Legacy Gift

Legacy Gifts to the Wikimedia Foundation

Artistic Rendering of the Library of Alexandria

The Wikimedia Foundation has a bold vision: Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge.  We work to realize this vision by fostering Wikipedia and its sister projects, which are read by nearly 500 million people every month, from every country around the world.

With ongoing support from donors across the globe, the Wikimedia Foundation will continue its work of providing free access to knowledge to everyone on the planet, long into the future. One important way you can help Wikipedia prosper in the long-term is by including the Wikimedia Foundation in your will.

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We gratefully acknowledge the legacies of the following donors:

Timothy J. Cronin*

Tim Cronin was an avid Wikipedia and Wiktionary reader who used the sites as a first resort to learn about new subjects and to check pronunciations. He was inspired and moved by the Wikipedia vision statement, sometimes even reciting it out loud to his wife while looking up an article: “Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That's our commitment.” He was amazed at how accurate and complete so many of the entries were, and he decided to include the Wikimedia Foundation in his estate plans because he wanted to give back to the site he felt had given him so much.

During his time at Fresno State, Tim and his college roommate built their own PC, and Tim’s love of computers continued the rest of his life. Both at work and at home, Tim loved to be in front of a computer, reading and learning. He also enjoyed roller-skating, biking, photography and had his pilot’s license. Tim worked for Caltrans and was a licensed surveyor and a member of the Professional Engineers in California Government and the California Land Surveyors Association.

Frans Guepin*

Hanna W. Hopp*

Robert Neale*

Jim Pacha*

Jim Pacha was a senior software engineer at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation in Boulder, Colorado. A lifelong learner, he used Wikipedia every day. He left much of his estate to the Wikimedia Foundation to help ensure Wikipedia’s long-term viability and benefit other lifelong learners. “Wikimedia’s philosophy, with free education for everybody, is a great ideal,” he said.

Pacha, who was 66, advanced in his profession from an entry-level job as an assembler. Hard work and a commitment to mastering new skills keyed his career, he said. He always found time to enjoy his life, and to laugh with colleagues and strangers alike. “I tend to make light of things,” he said, “and people very much appreciate that.”

To read our full tribute to Jim Pacha and see a video clip of Jim speaking in his own words, go to https://blog.wikimedia.org/2014/05/12/the-story-of-jim-pacha/

Colin A. Park*

Family and friends will remember Colin for his wonderful sense of humour, his quick wit and his ability to connect with others. He had an alert and enquiring mind and greatly valued the availability of knowledge through Wikipedia. Colin was a “seeker” and Wikipedia embodies much of what he valued including collaboration, transparency and ongoing, thoughtful self-improvement.

Karl Pfenninger

Richard Seidel*

Anonymous (2)*

* = deceased

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What is a Legacy Gift?

A Legacy Gift is a charitable donation of any amount, designated through your will or living trust. The gift does not cost you anything right now, but will be a future gift to the Wikimedia Foundation and live on in your legacy. The gift from your estate is exempt from U.S. federal estate taxes and ensures that your entire gift will support the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Who do I contact about making a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation?

Please contact Caitlin Virtue, the Wikimedia Foundation’s Development Director, at (415) 839-6885 ext. 6733 or by email at benefactorswikimedia.org. Thank you for considering helping Wikipedia thrive in the very long-term!

Library of Alexandria - Alexandria, Egypt. In the days when 500,000 papyrus scrolls could store the entire sum of human knowledge, the Egyptian city of Alexandria was the site for the world’s library.

What do I need to say in my will to make a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation?

Here is sample language that you can use in your will to make a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation:

I give, devise, and bequeath [the sum of _____ USD (or other currency) OR _____ percent of the rest and residue of my estate] to the Wikimedia Foundation (tax identification number 20-0049703), a charitable corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida, United States, currently located at 149 New Montgomery Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California, United States, to be used for its general charitable purposes at its discretion.

I already included the Wikimedia Foundation in my will. What should I do now?

Thank you very much for supporting the Wikimedia Foundation with a Legacy Gift. Please contact Caitlin Virtue to discuss how you would like to be recognized for your generous gift. You can reach Caitlin by phone at (415) 839-6885 ext. 6733 or by email at benefactorswikimedia.org.

Thank you for considering making a Legacy Gift to the Wikimedia Foundation.