This post was written by Katherine Bavage, Wikimedia UK Fundraising Manager
‘Imagine a world in which every single human being is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That’s what we’re doing…”
These are the words used by Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, that have historically inspired readers over the years to understand the heart of our movement and show their support by making a donation. The Wikimedia movement and Wikipedia would not exist without the sustained and fantastic generosity of donors from around the globe.
Wikimedia UK is funded partly by a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, from global fundraising campaigns on Wikimedia project sites, and partly by direct donations made to the charity. As a registered charity we have our own objects to deliver public benefit, and stay in touch year round with our donors about the work their support has helped to create.
At Wikimedia UK we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to the support our donors have shown us, which in 2013 was over £250,000 of direct gifts to the charity. As a result we have become a member of the Fundraising Standards Board and committed to meeting the terms of their fundraising promise which are:
- We are committed to high standards
- We are honest and open
- We are clear
- We are respectful
- We are fair and reasonable
- We are accountable.
You can read the full fundraising promise here and the Institute of Fundraising ‘Code of Fundraising Practice’ here.
Most importantly we have now developed a supporter complaint procedure which we will continue to highlight to donors. If you are unhappy with how a gift you have made has been handled, or have feedback about the process or any other aspect of our fundraising or donor communications you can let us know – in the first instance with an email to fundraising@wikimedia.org.uk. We hope we offer a good service, but we also believe that it can always be improved and that the best people to show us how are the people who it is designed to benefit – that’s you!
Presumably the headline should read “Fundraising Standards Board scheme” – WMUK’s not a member of their board?
Hi Mike. No I meant member. Membership of the ‘Fundraising Standards Board’ scheme. It’s apparent if you click the link.
Hi Katherine. I’m not sure we’re disagreeing here. In full, I was suggesting you change the headline to read “Wikimedia UK is now a member of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme”.
Hi Mike, Catherine is correct. Wikimedia is a member of the FRSB, they signed up this month. It’s all in the name although you do make an interesting point as they are not on our board but are now members of the Fundraising Standards Board and signed up to the self regulation of charity fundraising.
Either way I am very pleased to welcome them as members and to see Wikimedia so publically demonstrate their commitment to the public who support their charity. It all helps build public trust and confidence in charitable giving.
Alistair McLean, CEO of the FRSB