There is another issue here as well that isn't being considered.
If you look at the 2010 Financial Report that lists contributors there are a few foundations that give wikimedia more than 1 million. And there are 6 that give between 100,000 and 999,999. And then even more that give other varying amounts. As well as obviously individuals.
That's money that isn't going to other non-profits and potentially non-profits that wouldn't be able to sell advertising and raise money that way. They can only rely on donations and foundation money to support their cause.
I wouldn't say greedy is the right word. But they are disadvantaging another charity simply because they like the look and feel of their community being free from advertising. Maybe selfish is a better way to put it.
If you look at the 2010 Financial Report that lists contributors there are a few foundations that give wikimedia more than 1 million. And there are 6 that give between 100,000 and 999,999. And then even more that give other varying amounts. As well as obviously individuals.
That's money that isn't going to other non-profits and potentially non-profits that wouldn't be able to sell advertising and raise money that way. They can only rely on donations and foundation money to support their cause.
https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Financial_reports#2011....
(pdf:) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common/4/48/WMF_AR11_...