Wikimedia receives $2 million grant from Omidyar Network

The Wikimedia Foundation, the organisation responsible for the operation of the Wikipedia free online encyclopaedia, has received a $2 million grant from the Omidyar Network. According to the announcement, the grant of up to $2 million from the Omidyar Network, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar's philanthropic and investment organisation, will support Wikimedia's key goals over the next two years. In addition to its financial support, the Omidyar Network has also promised to "dedicate internal resources and engage its network to support Wikimedia's strategic planning process, communications work, and recruiting."

On the same day, Matt Halprin, the former Vice President of Global Trust and Safety at eBay and a new partner at Omidyar Network, was appointed to the Wikimedia foundation's Board of Trustees. Michael Snow, chair of the Wikimedia Foundation Board said “We are very grateful for Omidyar Network's support. I am also delighted to have Matt joining us,”.

The Wikimedia Foundation also announced other new appointments to the Board of Trustees at this years International Wikimania Conference, taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from the 26th to the 28th of August. The Boards newest member, Samuel Klein, was elected by the Wikimedia community in its biannual online election. Kat Walsh and Ting Chen have returned to the Board in their incumbent seats. Each of the three community-elected members will complete a two-year term that expires on the 1st of July, 2011. The Wikimedia Foundation also welcomed Arne Klempert, a former Executive Director and an original co-founder of Wikimedia Deutschland (Germany), to serve in a chapter-selected Board seat.

See also:

• Wikimedia receives $500,000 from Hewlett Foundation, a report from The H.
• Wikipedia notches up 3 million English-language articles, a report form The H.

(crve)