Rapid Fund updates (2022)[edit]

We are pleased to announce changes to the Rapid Funds program relating to funding timelines, grant limits and the application process. The changes align and support the continued realization of the new Wikimedia Foundation funding strategy and its focus on enabling decentralized decision-making, regional committees and reaching underrepresented communities. We continue to believe that the changes will address community needs and move us towards the realization of the 2030 strategic direction.

Why the Changes[edit]

We have seen growth of the Rapid Fund welcoming new countries and new contributors to the movement and resourcing existing and new initiatives. We want to continue supporting the program and the coordination and collaboration within communities. We have taken into account the existing capacity, available resources and the purpose of Rapid Funds to provide ease and fast access to funds.

What is Changing[edit]

We are introducing the following changes;

Timelines:
- We are increasing the timeline cycle from 30 days to a 45-day cycle. Please see the timelines for the rest of the calendar year.
Grant limits:
- Individuals limited to 2 open grants at any given time. The total grant value accessible annually, in the given fiscal year, will be up to USD 10,000, encouraging applicants to move into longer term planning in the General Support Fund program when more resources are needed.
- Organizations including affiliates and informally organized groups will be limited to 3 open grants at any given time. The total grant value an organization and groups can access annually will be up to USD 10,000. We encourage applicants to move into longer term planning in the General Support Fund where more resources are needed. This also applies to informal groups whose members apply for Rapid Funds as individuals (Wiki Fan Clubs, University clubs, planned User Groups, etc.)

Revised application and reporting form will be used on the Fluxx Grantee portal,
- The grant management system that is currently being used in the other funding programs. Applicants will still engage with Community members on meta as all applications will automatically be published on Meta. Applications made from the 15th of April will be made on through Fluxx, until then applicants will continue using the current application process on Meta.
Community Engagement:
- We will be providing guidance to community members on how provide meaningful feedback to applicants proposals by asking specific questions on the discussion pages that relate to:
  - Project impact
  - Alignment of Impact vs resources requested
  - New project development ideas
  - Capacity to implement projects

Our aim is to strengthen the current process of giving endorsements to projects proposed.

Regional Committees will support the reviewing process of the grant proposals providing constructive and contextualized feedback to strengthen the proposal and highlight opportunities for collaboration and coordination amongst community members.
Program officers will support proactive efforts encouraging goal aligned grantees to collaborate with each other on projects and for affiliates and experienced Wikimedians to support newcomers to the extent possible.
Applicants will need to share the reports of their funded activities with the participants and community members creating an opportunity to share learnings with others and for community members to share their feedback.

How will the changes be made[edit]

All the changes mentioned will take effect from the 15th of April 2022. Please note that these changes do not impact anyone with an ongoing grant.

We will have several office hours (see below) to introduce the changes to the communities and support the transition. The new Let’s Connect Peer Learning Program will also have learning sessions to support grantees on various capacity based needs.

We have attached here the new application for you to begin to review.

We have also attached here tutorials about the Fluxx registration and portal.

We understand that all these changes can feel overwhelming. We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to reach out to the regional program officer or attend one of the planned office hours.

We thank you again for your collaboration as we continue to implement the grants strategy, learn and iterate informed by the feedback you share with us.

Thank you.

Timeline[edit]

April-May[edit]

Cycle 1: April 15th – May 31st
Dates for Rapid Funds	Activity	Estimated time
April 15th 2022	Submission deadline of applications
April 16 – 29th 2022	Review and feedback of proposals	14 days
April 30th – May 9th	Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal from the community and regional committee	10 days
April 30th – May 9th	Applicant makes adjustments to their proposal where needed	10 days
May 10th – May 24th	Approvals and disbursement	14 days

June-July[edit]

Cycle 2: 1st June – July 15th
Dates for Rapid Funds	Activity	Estimated time
June 1st 2022	Submission deadline of applications
June 2nd – 15th 2022	Review and feedback of proposals	14 days
June 16th – 25th	Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal from the community and regional committee	10 days
June 16th – 25th	Applicant makes adjustments to their proposal where needed	10 days
June 26th – July 10th	Approvals and disbursement	14 days

July-August[edit]

Cycle 3: July 15th – August 31st
Dates for Rapid Funds	Activity	Estimated time
July 15th 2022	Submission deadline of applications
July 16th – 29th 2022	Review and feedback of proposals	14 days
July 30th – 8th Aug	Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal from the community and regional committee	10 days
July 30th – 8th Aug	Applicant makes adjustments to their proposal where needed	10 days
9th Aug – 22nd Aug	Approvals and disbursement	14 days

September-October[edit]

Cycle 4: 1st September – October 15th
Dates for Rapid Funds	Activity	Estimated time
1st September	Submission deadline of applications
2nd – 15th September	Review and feedback of proposals	14 days
16th – 25th September	Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal from the community and regional committee	10 days
16th – 25th September	Applicant makes adjustments to their proposal where needed	10 days
26th September – 10th October	Approvals and disbursement	14 days

October-November[edit]

Cycle 5 : October 15th – November 30th
Dates for Rapid Funds	Activity	Estimated time
October 15th	Submission deadline of applications
October 16th-29th	Review and feedback of proposals	14 days
October 30th – 8th November	Applicant receives and engages with feedback of proposal from the community and regional committee	10 days
October 30th – 8th November	Applicant makes adjustments to their proposal where needed	10 days
9th November – 22nd November	Approvals and disbursement	14 days

Conversation hours[edit]

Office Hours
Date	Time	Language	Topic	Grantee Partner Type	Link to meeting
March 30th 2022	3p.m - 4p.m UTC	English & French	Changes in Rapid Funds	Rapid Fund Grantee	Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 874 6899 4589 Passcode: 454018
April 6th 2022	3p.m – 4 p.m UTC	English & French	Changes in Rapid Funds	Rapid Fund Grantee	Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 874 6899 4589 Passcode: 454018
April 13th 2022	3p.m – 4 p.m UTC	English & French	Changes in Rapid Funds	Rapid Fund Grantee	Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 874 6899 4589 Passcode: 454018