Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/General Support Fund
 | October 15, 2024: General Support Fund (GSF) recipients will no longer required to submit any affiliate reporting information to the Wikimedia Affiliate Data. All affiliate reporting requirements will be met by the final GSF report in Fluxx. |
Who?
Individuals, groups, Wikimedia affiliates or organisations from Wikimedia movement
What?
For annual or strategic plans that require sustained support and for larger projects and programs.
When?
4 months processing time, 2 rounds in a year
How much?
10,000 USD (minimum). Maximum budget depends on regional funding budgets.
How to apply
[edit]- Read about what we fund and who can apply below.
- Required step: Contact the Regional Program Officer as you start to think about your application. They will help to understand what round to apply for and will support you in the process.
- 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 one working day.
- Select the Apply for General Support Fund button on the main page. Click Save and Continue or Save and Close to save the application.
- Follow the instructions on the application form. 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.
What we fund
[edit]General Support Fund can fund both annual plans and more narrow but distinct projects that require more funding than Rapid Funds can support. Ideally, the minimum length of programming for a General Support Fund is 6 months of work implementation. Exceptions to this rule can be considered due to regional variances.
- Education projects
- Cultural and heritage projects that support contribution of content, curation of the content and promote accessibility of that content.
- Gender and diversity projects
- Community support and engagement projects
- Coordination of global campaigns.
- Public policy advocacy projects that aim to influence legal and regulatory environments (at the national, regional or international level) in order to protect the people, model and the values of the free knowledge movement. These projects could target national legislation, trade agreements, human rights frameworks, and any other regulations and norms set by governments and lawmakers.
- Operating expenses - working space, services, and other common costs needed for an affiliate to opereate.
- Programmatic expenses - data costs to support access to online events, prizes, outreach, and other common costs needed to support programs.
- Staff expenses - compensation for well-defined roles that do not replace volunteer activities, including (but not limited to) graphic design, training, childcare services, translation, project or organisation management, and Wikimedian-in-Residence roles.
- Learning or training expenses - costs related to learning or training for community members or affiliate staff.
- Travel and participation expenses for staff and organisers.
- Indic MediaWiki Developers UG 2024 Annual Plan (India, South Asia)
- Wikimedia Korea Strategic Annual Plan 2024 (South Korea, East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific)
- GOIF 2024 Annual Grant (Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa)
- Wikimedia MA Multi Annual Grant 2024-2026 (Morocco, Middle East & North Africa)
- Wikimedia DC: Sustaining and Growing Chapter Programs and Partnerships in 2023-24 (United States of America, North America)
- Wiki Editoras LX 2024-2026 multi-year plan (Northern & Western Europe)
- Developing Free Knowledge in Georgia, 2023 (Georgia, Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia)
- Plan 2024-2025 de estrategias y acciones para Wikimedistas de Uruguay (Uruguay, Latin America & Caribbean)
- Plan annuel 2023-2024 Haiti (Haiti, Latin America & Caribbean)
- Proposals that fit certain criteria are not eligible for review in the Wikimedia Community Fund:
- Proposals that are primarily focused on research activities should be submitted to the Wikimedia Research Fund.
- Proposals that are primarily focused on large-scale software development are not eligible for review. Smaller-scale software development projects may be eligible for review in the Rapid Fund pending review from Community Resources and Technology department staff.
Regional Fund Committees have flexibility to fund projects and expenses that applicants identify based on their specific context and situational needs, and may support additional requests not described here.
Available funding
[edit]- Historically, funding has been awarded between a wide range of amounts, between 10,000 – 550,000 USD, depending on the size of grantees and their related programs requiring funding.
- The minimum amount for a General Support Fund application remains 10,000 USD.
- The maximum annual funding amount of a General Support Fund is depending on regional funds budgets and individual assessment of the proposals by the Regional Funds Committee Members.
- The average annual grant amount awarded for a first-time grantee in Fiscal Year 2024/25 was 33,000 USD globally, while regionally: NA: 130,500 USD, NWE: 50,000 USD, SA: 22,300 USD, ESEAP: 26,600 USD, SSA: 15,400 USD, MENA: 20,600 USD.
General Support Fund offers unrestricted funding.
Unrestricted funding means that grantees are able to reallocate funding in their budget to new or existing mission-aligned activities or expenses at their own discretion during the funding period. You do not need to obtain permission from the Foundation for reallocation for these changes in your budget. The General Support Fund fundamentally awards unrestricted grants, however, exceptions might apply. Past examples of restricted grants are:
- Amendment for a specific case or set of expenses.
- Specific cases of externally supported organizational or strategic reviews by third parties for a grantee.
- Public policy advocacy efforts.
- External fundraising support for a fixed period of time and for a specific external project.
- Government restrictions to receiving funding.
- In line with the Grant Agreement, financial variations of 20% or more from any budget-item in Grantee’s unrestricted project proposal, requiring a notification and PO approval.
Wikimedia Community Fund budget in funding regions
Eligibility criteria
[edit]The General Support Fund (GSF) is open to Wikimedia Movement organizations and organized groups of Wikimedia volunteers, to support the effective programmatic work of those implementing their work in 100% of the time related to and focusing exclusively on Wikimedia projects.
Organizations outside the Wikimedia Movement that occasionally collaborate with Wikimedia projects, but whose activities are not 100% of the time related to and focusing on Wikimedia projects, are not eligible for General Support Fund.
Any General Support Fund applicant must be in contact with the application's Regional Program Officer at least one month before the deadline for application. If you have not had a conversation with your Program Officer about applying for General Support Funding, you will need to apply in the subsequent rounds of funding.
The following are basic criteria that must be met by all Wikimedia Community Fund applicants in order for a proposal to be reviewed:
- Proposed programs and activities are aligned with the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation.
- Works and contributions must be able to be published under ethical, open access agreements
- Applications must be for future, planned work
- Applicants that are organisations must be designated as a Wikimedia affiliate, or must be an organisation with a demonstrable history and primary focus related to the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation, such as improving Wikimedia projects and supporting its volunteer contributors.
- Follow the guidance on the First-time applicants page.
- Applicant must follow the Universal Code of Conduct and Friendly Space Policies
- Applicants must be in compliance with all requirements and in good standing for any current activities funded through the Wikimedia Foundation
- Applicant is within a country that can legally receive funding for the described activities and expenses based on laws on sending and receiving funds in the United States and their country
- Applicant does not appear on the United States Department of Treasury Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List (SDN)
- Applicants receiving funding must not be Wikimedia Foundation staff members or contractors working more than part time (more than 20 hours per week).
- Applicant must provide all information and documents needed to receive the funding from Wikimedia Foundation.
General Support Fund recipients are eligible to apply for some other Wikimedia Foundation funding programs:
General Support Fund recipients are not eligible to apply for:
- Rapid Funds (see details here for specific eligibility for affiliate leaders)
- Wikimedia Alliances Fund
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.
All eligibility requirements of Wikimedia Foundation
Application process
[edit]
We work together to be strategic thought partners with applicants. The funding decisions are based on eligibility and committee deliberation.
Here's the summary of the application and review process:
- Applicant submission: Applicants submit their proposal.
- Due diligence: Program Officers and Grant Administrators organise the proposals and supporting documents for committee review.
- Regional Fund Committee review: Committee members review the proposals and supporting documents individually based on a series of criteria and questions.
- Initial feedback: Committees may publish questions to clarify any aspects of the proposal. Community members may also be posting comments, questions or feedback that applicants should respond to.
- Structured feedback from Regional Committee: The whole committee meets to discuss each project to consolidate a unified feedback document that will be sent to applicants.
- Staff feedback shared with committee: Program Officers share their review of each proposal with Committee members.
- Committee/Applicant meetings: In certain cases, committee members may request a live session with the applicants to discuss this feedback and ask questions. Program Officers may also organise these spaces to provide applicants with support to review this feedback.
- Applicant responses and revisions: Applicants have a set time to make necessary adjustments or clarifications.
- Deliberations: Committee members hold a second round of formal deliberation sessions to make their final decisions on the funding. In this stage they take into consideration all the recommendations and adjustments, as well as the overall budget for the region.
- Committee funding decision and remarks: Applicants are informed of the funding decision via email, Fluxx and Meta-Wiki. If approved, grant administration process begins.
Multi-year funding process
[edit]Learn more about multi-year funding process
Renewal process
[edit]Learn more about renewal process
Timeline
[edit]General Support timeline is different based on the applicant's funding region. See below for the regional calendar. If you don't know your funding region, look for it at find your region page.
Round 1 (2024-25)
[edit]August 11 – September 8, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
August 12, 2024
Renewal deadline
September 8, 2024
Submission deadline
September 11 – October 16, 2024
Review and translation
October 16 – November 4, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
November 15, 2024
Decision announced
November 22 – December 12, 2024
Agreement and first payment
July 1 – July 31, 2025
Midpoint conversation
January 30, 2026 / March 31, 2026
Final or first year report due
August 9 – September 9, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
September 9, 2024
Renewal deadline
September 9, 2024
Submission deadline
September 9 – October 31, 2024
Review and translation
October 31 – November 15, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
November 29, 2024
Decision announced
December 13, 2024 – January 17, 2025
Agreement and first payment
July 1 – July 31, 2025
Midpoint conversation
January 30, 2026 / March 31, 2026
Final or first year report due
September 2 – September 30, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
September 9, 2024
Renewal deadline
September 30, 2024
Submission deadline
September 30 – October 24, 2024
Review and translation
October 31 – November 15, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
November 29, 2024
Decision announced
December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025
Agreement and first payment
July 1 – July 31, 2025
Midpoint conversation
January 30, 2026 / March 31, 2026
Final or first year report due
September 2 – September 30, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
September 2, 2024
Renewal deadline
September 30, 2024
Submission deadline
September 30 – October 24, 2024
Review and translation
October 24 – November 15, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
November 29, 2024
Decision announced
December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025
Agreement and first payment
July 1 – July 31, 2025
Midpoint conversation
January 30, 2026 / March 31, 2026
Final or first year report due
September 2 – September 30, 2024
Applicant support and eligibility check
September 2, 2024
Renewal deadline
September 30, 2024
Submission deadline
September 30 – October 24, 2024
Review and translation
October 31 – November 15, 2024
Review feedback and applicant engagement
November 29, 2024
Decision announced
December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025
Agreement and first payment
July 1 – July 31, 2025
Midpoint conversation
January 30, 2026 / March 31, 2026
Final or first year report due
| SSA | MENA | SA | ESEAP | LATAM | CEECA | NA | NWE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewals deadline | August 12, 2024 | August 12, 2024 | September 9, 2024 | September 9, 2024 | September 9, 2024 | September 2, 2024 | September 2, 2024 | September 2, 2024 |
| Applicant proposal support starts | August 11, 2024 | August 11, 2024 | August 9, 2024 | August 9, 2024 | September 2, 2024 | September 2, 2024 | September 2, 2024 | September 2, 2024 |
| Eligibility check | August 11 – September 8, 2024 | August 11 – September 8, 2024 | August 9 – September 9, 2024 | August 9 – September 9, 2024 | September 2 – September 30, 2024 | September 2 – September 30, 2024 | September 2 – September 30, 2024 | September 2 – September 30, 2024 |
| Submission deadline | September 8, 2024 | September 8, 2024 | September 9, 2024 | September 9, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 |
| Application translation support | September 11 – September 18, 2024 | September 11 – September 18, 2024 | September 9 – September 23, 2024 | September 9 – September 23, 2024 | September 30 – October 6, 2024 | September 30 – October 6, 2024 | September 30 – October 6, 2024 | September 30 – October 6, 2024 |
| Review starts | September 20, 2024 | September 20, 2024 | September 23, 2024 | September 23, 2024 | October 7, 2024 | October 7, 2024 | October 7, 2024 | October 7, 2024 |
| Feedback received | October 16, 2024 | October 16, 2024 | October 31, 2024 | October 31, 2024 | October 24, 2024 | October 24, 2024 | October 24, 2024 | October 24, 2024 |
| Engaging with feedback | October 16 – November 4, 2024 | October 16 – November 4, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 | October 31 – November 15, 2024 |
| Decision announced | November 15, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | November 29, 2024 |
| Agreement signed | November 22, 2024 | November 22, 2024 | December 13, 2024 | December 13, 2024 | December 16, 2024 | December 16, 2024 | December 16, 2024 | December 16, 2024 |
| First payment sent | November 29 – December 12, 2024 | November 29 – December 12, 2024 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 | December 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025 |
| Midpoint learning conversation | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 | July 1 – July 31, 2025 |
| Final report due | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 | January 30, 2026 |
| Yearly report due for multi-year funds | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
Round 2 (2024-25)
[edit]February 10 – March 1, 2025
Applicant support and eligibility check
February 10, 2025
Renewal deadline
March 1, 2025
Submission deadline
March 3 – April 11, 2025
Review and translation
April 11 – May 1, 2025
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 16, 2025
Decision announced
May 20 – June 25, 2025
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2026
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2026 / August 15, 2026
Final or first year report due
February 14 – March 13, 2025
Applicant support and eligibility check
March 14, 2025
Renewal deadline
March 13, 2025
Submission deadline
March 13 – April 21, 2025
Review and translation
April 21 – May 5, 2025
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 23, 2025
Decision announced
June 6 – June 30, 2025
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2026
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2026 / August 15, 2026
Final or first year report due
February 10 – March 1, 2025
Applicant support and eligibility check
February 10, 2025
Renewal deadline
March 1, 2025
Submission deadline
March 3 – April 4, 2025
Review and translation
April 4 – May 2, 2025
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 16, 2025
Decision announced
May 30 – June 14, 2025
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2026
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2026 / August 15, 2026
Final or first year report due
February 17 – March 7, 2025
Applicant support and eligibility check
February 17, 2025
Renewal deadline
March 7, 2025
Submission deadline
March 10 – April 4, 2025
Review and translation
April 4 – May 2, 2025
Review feedback and applicant engagement
May 16, 2025
Decision announced
May 30 – June 14, 2025
Agreement and first payment
January 15, 2026
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2026 / August 15, 2026
Final or first year report due
February 21 – March 14, 2025
Applicant support and eligibility check
February 21, 2025
Renewal deadline
March 14, 2025
Submission deadline
March 14 – April 4, 2025
Review and translation
April 4 – April 20, 2025
Review feedback and applicant engagement
April 30, 2025
Decision announced
May 15 – June 13, 2025
Agreement and first payment
January 30, 2026
Midpoint conversation
July 31, 2026 / August 14, 2026
Final or first year report due
| SSA | MENA | SA | ESEAP | LATAM | CEECA | NA | NWE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewals Deadline | February 10, 2025 | February 10, 2025 | March 14, 2025 | March 14, 2025 | February 10, 2025 | February 17, 2025 | February 17, 2025 | February 21, 2025 |
| Applicant proposal support starts | February 10, 2025 | February 10, 2025 | February 14, 2025 | February 14, 2025 | February 10, 2025 | February 17, 2025 | February 17, 2025 | February 21, 2025 |
| Eligibility check | February 10 – March 1, 2025 | February 10 – March 1, 2025 | February 14 – March 13, 2025 | February 14 – March 13, 2025 | February 10 – March 1, 2025 | February 17 – March 7, 2025 | February 17 – March 7, 2025 | February 21 – March 14, 2025 |
| Submission deadline | March 1, 2025 | March 1, 2025 | March 13, 2025 | March 13, 2025 | March 1, 2025 | March 7, 2025 | March 7, 2025 | March 14, 2025 |
| Application translation support | March 3 – March 10, 2025 | March 3 – March 10, 2025 | March 13 – March 27, 2025 | March 13 – March 27, 2025 | March 3 – March 10, 2025 | March 10 – March 17, 2025 | March 10 – March 17, 2025 | March 14 – March 21, 2025 |
| Review starts | March 14, 2025 | March 14, 2025 | March 28, 2025 | March 28, 2025 | March 14, 2025 | March 17, 2025 | March 17, 2025 | March 21, 2025 |
| Feedback received | April 11, 2025 | April 11, 2025 | April 21, 2025 | April 21, 2025 | April 4, 2025 | April 4, 2025 | April 4, 2025 | April 4, 2025 |
| Engaging with feedback | April 11 – May 1, 2025 | April 11 – May 1, 2025 | April 21 – May 5, 2025 | April 21 – May 5, 2025 | April 4 – May 2, 2025 | April 11 – May 2, 2025 | April 11 – May 2, 2025 | April 4 – April 20, 2025 |
| Decision announced | May 16, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | April 30, 2025 |
| Agreement signed | May 20, 2025 | May 20, 2025 | June 6, 2025 | June 6, 2025 | May 30, 2025 | May 30, 2025 | May 30, 2025 | May 15, 2025 |
| First payment sent | May 25 – June 25, 2025 | May 24 – June 7, 2025 | June 6 – June 30, 2025 | June 6 – June 30, 2025 | May 30 – June 14, 2025 | May 30 – June 14, 2025 | May 30 – June 14, 2025 | May 16 – June 13, 2025 |
| Midpoint learning conversation | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 15, 2026 | January 30, 2026 |
| Final report due | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| Yearly report due for multi-year funds | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
Principles and values
[edit]The principles that are foundational and underline the Wikimedia Foundation Funds' strategy are based directly on the Movement Strategy Principles:
- Subsidiarity & Self Management
- Equity & Empowerment
- Collaboration & Cooperation
- People Centeredness – listening and reflection
- Efficient Data & Iterative Practices – promoting innovation and learning
Reporting requirements
[edit]There are two types of required reports if your General Support Fund request is approved: Final report (written) and Conversation report (online meeting).
Final learning report
This is a written report to submit within 30 days after the grant end date.
- Go to Wikimedia Foundation Grantee Portal (Fluxx) and log in.
- Find the Reports section on the left sidebar. Select the Upcoming link and you will see all upcoming reports.
- Select the report and click Edit. Answer the questions in the form. You can write it in any preferred language.
- When the report is complete, click Submit to send it for review. The report will be published on Meta-Wiki within two working days.
You can prepare the report offline. Make a copy of the report form, answer the questions and copy the text to Fluxx.
Conversation reports
There are two conversation reports. You will meet the Program Officer online two times in the middle of the grant implementation and after completing the grant. They will ask questions and complete the forms.
You can review the questions before the online meeting. You do not need to fill out these forms.
Multi-year funding reports
If you have a multi-year funding, the required reports are slightly different.
- Yearly learning report: The same form as final learning report but submitted yearly.
- Yearly conversation between PO-grantee partners: The same meeting as final conversation meeting but organised yearly.
Financial compliance and audit
While budgeting and financial reporting practices may differ for each grantee, to improve overall financial and operational governance of organizations, in compliance with the Wikimedia Movement’s new affiliate health criteria, and to provide Regional Fund Committees a good shared understanding of how funds are being spent and what financial practices are being maintained, and how affiliate leadership is involved in the financial management, more detailed financial and Board Membership information might be asked from grantees.
Grant recipients, with a budget over a certain amount defined by the Regional Fund Committees for their specific region, will be required to provide more detailed financial reports or external audits. Grant recipients, who already provide annual public externally audited financial reports as part of their compliance with local legislation for registered non-profit organizations, can submit that financial report instead of an additional audit.Resources
[edit]- Review submissions and reports
- Find your funding region
- Grantee Portal (Fluxx) video tutorials
- Budget of Wikimedia Foundation Funds
- Application and Reporting Forms and Guides
- Recommendations for developing fund proposals
Contact us
[edit]If you have any questions about the General Support Fund, please reach out to your Regional Program Officer via email:
| Region | Regional Program Officer | Email address |
|---|---|---|
| Middle East & North Africa | Farida El-Gueretly | mena_fund wikimedia.org
|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Veronica Thamaini | ssa_fundwikimedia.org
|
| South Asia | Jacqueline Chen | sa_fundwikimedia.org
|
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific | Jacqueline Chen | eseap_fundwikimedia.org
|
| Latin America & Caribbean | Mercedes Caso | lac_fundwikimedia.org
|
| North America | Chris Schilling | na_fundwikimedia.org
|
| Northern & Western Europe | Agnes Bruszik | nwe_fundwikimedia.org
|
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia | Chris Schilling | ceeca_fundwikimedia.org
|
The Community Resources team at Wikimedia Foundation supports the Wikimedia Foundation Funds. We offer funding opportunities, guidance, and other resources to the Wikimedia Movement.