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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

  1. Read about what we fund and who can apply below.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Select the Apply for General Support Fund button on the main page. Click Save and Continue or Save and Close to save the application.
  5. 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.
General Support Fund Application Form (Google Docs)
General Support Fund Budget Template (Google Sheets)

What we fund

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.

Examples of projects we fund as part of annual plan
  • 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.
Examples of expenses we support
  • 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.
Examples of funded applications
Examples of proposals we do not fund
  • 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

  • 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.

What is 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.

Eligibility criteria

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.
For first-time applicants
Behavioral and legal requirements
Eligibility for other funding programs

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:

If additional funding is needed, please contact your regional program officer to discuss the need for budgetary adjustments and other funding opportunities.
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.

Application process

For further information, see Application and review process.
Current Wikimedia fund regions:      Middle East & North Africa      Подсахарска Африка      Јужна Азија      East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific      Latin America & Caribbean      Северна Америка      Northern & Western Europe      Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia

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

Renewal process

Timeline

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)

Подсахарска Африка · Middle East & North Africa

11. август – 8. септембар 2024.

Applicant support and eligibility check

12. август 2024.

Renewal deadline

8. септембар 2024.

Submission deadline

11. септембар – 16. октобар 2024.

Review and translation

16. октобар – 4. новембар 2024.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

15. новембар 2024.

Decision announced

22. новембар – 12. децембар 2024.

Agreement and first payment

1. јул – 31. јул 2025.

Midpoint conversation

30. јануар 2026. / 31. март 2026.

Final or first year report due

East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific · Јужна Азија

9. август – 9. септембар 2024.

Applicant support and eligibility check

9. септембар 2024.

Renewal deadline

9. септембар 2024.

Submission deadline

9. септембар – 31. октобар 2024.

Review and translation

31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

29. новембар 2024.

Decision announced

13. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025.

Agreement and first payment

1. јул – 31. јул 2025.

Midpoint conversation

30. јануар 2026. / 31. март 2026.

Final or first year report due

Latin America & Caribbean

2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024.

Applicant support and eligibility check

9. септембар 2024.

Renewal deadline

30. септембар 2024.

Submission deadline

30. септембар – 24. октобар 2024.

Review and translation

31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

29. новембар 2024.

Decision announced

16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025.

Agreement and first payment

1. јул – 31. јул 2025.

Midpoint conversation

30. јануар 2026. / 31. март 2026.

Final or first year report due

Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Северна Америка

2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024.

Applicant support and eligibility check

2. септембар 2024.

Renewal deadline

30. септембар 2024.

Submission deadline

30. септембар – 24. октобар 2024.

Review and translation

24. октобар – 15. новембар 2024.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

29. новембар 2024.

Decision announced

16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025.

Agreement and first payment

1. јул – 31. јул 2025.

Midpoint conversation

30. јануар 2026. / 31. март 2026.

Final or first year report due

Northern & Western Europe

2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024.

Applicant support and eligibility check

2. септембар 2024.

Renewal deadline

30. септембар 2024.

Submission deadline

30. септембар – 24. октобар 2024.

Review and translation

31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

29. новембар 2024.

Decision announced

16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025.

Agreement and first payment

1. јул – 31. јул 2025.

Midpoint conversation

30. јануар 2026. / 31. март 2026.

Final or first year report due

Full timeline for all regions
SSA MENA SA ESEAP LATAM CEECA NA NWE
Renewals deadline 12. август 2024. 12. август 2024. 9. септембар 2024. 9. септембар 2024. 9. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024.
Applicant proposal support starts 11. август 2024. 11. август 2024. 9. август 2024. 9. август 2024. 2. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024. 2. септембар 2024.
Eligibility check 11. август – 8. септембар 2024. 11. август – 8. септембар 2024. 9. август – 9. септембар 2024. 9. август – 9. септембар 2024. 2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024. 2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024. 2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024. 2. септембар – 30. септембар 2024.
Submission deadline 8. септембар 2024. 8. септембар 2024. 9. септембар 2024. 9. септембар 2024. 30. септембар 2024. 30. септембар 2024. 30. септембар 2024. 30. септембар 2024.
Application translation support 11. септембар – 18. септембар 2024. 11. септембар – 18. септембар 2024. 9. септембар – 23. септембар 2024. 9. септембар – 23. септембар 2024. 30. септембар – 6. октобар 2024. 30. септембар – 6. октобар 2024. 30. септембар – 6. октобар 2024. 30. септембар – 6. октобар 2024.
Review starts 20. септембар 2024. 20. септембар 2024. 23. септембар 2024. 23. септембар 2024. 7. октобар 2024. 7. октобар 2024. 7. октобар 2024. 7. октобар 2024.
Feedback received 16. октобар 2024. 16. октобар 2024. 31. октобар 2024. 31. октобар 2024. 24. октобар 2024. 24. октобар 2024. 24. октобар 2024. 24. октобар 2024.
Engaging with feedback 16. октобар – 4. новембар 2024. 16. октобар – 4. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024. 31. октобар – 15. новембар 2024.
Decision announced 15. новембар 2024. 15. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024. 29. новембар 2024.
Agreement signed 22. новембар 2024. 22. новембар 2024. 13. децембар 2024. 13. децембар 2024. 16. децембар 2024. 16. децембар 2024. 16. децембар 2024. 16. децембар 2024.
First payment sent 29. новембар – 12. децембар 2024. 29. новембар – 12. децембар 2024. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025. 16. децембар 2024. – 17. јануар 2025.
Midpoint learning conversation 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025. 1. јул – 31. јул 2025.
Final report due 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026.
Yearly report due for multi-year funds 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026. 31. март 2026.

Round 2 (2024-25)

Подсахарска Африка · Middle East & North Africa

10. фебруар – 1. март 2025.

Applicant support and eligibility check

10. фебруар 2025.

Renewal deadline

1. март 2025.

Submission deadline

3. март – 11. април 2025.

Review and translation

11. април – 1. мај 2025.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

16. мај 2025.

Decision announced

20. мај – 25. јун 2025.

Agreement and first payment

15. јануар 2026.

Midpoint conversation

31. јул 2026. / 15. август 2026.

Final or first year report due

East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific · Јужна Азија

14. фебруар – 13. март 2025.

Applicant support and eligibility check

14. март 2025.

Renewal deadline

13. март 2025.

Submission deadline

13. март – 21. април 2025.

Review and translation

21. април – 5. мај 2025.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

23. мај 2025.

Decision announced

6. јун – 30. јун 2025.

Agreement and first payment

15. јануар 2026.

Midpoint conversation

31. јул 2026. / 15. август 2026.

Final or first year report due

Latin America & Caribbean

10. фебруар – 1. март 2025.

Applicant support and eligibility check

10. фебруар 2025.

Renewal deadline

1. март 2025.

Submission deadline

3. март – 4. април 2025.

Review and translation

4. април – 2. мај 2025.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

16. мај 2025.

Decision announced

30. мај – 14. јун 2025.

Agreement and first payment

15. јануар 2026.

Midpoint conversation

31. јул 2026. / 15. август 2026.

Final or first year report due

Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Северна Америка

17. фебруар – 7. март 2025.

Applicant support and eligibility check

17. фебруар 2025.

Renewal deadline

7. март 2025.

Submission deadline

10. март – 4. април 2025.

Review and translation

4. април – 2. мај 2025.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

16. мај 2025.

Decision announced

30. мај – 14. јун 2025.

Agreement and first payment

15. јануар 2026.

Midpoint conversation

31. јул 2026. / 15. август 2026.

Final or first year report due

Northern & Western Europe

21. фебруар – 14. март 2025.

Applicant support and eligibility check

21. фебруар 2025.

Renewal deadline

14. март 2025.

Submission deadline

14. март – 4. април 2025.

Review and translation

4. април – 20. април 2025.

Review feedback and applicant engagement

30. април 2025.

Decision announced

15. мај – 13. јун 2025.

Agreement and first payment

30. јануар 2026.

Midpoint conversation

31. јул 2026. / 14. август 2026.

Final or first year report due

Full timeline for all regions
SSA MENA SA ESEAP LATAM CEECA NA NWE
Renewals Deadline 10. фебруар 2025. 10. фебруар 2025. 14. март 2025. 14. март 2025. 10. фебруар 2025. 17. фебруар 2025. 17. фебруар 2025. 21. фебруар 2025.
Applicant proposal support starts 10. фебруар 2025. 10. фебруар 2025. 14. фебруар 2025. 14. фебруар 2025. 10. фебруар 2025. 17. фебруар 2025. 17. фебруар 2025. 21. фебруар 2025.
Eligibility check 10. фебруар – 1. март 2025. 10. фебруар – 1. март 2025. 14. фебруар – 13. март 2025. 14. фебруар – 13. март 2025. 10. фебруар – 1. март 2025. 17. фебруар – 7. март 2025. 17. фебруар – 7. март 2025. 21. фебруар – 14. март 2025.
Submission deadline 1. март 2025. 1. март 2025. 13. март 2025. 13. март 2025. 1. март 2025. 7. март 2025. 7. март 2025. 14. март 2025.
Application translation support 3. март – 10. март 2025. 3. март – 10. март 2025. 13. март – 27. март 2025. 13. март – 27. март 2025. 3. март – 10. март 2025. 10. март – 17. март 2025. 10. март – 17. март 2025. 14. март – 21. март 2025.
Review starts 14. март 2025. 14. март 2025. 28. март 2025. 28. март 2025. 14. март 2025. 17. март 2025. 17. март 2025. 21. март 2025.
Feedback received 11. април 2025. 11. април 2025. 21. април 2025. 21. април 2025. 4. април 2025. 4. април 2025. 4. април 2025. 4. април 2025.
Engaging with feedback 11. април – 1. мај 2025. 11. април – 1. мај 2025. 21. април – 5. мај 2025. 21. април – 5. мај 2025. 4. април – 2. мај 2025. 11. април – 2. мај 2025. 11. април – 2. мај 2025. 4. април – 20. април 2025.
Decision announced 16. мај 2025. 16. мај 2025. 23. мај 2025. 23. мај 2025. 16. мај 2025. 16. мај 2025. 16. мај 2025. 30. април 2025.
Agreement signed 20. мај 2025. 20. мај 2025. 6. јун 2025. 6. јун 2025. 30. мај 2025. 30. мај 2025. 30. мај 2025. 15. мај 2025.
First payment sent 25. мај – 25. јун 2025. 24. мај – 7. јун 2025. 6. јун – 30. јун 2025. 6. јун – 30. јун 2025. 30. мај – 14. јун 2025. 30. мај – 14. јун 2025. 30. мај – 14. јун 2025. 16. мај – 13. јун 2025.
Midpoint learning conversation 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 15. јануар 2026. 30. јануар 2026.
Final report due 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026. 31. јул 2026.
Yearly report due for multi-year funds 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 15. август 2026. 14. август 2026.

Principles and values

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

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.

  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 report and click Edit. Answer the questions in the form. You can write it in any preferred language.
  4. 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.

Final or Yearly Report Form (Google Docs)
  • English
  • (translations will be available soon)

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.

Midterm Conversation Questions (Google Docs)
Final or Yearly Conversation Questions (Google Docs)

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.
Final or Yearly Report Form (Google Docs)
  • English
  • (translations will be available soon)
  • Yearly conversation between PO-grantee partners: The same meeting as final conversation meeting but organised yearly.
Final or Yearly Conversation Questions (Google Docs)

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

Contact us

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(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Подсахарска Африка Veronica Thamaini ssa_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Јужна Азија Jacqueline Chen sa_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific Jacqueline Chen eseap_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Latin America & Caribbean Mercedes Caso lac_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Северна Америка Chris Schilling na_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Northern & Western Europe Agnes Bruszik nwe_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org
Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia Chris Schilling ceeca_fund(_AT_)wikimedia.org