# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 387
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7722 "2025-07-24T21:24:52Z")
I donate to Wikipedia every year, at the end of the year, when we do most of our charitable giving. I wasn’t sure how to answer the question. They used to mostly ask around then, but they seem to be asking now. I’ll give them money again in November. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7723 "2025-07-24T21:48:34Z")
I couldn’t tell you where my local NPR affiliate is on the dial. Never listened never will. My local PBS station is probably the best funded PBS station in the country. I’ve never donated to them. I do have a PBS subscription so whatever they get from that comes from me. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7724 "2025-07-24T22:07:32Z")
You should be aware that you’re not donating to Wikipedia, you’re donating to the Wikimedia Foundation. The Foundation runs the Wikipedia servers but has nothing to do with the content of Wikipedia, which is due solely to the efforts of the thousands of volunteer editors. The editors don’t get a dime from your contributions, and your contributions do nothing to make Wikipedia better. In fact, many editors feel that the Foundation has more money than it knows what to do with (the cost of running the servers is a small fraction of the annual donations they take in), and that they have been making some poor choices as to where to spend the money (eg. funding “editing drives” that encourage inexperienced editors to make large numbers of low quality edits, which experienced editors then have to clean up). It’s also annoying to editors that the Foundation seemingly deliberately obscures the distinction between Wikipedia and itself, leading many donors to believe that they’re donating to “Wikipedia”. > **[The Huge Fight Behind Those Pop-Up Fundraising Banners on Wikipedia](https://slate.com/technology/2022/12/wikipedia-wikimedia-foundation-donate.html)** > > For many of Wikipedia’s most dedicated contributors, this year’s proposed banner ads presented something like a moral crisis. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7725 "2025-07-25T02:23:45Z")
I had heard the complaints regarding the Wikipedia v. Wikimedia, but haven’t gotten much from any of the insiders who would know, and who post on this board. That said, no I haven’t donated on their demands, but we have donated on a few occasions when the usual criminals were attempting to buy/destroy Wikipedia anyway. Because it’s as much poking a stick in the eye of Musk and his ilk as it is a donation that may or may not be going to the worthy. Similarly, I haven’t given to NPR or PBS as a result of any _request_, but have given to PBS during the era I was watching (and enjoying the first few seasons of) [A Taste of History](https://www.pbs.org/show/taste-history/) to support a show I liked. And similar to my wiki donation, we donated to NPR after the efforts by Trump to gut it. So I voted NO for Wikipedia since it specified “when they ask” and yes for NPR/PBS since they had no such restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7726 "2025-07-25T13:06:42Z")
I’m a sustaining member of both my NPR and PBS stations. I no longer listen to NPR as much as I used to, since my commute is now up the stairs, but I still give. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7727 "2025-07-25T19:12:38Z")
Interesting…thanks. I don’t know why I specified “when they ask” in the wiki poll, I just wanted to know if anyone else ever donates. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7728 "2025-07-25T19:15:40Z")
I donated $100 to Wikipedia in 2010, and donated $100 to Mitt Romney in 2012. Those are the only Wikipedia/political donations I’ve ever made. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7729 "2025-07-25T19:21:36Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I’m a sustaining member of both my NPR and PBS stations. I no longer listen to NPR as much as I used to, since my commute is now up the stairs, but I still give. Me, too. I was a little suprised at what a large percentage of people give no charitable contributions at all. I’ve given to causes since I first started earning money. Granted, it was much small amounts when I was starting out. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7730 "2025-07-25T19:27:04Z")
I have a friend who works for Wikimedia, and he works on Wikipedia. They have programmers who, you know, maintain the infrastructure that allows anyone to read and edit Wikipedia. I’ve never before heard that it’s over-funded. My friend says he doesn’t give them money because instead, he accepts a much lower salary than he would if he worked elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7731 "2025-07-25T20:04:23Z")
I have a monthly donation set up to my local food bank. I’m thinking I might increase the amount. Other than that, I may help out random people on the street depending on circumstances at that time and place, my mood, sunspot activity, etc. I also donate to the Kurt Vonnegut Museum in Indianapolis at random times because KV’s work is near and dear to my heart. I started that a while back when they were soliciting donations to buy kids copies of _Slaughterhouse-Five_ in some area where it had been removed from the library. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7732 "2025-07-25T20:24:45Z")
Thank you for the additional information @puzzlegal, I knew one of the crew with some second hand (or first hand like some of the posters who were former editors and admins) would have more information to share! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7733 "2025-07-25T20:30:58Z")
croissants have enough money; eff 'em! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7734 "2025-07-25T20:46:36Z")
I give to the Red Cross for various disasters. I’ve occasionally given to random charities. Although I would like certain candidates to win I will not donate and be put on a list. I get too many calls now around election time. I don’t want any of them to know I’ve given money. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7735 "2025-07-25T20:54:40Z")
We aim to donate 5% of our net income. We have several friends who donate 10%. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7736 "2025-07-25T21:01:06Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Although I would like certain candidates to win I will not donate and be put on a list. I get too many calls now around election time. I don’t want any of them to know I’ve given money. I doubt i get more calls than you. I don’t give them my phone number, and i have a political-only email address that i almost never look at. (Like [Voter@puzzle.us](mailto:Voter@puzzle.us)) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7737 "2025-07-25T21:04:57Z")
I donate regularly to my local public library and animal shelter. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7738 "2025-07-25T22:51:49Z")
What category are environmental organizations in? I donate produce to the food pantry. Where does that fit? ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7739 "2025-07-26T01:33:13Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never before heard that it’s over-funded. Well, the Wikimedia Foundation’s 2024 balance sheet is on page 21 of [this document](https://wikimediafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WMF-Annual-Report-23-24.pdf). They spent $3M on hosting expenses, and took in $185M in donations and other revenue. One might expect that hosting would be the main expense, but they also spent $106M in salaries, $26M in grants, and about $40M in miscellaneous expenses. They have $287M in assets, which increased by $17M for the year. There are sometimes idealistic discussions among long-term editors about dumping the Foundation and setting up a company that just handles hosting along with the minimum staff to manage it, but that seems to be impossible since the Foundation legally owns the Wikipedia name and other IP. IMHO, if you want to support Wikipedia, do some edits rather than dumping more cash into the vast Foundation coffers. Wikipedia needs good editors far more than the Foundation needs cash. I’ve made over 38,000 edits, and I’m positive that that has helped Wikipedia far more than any amount of cash I could donate. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7740 "2025-07-26T20:01:56Z")
We (the wife and I) donate _regularly_ to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, because, well they need it. I voted for both political and neutral, though both provide services on a semi-neutral basis, but people of the conservative ilk seem to assume that they are entirely political liberals, despite the ACLU defending some truly crappy people who were nevertheless within their rights. We donate occasionally to the semi-local lizard sanctuary and local cat sanctuary. And rarely to the local cat food pantry. I also rarely bring older, but still within best buy date canned goods to the local (human) food pantry. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7741 "2025-07-26T23:10:19Z")
Keep the wayward son in the will but cut back to a annuity paying out like $100K a year. Pretty cushy if non-taxable, but she cant get her hands on all of it at once. Assuming I am correct about the “gold digger” part. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=386) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=388)