Financials
Sources: Candid and Charity Navigator
At the Wikimedia Foundation, transparency is decidedly one of our guiding principles. Our annual plan and operating budget are developed through open processes, subject to community feedback and Board approval, and always available for review by the public. For years, we have been awarded the Platinum Seal of Transparency by GuideStar (now Candid)—something of which we are proud.
42% Direct support to websites
Wikipedia and its companion sites benefit from ongoing technology upgrades, design improvements, legal support, and data analytics. We administer our suite of free knowledge sites efficiently—at a fraction of what many of our for-profit peers spend.
31% Direct support to communities
Wikimedia projects have global reach. This is enabled by the diverse contributions of volunteers from local communities around the world. We provide grants and other resources to support local contributors, community outreach events, and advocacy for growing free knowledge.
14% Administration and governance
Our core values include transparency and accountability. We manage funds and resources responsibly, and recruit and support skilled, passionate people to advance our mission.
13% Fundraising
Donor support remains the lifeblood of Wikipedia and our other free knowledge projects. Our team works year-round to ensure professionalism in the cultivation and stewardship of all gifts, every one of which helps provide resources critical to our work.
Balance Sheet - Audited (July 1, 2020—June 30, 2021)
Assets
Current assets: | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $86,811,585 US |
Current portion of contributions receivable | 700,000 |
Short-term investments | 117,288,017 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,878,743 |
Total current assets | 208,678,345 |
Restricted cash | 872,229 |
Noncurrent portion of contributions receivable | 690,399 |
Property, plant, and equipment, net | 9,798,002 |
Long-term investment | 20,196,126 |
Total assets | 240,235,101 |
Liabilities and net assets
Current liabilities: | |
Accounts payable | 2,913,957 |
Accrued expenses | 4,719,375 |
Other liabilities | 1,424,233 |
Total current liabilities | 9,057,565 |
Net assets: | |
Unrestricted | 229,294,335 |
Temporarily restricted | 1,883,201 |
Total net assets | 231,177,536 |
Total liabilities and net assets | 240,235,101 |
Statement of Activities - Audited (July 1, 2020—June 30, 2021)
Unrestricted net assets
Support and revenue: | |
Donations and contributions | $153,096,642 US |
In-kind service revenue | 473,709 |
Foreign currency gains | 1,576,737 |
Other income, net | 986,854 |
Investment income, net | 4,352,289 |
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted net assets | 2,400,455 |
Total support and revenue | 162,886,686 |
Expenses: | |
Salaries and wages | 67,857,676 |
Awards and grants | 9,810,844 |
Internet hosting | 2,384,439 |
In-kind service expenses | 473,709 |
Donation processing expenses | 6,386,483 |
Professional service expenses | 12,084,019 |
Other operating expenses | 10,383,125 |
Travel and conferences | 29,214 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,430,310 |
Special event expense, net | - |
Total expenses | 111,839,819 |
Increase in unrestricted net assets | 51,046,867 |
Temporarily restricted net assets
Contributions | 2,215,399 |
Release of restrictions on temporarily restricted net assets | (2,400,455) |
Increase (decrease) in net assets with donor restrictions | (185,056) |
Increase in net assets | 50,861,811 |
Net assets at beginning of year | 180,315,725 |
Net assets at end of year | 231,177,536 |
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