A while back, Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales, posted an appeal for donations to keep Wikipedia on the Internet as a free site. According to Wales, the site is the 5th most-read on the Web worldwide. It has a staff of under 35 people, with a 10 million dollar yearly budget. Wales took the site nonprofit in 2003 (having started in 2001), so donations are all tax deductible.
In a statement recently posted at the site, Wales writes the following:
As of December 31, 2009, we have reached our campaign goal of 7.5 million USD. Thank you to all who have donated! Your continued donations will support Wikimedia’s long-term operations and growth, cover contingencies, and allow us to fund new projects and activities.
I love Wikipedia, and am very pleased that the website will continue to be financially strong.
