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Simple Annual Plan Grants

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The Simple APG program is officially closed for new applications. Please review our current programs for funding support, resources, and other guidance.

Eligibility

Before you can apply, you will need to show these four things. Your group or organization is closely aligned with the Wikimedia Foundation's mission. Most applicants to APG programs are Wikimedia Affiliates, or organizations devoted solely to Wikimedia work. Your group is able to legally receive grant funds from WMF, and has a bank account. In rare cases, a fiscal sponsorship may be permitted. You can demonstrate a history of consistent program success and learning, that matches your request. You can demonstrate a history of organizational effectiveness and resource management, that matches your request, including good practices in decision making, volunteer engagement, HR, and finance, as well as a commitment to respecting friendly space expectations. What you need to know about Simple Annual Plan Grants before you apply. What do annual plan grants fund? All the operating and program expenses you need funding for during your grant period. You will not be able to receive additional Project or Rapid grants during the grant period (exception for organizing international conferences). These are restricted grants, which means you need to follow your spending plan and receive advance permission to make changes to your budget. Limitations. Grants should be between 6 months and 12 months. Please contact simplewikimedia.org to inquire about funding limits, which depend on several factors. Applicants requesting large grants or grants including staff or contractors will be held to high standards in organizational and program effectiveness. There may be limits placed on your specific application, for budget or staffing, during the eligibility process. New applicants are not eligible to request paid staff until they have demonstrated several years experience with annual planning, or unless they already have paid staff in place. Applicants wishing to grow beyond 1.0 FTE must have 1-2 years experience managing paid staff. When to contact WMF. You should request your application as soon as you think you may apply, so you have an idea of what you are eligible to request in advance. After you submit your application using the button below, WMF staff will contact you to arrange a meeting. WMF will work with you to assess whether you are eligible to apply, and to inform you of any limits for budget and staffing in advance of your application. If you are eligible, WMF will set up your application form and post a formal notice of eligibility including rationale before you submit your application.

These good practices are guidelines, and not requirements.

Explore programs & learning

Programs We understand how our activities lead to the results we want. We have Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timebound (SMART) objectives. We set targets for global metrics, and metrics specific to our programs. Resources: Toolkits for specific programs done by Wikimedians Strategies for organizations doing programs Guide for SMART objectives Planning LEAN APPROACH TO PLANNING: We have an effective way of prioritizing our plans and activities. FOCUSED APPROACH TO PLANNING, includes the lean approach and also: We have an annual planning process that includes a wide group of relevant people. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO PLANNING, includes the focused approach and also: We have a strategic plan in place, and a way to monitor our progress against our plan. Resources: Suggestions about planning and prioritization at different stages from the OE learning center. Learning pattern about planning with your communities Understanding results LEAN APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING RESULTS: We track and report on global metrics, and metrics specific to our programs. We measure progress and achievements when a program is complete. FOCUSED APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING RESULTS, includes the lean approach and also: We also track progress while we are doing our programs. Our plans include baselines from previous implementations to understand results over time. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING RESULTS, includes the focused approach and also: We have a strategic plan in place, and a way to monitor our long term progress against our plan. We have effective ways of measuring both quantitative and qualitative results. Resources: Program evaluation portal, with resources for doing and understanding programs Learning pattern about evaluating project outcomes Learning We document what we learn from our programs and experiences. We use learning to improve our programs and our group or organization. We effectively share what we learn with others. Resources Learning pattern library Learning pattern about using learning patterns Storytelling guide LEAN APPROACH TO PROGRAMS: For those with success with one or two smaller local programs. FOCUSED APPROACH TO PROGRAMS: For those with success with a number of strong programs. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO PROGRAMS: For those with significant results at scale.

Explore decisions

Following laws, regulations, and contracts We are following all local laws and regulations for our group or organization. We are following the terms of any agreements with the Wikimedia Foundation, including grant agreements. Making decisions LEAN APPROACH TO MAKING DECISIONS: We know who is responsible for making important decisions that affect our group. At least three people are directly involved in making any important decisions that affect our group. We have a good understanding of what conflict of interest is, and we know how to avoid it. FOCUSED APPROACH TO MAKING DECISIONS', includes the lean approach and also: We have a clear understanding of the roles of each leader, in writing. We have a written policy in place about how group leaders are elected or appointed. We have legal and ethical standards, including a conflict of interest policy, in place. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO MAKING DECISIONS', includes the focused approach and also: We have a board handbook or guide, which describes leadership roles and expectations. Our leadership is diverse, and includes people with relevant skills. We have a plan in place for changing leadership without disrupting the organization. Resources: Suggestions about decision making from the OE learning center Learning pattern about creating a board handbook Learning pattern about a guide for decision making Keeping records and communicating LEAN APPROACH TO RECORD KEEPING: We have a place where we keep important information, and at least three people in our group have access. For important communication, we include at least two people from our group. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO RECORD KEEPING, includes the lean approach and also: We have a secure and effective system for managing knowledge, records, and contacts. We have a communications protocol in place. Resources: Learning pattern about documenting discussions Learning pattern about communicating about your work LEAN APPROACH TO DECISIONS: For informal groups that rely on volunteers to get things done. FOCUSED APPROACH TO DECISIONS: For groups with strong leadership and minimal staff, with an annual plan. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO DECISIONS: For groups guided by strategy aimed at significant long term impact.

Explore resources

Handling money LEAN APPROACH TO HANDLING MONEY: At least three people have access to the bank account where our funds are stored. We have a system to track important financial information like funds coming in and funds going out. We review finances monthly, an annual financial report is produced at the end of each fiscal year. We keep receipts for grant expenses as required in the grant agreement. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO HANDLING MONEY, includes the lean approach and also: We have rigorous financial control in place. Our accounting system meets local and international standards, including funds and program accounting. We do an annual audit. Resources: Guide to good financial controls. Learning pattern about making your financial report Suggestions for resource management from the OE learning center Financial planning LEAN APPROACH TO FINANCIAL PLANNING: We have a clear and realistic plan for how much we will spend on different programs and activities. We are effectively using the resources we have, including volunteer time and in-kind donations. FOCUSED APPROACH TO FINANCIAL PLANNING, includes the lean approach and also: We have a detailed budget, and track spending against its budget. We improve budget accuracy year over year and spending is closely tied to impact. We have plans in place in case we can't raise the resources we expected. STRATEGIC APPROACH TO FINANCIAL PLANNING, includes the focused approach and also: We have a detailed and accurate annual budget including high level categories and allocations by program. We do not have regular deficits, or rely on reserves. We have several different sources of funding. We have a fundraising plan in place, and adequate reserves. Resources: Suggestions for resource management from the OE learning center Simple APG budget template PEG budget guidelines Volunteers We have volunteers to do our projects, ways to find new volunteers. We have clearly defined roles for volunteers, and do not rely too much on any single volunteer. We have ways to support, understand needs and motivations, recognize, train and orient volunteers. We balance what volunteers want and need and what our organizations wants and needs. Resources for volunteer engagement: Volunteer engagement strategies from the OE learning center Learning pattern about how to find volunteers to support your programs Learning pattern about involving new volunteers Learning pattern about following up with volunteers after events Staff All staff have detailed job descriptions and we understand how staff time will lead to more impact. Programs are volunteer-driven, staff enable volunteers, staff work does not replace volunteer work. We have the ability to manage staff with the resources planned. We are stable already meet high standards for other good practices. We follow local laws and regulations for staff. We have a staffing plan, a travel policy, a reimbursement policy, and a termination policy. We have plans in place to evaluate the effectiveness of staff over time. LEAN APPROACH TO RESOURCES: For those with smaller and simpler budgets. FOCUSED APPROACH TO RESOURCES: For those with medium-sized budgets that are more complex STRATEGIC APPROACH TO RESOURCES: For those with larger or more complex budgets, and staff.