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Ask HN: Why is the Wikipedia Foundation's begging tolerated?

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Ask HN: Why is the Wikipedia Foundation's begging tolerated?

#1
Every time you go to Wikipedia there's a huge banner asking for money implying it could shut down at any moment due to lack of funding.

In reality, the Wikipedia Foundation is doing just fine. In fact, they make so much money from donations, they spend (read: waste) massive amounts of it on various social ventures instead of using it on the service that caused people to donate in the first place.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the Wikipedia Foundation's begging tolerated?

#3
We would consider companies foolish if they left sales on the table, even if they didn't immediately need it. Why would non-profits be expected to not fundraise as aggressively as possible?

The expectation that non-profits should be run on fumes is silly.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the Wikipedia Foundation's begging tolerated?

#7
Very few human donors are benevolent but sharp-eyed accountants, looking for the places where their money is actually most needed. Instead, it's all about places where their donation will (1) make them feel better about themselves, (2) boost their social cred and status, and (3) benefit themselves & folks who they identify with.
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