Page:Funding Free Knowledge the Wiki Way - Wikimedia Foundation Participatory Grantmaking.pdf/33



Committee Member Survey
Thirty-two committee members responded to a short survey. Of these, 59% had served on the IEG committee, 34% on the GAC, and 22% on the FDC". Six respondents (19%) had served on at least two committees. Three respondents listed additional committees they had served on. These were: Travel and Participation Support; Commission Micro Financement (Wikimedia FR), Community Projekt Budget (VVMDE); and Flow Funding (an experimental project temporarily conducted through the Project and Event Grants program).

The majority of respondents (69% or 22) had served on committees for one year or more, and 44% of respondents (14) had applied for, and received, funding from the Wikimedia Foundation. One of the 14 had received a grant but not applied for it, and one had applied but not received a grant.

We asked committee members: "Why is it important to you to participate in Wikimedia Grantmaking participatory grantmaking committees (also known as peer review processes)?" On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the highest), respondents rated five answers and shared additional feedback through an "Other" option. "|mprove Wikimedia projects" and "|ncrease access to information around the world" were most highly rated.

Other responses focused on learning about and participating constructively in the grantmaking side of the community experience, or on correcting perceived issues. A few examples:
 * "Learn more about what elements contribute to a strong grant proposal."
 * "Discuss innovative solutions to interesting problems or challenges."
 * "Improve impact of grants by adding community perspective."
 * "Be aware of what is going on within the Wikimedia movement."
 * "Make sure grants fund projects which are actually relevant to volunteers in the communities."
 * "Provide a different perspective on how grants are used in Africa as well as what must be considered when grantmaking in Africa."
 * "Reduce poorly justified support of vested groups."



61 Of respondents,19 were current or former mem ers of the IEG, 11 of the GAC, and 7 of the FDC.