Answer Overview

Wikipedia makes money mainly through donations, grants and merchandise sales. The Wikimedia Foundation also runs advertising campaigns to raise funds.

Donations

Wikipedia is primarily funded by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, is a non-profit organization and relies on donations to stay afloat. Donations are used to cover the costs of running the website, maintaining servers and paying staff. Donors can also choose which project they want their money to support, such as Wikipedia or its sister projects.

Grants

The Wikimedia Foundation also applies for grants from organizations, such as the Sloan Foundation, to support its work. These grants can be used for specific projects, such as creating educational materials, or for general operating costs.

Merchandise Sales

The Wikimedia Foundation also sells merchandise, such as t-shirts, mugs and pins. These items can be purchased on the Wikimedia Foundation website and proceeds go to support the foundation’s work.

Advertising Campaigns

The Wikimedia Foundation also runs advertising campaigns to raise funds. These campaigns usually feature celebrities or popular figures and encourage people to donate to Wikipedia.

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