currency at the time of the application. Funds are distributed in your local currency.
  • Are a Wikimedia community member, or part of a group or organisation from the Wikimedia movement.
  • Have a 1-12 months long project in mind. Projects must be for future, planned work.
  • Are an individual who does not have any other open Rapid Funds. Before applying for a new Rapid Fund you will need to submit the report for the open Rapid Fund. In some cases, the Program Officer may request to review the report before applicant is able to submit a new grant request.
    • The total fund amount an individual can access per fiscal year (e.g. July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) is up to USD 10,000.
  • Are an organisation or group with less than 2 open grants at any given time.
    • The total fund amount an organisation or group can access per fiscal year (e.g. July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) is up to USD 10,000. You are encouraged to have access to a joint bank account.
  • Have current contribution history and experience on the target Wikimedia project(s) mentioned in your grant application. You also need to have organizing experience or training experience. For example, if you are planning to train newcomers on Wikidata, you must demonstrate editing and training history on Wikidata.
  • Have informed the team members about your grant and involved the community in discussing the proposal.
You are not eligible for funding if:
  • The project you have in mind aims to improve third-party websites.
  • The project includes lobbying activities, as per United States Internal Revenue Service definitions.[1]
  • Works and contributions are not published under ethical, open access agreements.
  • You are a General Support Fund grantee partner.
  • You are a board member, leader (contacts submitted to AffCom), president, bank account signatory[2], executive director, or other paid staff or contractor of a Wikimedia affiliate/group/organisation with existing Wikimedia Foundation Fund awards (General Support Fund, Rapid Fund, Research Fund, Conference Fund, Movement Strategy Implementation Grants).
    • When there is no significant overlap between the volunteer role (especially board members), group activities, and individual grant, the Program Officer may make exceptions to this criterion.
  • You are an individual applying on behalf of different groups or organisations.
Behavioral and legal requirements

Primary and secondary contacts, agreement signatories, bank account signatories, and any individuals in roles that direct the implementation of grant activities, must:

  • Follow the Universal Code of Conduct and Friendly Space Policies.
  • Comply with all requirements and be in good standing for any current activities funded through the Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Be in good standing in regard to ethical behavior within the community (e.g. social behavior, financial behavior, legal behavior, etc.), as determined through the due diligence process of the grant program.
  • Have no recent or recurring violations:
    • Must not be blocked on any Wikimedia project, even if the proposed work is unrelated to that project.
    • Within the past year, must not have been blocked, banned, or flagged by Wikimedia Foundation staff or affiliates for violations of the Universal Code of Conduct, Friendly Space Policies, or other conduct issues.
    • Must not have been repeatedly blocked or flagged for the same issue on a Wikimedia project.
    • If prior issues or blocks have occurred, must demonstrate learning and understanding in regard to the cause for the issue, such that they are ready to serve as a role model for others as a grantee.
  • Not appear on the United States Department of Treasury Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List (SDN).
  • Be located in a a country that can legally receive funding for the described activities and expenses in accordance with the laws governing the sending and receiving of funds in the United States and their respective country.
  • Not be Wikimedia Foundation staff members or contractors working more than part time (over 20 hours per week).
  • Provide all information and documentation needed to receive the funding from the Wikimedia Foundation.
Youth Safety

Youth Safety Policy must be in place for any activity that involves underage community members.

  • If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, it also outlines compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provides documentation of the local laws in the annex.
  • The proposal demonstrates how they will ensure the safe engagement of young people in all of the project’s activities.
  • The proposal demonstrates that any adults who will be working in close contact with young people have been properly vetted and trained.
  • The proposal outlines an action protocol in the case that incidents occur relating to the physical and psychological safety of young people.

Additional note: We recommend applying for micro-funding programs and other similar opportunities in local communities where they are available, and where you can coordinate and work with other groups in your geography.

Application process

After submission, the application will be processed according to the following steps:

Initial review (7 days)

  • Pre-screening eligibility check by Program Officer
  • Outreach to relevant groups and communities for feedback

Review (28 days)

Decisions and agreement (18 days)

  • Decisions are announced by Program Officer
  • Grant agreement is signed between you and the Wikimedia Foundation
  • Grant payment is made

Project starts

  • Project start date should be after all described steps are completed

Reporting (30 days after the project end date)

Timeline

Cycle 4 (Deadline: 15. februára 2025) (2024-2025)

Cycle 4

15. februára 2025

Submission deadline

16. februára – 21. marca

Review

28. marca 2025

Decision announced

28. marca – 11. apríla

Grant processing and payment

11. apríla 2025

Earliest project start date

Key campaigns applying in this cycle: Celebrate Women, CEE Spring, Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki for Human Rights, Africa Wiki Challenge, 1Lib1Ref.

Cycle 5 (Deadline: 1. mája 2025) (2024-2025)

Cycle 5

1. mája 2025

Submission deadline

2. mája – 6. júna

Review

13. júna 2025

Decision announced

14. júna – 27. júna

Grant processing and payment

27. júna 2025

Earliest project start date

Key campaigns applying in this cycle: WPWP, Wiki Loves Monuments 2025, WikiVibrance International, and Africa Youth Day.

Cycle 1 (Deadline: 1. júla 2025)

Cycle 1

1. júla 2025

Submission deadline

2. júla 2025 - 29. júla 2025

Review

30. júla 2025 - 12. augusta 2025

Compliance check and decision announced

12. augusta 2025 - 26. augusta 2025

Grant processing and payment

31. augusta 2025

Earliest project start date

Cycle 2 (Deadline: 1. septembra 2025)

Cycle 2

1. septembra 2025

Submission deadline

2. septembra 2025 - 29. septembra 2025

Review

30. septembra 2025 - 13. októbra 2025

Compliance check and decision announced

13. októbra 2025 - 27. októbra 2025

Grant processing and payment

31. októbra 2025

Earliest project start date

Cycle 3 (Deadline: 1. novembra 2025)

Cycle 3

1. novembra 2025

Submission deadline

2. novembra 2025 - 29. novembra 2025

Review

30. novembra 2025 - 13. decembra 2025

Compliance check and decision announced

13. decembra 2025 - 9. januára 2026

Grant processing and payment

16. januára 2026

Earliest project start date

Cycle 4 (Deadline: 1. februára 2026)

Cycle 4

1. februára 2026

Submission deadline

2. februára 2026 - 2. marca 2026

Review

3. marca 2026 - 16. marca 2026

Compliance check and decision announced

16. marca 2026 - 30. marca 2026

Grant processing and payment

3. apríla 2026

Earliest project start date

Cycle 5 (Deadline: 1. apríla 2026)

Cycle 5

1. apríla 2026

Submission deadline

2. apríla 2026 - 29. apríla 2026

Review

30. apríla 2026 - 13. mája 2026

Compliance check and decision announced

13. mája 2026 - 27. mája 2026

Grant processing and payment

1. júna 2026

Earliest project start date

Full timeline for all rounds (2025-2026)

Cycle 1
Due Date Activity Duration
1. júla 2025 Submission deadline of applications in Cycle 1
29. júla 2025
  • Review and feedback of proposals by Program Officer and Regional Funds Committee
  • Reaching out all relevant groups, organizations, communities, and teams
  • Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal, making adjustments
4 weeks
12. augusta 2025
  • Eligibility and compliance check by Grant Administrators
  • Decisions announced
2 weeks
26. augusta 2025
  • Grant processing, signing agreement, and making grant payment by Grant Admins
2 weeks
31. augusta 2025
  • Earliest project start date
1. septembra 2025 Submission deadline for the next cycle
Cycle 2
Due Date Activity Duration
1. septembra 2025 Submission deadline of applications for Cycle 2
29. septembra 2025
  • Review and feedback of proposals by Program Officer and Regional Funds Committee
  • Reaching out all relevant groups, organizations, communities, and teams
  • Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal, making adjustments
4 weeks
13. októbra 2025
  • Eligibility and compliance check by Grant Administrators
  • Decisions announced
2 weeks
27. októbra 2025
  • Grant processing, signing agreement, and making grant payment by Grant Admins
2 weeks
31. októbra 2025
  • Earliest project start date
1. novembra 2025 Submission deadline for the next cycle
Cycle 3
Due Date Activity Duration
1. novembra 2025 Submission deadline of applications for Cycle 3
29. novembra 2025
  • Review and feedback of proposals by Program Officer and Regional Funds Committee
  • Reaching out all relevant groups, organizations, communities, and teams
  • Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal, making adjustments
4 weeks
13. decembra 2025
  • Eligibility and compliance check by Grant Administrators
  • Decisions announced
2 weeks
9. januára 2026
  • Grant processing, signing agreement, and making grant payment by Grant Admins
2 weeks
16. januára 2026
  • Earliest project start date
1. februára 2026 Submission deadline for the next cycle
Cycle 4
Due Date Activity Duration
1. februára 2026 Submission deadline of applications for Cycle 4
2. marca 2026
  • Review and feedback of proposals by Program Officer and Regional Funds Committee
  • Reaching out all relevant groups, organizations, communities, and teams
  • Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal, making adjustments
4 weeks
16. marca 2026
  • Eligibility and compliance check by Grant Administrators
  • Decisions announced
2 weeks
30. marca 2026
  • Grant processing, signing agreement, and making grant payment by Grant Admins
2 weeks
3. apríla 2026
  • Earliest project start date
1. apríla 2026 Submission deadline for the next cycle
Cycle 5
Due Date Activity Duration
1. apríla 2026 Submission deadline of applications for Cycle 5
29. apríla 2026
  • Review and feedback of proposals by Program Officer and Regional Funds Committee
  • Reaching out all relevant groups, organizations, communities, and teams
  • Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal, making adjustments
4 weeks
13. mája 2026
  • Eligibility and compliance check by Grant Administrators
  • Decisions announced
2 weeks
27. mája 2026
  • Grant processing, signing agreement, and making grant payment by Grant Admins
2 weeks
1. júna 2026
  • Earliest project start date

How to submit report

If your Rapid Fund is approved, you will need to send a report. Send the report within 30 days after you complete the project.

  1. Go to Wikimedia Foundation Grantee Portal (Fluxx) and log in.
  2. Find the Reports section on the left sidebar. Select the Upcoming link and you will see all upcoming reports.
  3. Select the Rapid Fund report and click Edit. Answer the questions in the form. You can write it in any preferred language.
  4. When your report is complete, click Submit to send it for review.
  • You can prepare the report offline. Make a copy of the report form, answer the questions and copy the text to Fluxx.

Resources

Recommendations for developing fund proposals
Other grants

Contact us

Contact the Program Officer in any preferred language:

Region Regional Program Officer Email address
Middle East & North Africa Farida El-Gueretly mena_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Subsaharská Afrika Willy Buloso ssa_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Južná Ázia Jacqueline Chen sa_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific Jacqueline Chen eseap_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Latin America & Caribbean Mercedes Caso lac_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Severná Amerika Chris Schilling na_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Northern & Western Europe Agnes Bruszik nwe_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia Chris Schilling ceeca_rapid(_AT_)wikimedia.org

References

  1. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/lobbying.
  2. Individuals who have access to the organizational bank account.