Wikipedia is part of everyday life for millions of people.
Its impact was almost immediate when it was created 23 years ago - yes, the most famous online encyclopedia has been around since January 2001.
But, being part of the Wikimedia Foundation, which is a US non-profit foundation funded mainly by donations from readers, Wikipedia needs... donations.
Contributors to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia Foundation
But despite having hundreds of millions of readers (the 7th most viewed website in the world in April this year), very, very few readers help the website they visit every day.
More specifically, 2% of all readers.
That's why a letter was sent (an email, that is) to the few readers who have already donated money to Wikipedia.
“When you made your contribution, you were one of the rare exceptions who donated to keep Wikipedia and its sister sites growing for millions of readers around the world,” reads the email.
In the letter signed by founder Jimmy Wales, “sincere gratitude” is expressed for the donation which was “immensely meaningful”.
“We still have a lot of work to do to sustain Wikipedia's long-term future, and this email is my only chance to get you involved this year,” he continues.
You don't pay to consult Wikipedia - but maintaining Wikipedia has costs.
“It's up to us to protect the future of free knowledge. I respectfully ask: if you can, please renew your donation today, it's important,” Jimmy appeals.
The direct appeal comes in the final stretch of the campaign. “We haven't reached our fundraising target,” he admits, although he understands that, due to the global financial context, “the last thing on your list of concerns is making a donation”.
“If all our former donors contributed a small amount today, our fundraising would be over. But most people don't respond to this email,” laments Jimmy Wales.
The most basic scheduled donation is 2 euros. Then there are the options of 5 euros, 20 euros, 35 euros or another amount.
