Founded | June 20, 2003 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
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Founder | Jimmy Wales |
Type | 501(c)(3), charitable organization |
20-0049703 | |
Focus | Free, open-content, -based Internet projects |
Location |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
Products | , Wiktionary, , , , , , , , , |
Membership
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Board-only |
Key people
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Christophe Henner, chair of the board Katherine Maher, executive director |
Revenue
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Expenses |
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Employees
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~280 staff/contractors (as of June 16, 2017[update]) |
Website |
As of 2015[update], the foundation employs over 280 people, with annual revenues in excess of US$75 million. Christophe Henner is chair of the board.Katherine Maher is the executive director since March 2016.
In April 2005, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service approved the foundation as an educational foundation in the category "Adult, Continuing education", meaning all contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
On December 11, 2006, the Foundation's board noted that the corporation could not become the membership organization initially planned but never implemented due to an inability to meet the registration requirements of Florida statutory law. Accordingly, the by-laws were amended to remove all reference to membership rights and activities. The decision to change the bylaws was passed by the board unanimously.
On September 25, 2007, the foundation's board gave notice that the operations would be moving to the San Francisco Bay Area. Major considerations cited for choosing San Francisco were proximity to like-minded organizations and potential partners, a better talent pool, as well as cheaper and more convenient international travel than is available from St. Petersburg, Florida.
The foundation began recognizing chapters in 2004. In 2010, development on additional models began. In 2012, the foundation approved, finalized, and adopted the thematic organization and user group recognition models. An additional model, movement partners, was also approved but as of 27 October 2015[update] has not yet been finalized or adopted.