Wikimedia Begins '07 Fundraiser

The Wikimedia foundation, non-profit operator of Wikipedia and related sites, announced the start of its annual fundraiser today, News.com reports. The pledge drive, which will run through December 22, will finance general improvements to the online encyclopedia as well as a planned expansion of the site into geographic areas and languages that are currently underrepresented.

"We believe that everyone in the world should have access to education, regardless of race, nationality, gender, age or economic background," said founder Jimmy Wales. "We also believe that everyone has knowledge to contribute." Wikimedia has not announced a target for the fundraiser, but put their 2007-2008 operating budget at $4.6 million. (More Wikipedia stories.)