Wikipedia is Not Short on Cash
The notorious beggar has a rapidly growing $400 million war chest.
I know this might surprise some of you, but the everyman’s free encyclopedia isn’t exactly strapped for cash. Despite what it’s prominent donation banners, the Wikimedia Foundation, the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) responsible for the fundraising that operates Wikipedia, according to Andrew Orlowski of unheard.com, has amassed a $400 million as of March. The cost of running Wikipedia makes up just a fraction of this amount year-over-year, and people are upset because they feel Wikipedia’s notorious begging banner ads are deceiving.
I get it, these giant banners taking up half the page on one of your most accessed sites begging you for just $2 like they’re on the brink of extinction, only to find out they’re swimming in profit. But, it’s not like you don’t get what you’re paying for. Wikipedia gets 4/4 stars on Charity Navigator. They use the money to improve their wide range of free resources. Unlike the World Wildlife Foundation which spends almost 15% of its budget on fundraising expenses.
From my own experience trying to solicit donations from users on site’s much less good-for-mankind than Wikipedia, your conversion rate’s are low. Wikipedia claims there’s are just 2%, and I believe them. If it takes a little emotional manipulation every few months for me to read about Columbus day.
Let me know what you think about this story or the topic. If you’re reading this post in your inbox, you can reply as if it were a normal email. If you’re on the website, leave a comment!