Wikimedia Foundation Org
Wikimedia Foundation shows consistent revenue and asset growth over the past decade, maintaining strong financial health.
EIN: 200049703 · San Francisco, CA · NTEE: B60 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Wikimedia Foundation Org Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Wikimedia Foundation Org directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Wikimedia Foundation Org
Wikimedia Foundation Org (EIN: 200049703) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, CA, classified under NTEE code B60. The organization reported total revenue of $283.1M and total assets of $286.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Wikimedia Foundation Org's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Wikimedia Foundation Org is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 17.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $180.2M |
| Total Expenses | $168.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$11.9M |
| Total Assets | $274.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $19.2M |
| Net Assets | $255.0M |
| Operating Margin | 6.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 7.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 19.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Wikimedia Foundation Org reported a surplus of $11.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 19.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 7.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Wikimedia Foundation Org's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +7.3% | +15.4% | +9.2% |
| 2022 | +5.6% | +30.6% | +4.5% |
| 2021 | +27.6% | -0.4% | +25.6% |
| 2020 | +5.1% | +24.5% | +8.7% |
| 2019 | +16.8% | +14.4% | +20.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2100 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Wikimedia Foundation Org with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Wikimedia Foundation Org allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $11.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 7.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data indicates 0% officer compensation across all listed filing periods, which is unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories or that the top officers are uncompensated, requiring further detailed review of the full 990 forms.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Wikimedia Foundation Org's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed officer compensation in summary data (reported as 0%)
- High growth in assets could lead to questions about endowment vs. immediate program spending if not clearly communicated.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Wikimedia Foundation Org:
- Exceptional revenue growth, from $52.9M in 2014 to $283.1M currently.
- Strong financial health with a robust asset base ($286.7M) and low liabilities.
- Consistent generation of surpluses, contributing to asset growth.
- Clear mission focus (NTEE B60 - Libraries, Information Services, & Publishing).
Frequently Asked Questions about Wikimedia Foundation Org
Is Wikimedia Foundation Org a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wikimedia Foundation Org (EIN: 200049703) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Wikimedia Foundation Org spend its money?
Wikimedia Foundation Org directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Wikimedia Foundation Org tax-deductible?
Wikimedia Foundation Org is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200049703). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Wikimedia Foundation a good charity?
Based on its strong financial growth, substantial asset base ($286,759,938), and consistent revenue generation ($283,111,505 latest), the Wikimedia Foundation appears to be a financially healthy and well-supported organization. Its mission to provide free knowledge globally is impactful. Further review of detailed program spending would solidify this assessment.
How has Wikimedia Foundation's revenue grown over time?
Wikimedia Foundation has experienced significant revenue growth, increasing from $52,990,491 in 2014 to $180,199,672 in 2023 (period ending June). The latest reported revenue is $283,111,505, indicating continued strong fundraising success.
What is the organization's asset-to-liability ratio?
For the period ending 202306, the Wikimedia Foundation had assets of $274,123,369 and liabilities of $19,152,033, resulting in a very healthy asset-to-liability ratio of approximately 14.3:1, indicating strong financial solvency.
Why is officer compensation reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all provided filings is unusual for an organization of this scale. This could mean that the highest-paid officers are compensated through a related entity, or their compensation is categorized differently within the full 990 form, or they are genuinely uncompensated. A deeper dive into the full 990 is needed for clarity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Wikimedia Foundation Org showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Wikimedia Foundation Org's revenue has grown by 562.7%, moving from $27.2M to $180.2M. Total assets increased by 947.6% over the same period, from $26.2M to $274.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 859.5%, from $17.5M to $168.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Wikimedia Foundation Org reported a surplus of $11.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $19.2M in liabilities against $274.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 7.0%), resulting in net assets of $255.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $180.2M | $168.3M | $274.1M | $19.2M | — | — |
| 2022 | $167.9M | $145.8M | $251.0M | $11.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $159.0M | $111.7M | $240.2M | $9.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $124.6M | $112.2M | $191.3M | $10.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $118.6M | $90.1M | $176.0M | $10.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $101.6M | $78.7M | $145.9M | $10.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $90.0M | $69.1M | $120.5M | $7.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $78.7M | $65.1M | $97.6M | $5.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $78.1M | $52.5M | $82.8M | $4.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $53.0M | $45.0M | $60.6M | $7.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $45.7M | $35.2M | $48.1M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $39.7M | $29.0M | $37.2M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $27.2M | $17.5M | $26.2M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $180.2M, expenses of $168.3M, and assets of $274.1M (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $167.9M, expenses of $145.8M, and assets of $251.0M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $159.0M, expenses of $111.7M, and assets of $240.2M (revenue +27.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $124.6M, expenses of $112.2M, and assets of $191.3M (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $118.6M, expenses of $90.1M, and assets of $176.0M (revenue +16.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $101.6M, expenses of $78.7M, and assets of $145.9M (revenue +12.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $90.0M, expenses of $69.1M, and assets of $120.5M (revenue +14.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $78.7M, expenses of $65.1M, and assets of $97.6M (revenue +0.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $78.1M, expenses of $52.5M, and assets of $82.8M (revenue +47.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $53.0M, expenses of $45.0M, and assets of $60.6M (revenue +16.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $45.7M, expenses of $35.2M, and assets of $48.1M (revenue +15.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $39.7M, expenses of $29.0M, and assets of $37.2M (revenue +46.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $27.2M, expenses of $17.5M, and assets of $26.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Wikimedia Foundation Org:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Wikimedia Foundation Org is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.