User:WJifar (WMF)
 | This is the userpage of a user who was a member of the Wikimedia Foundation staff or served as a contractor to the Foundation. In order to maintain a historical record, it has not been deleted. However, any contact information given may be incorrect, as this user is no longer employed at the Foundation. To contact current Foundation staff, please see Category:Wikimedia Foundation staff or Staff and contractors. If you need assistance identifying the proper staff to contact about an issue, please contact answers wikimedia.org. |
About me
I have dedicated myself to the nonprofit sector starting with my first job. My first experience was working as a volunteer coordinator for youth through the AmeriCorps program. Since then I've spent the majority of my career working in philanthropy. I've had roles that have helped me serve communities both in Northern and Southern California. In addition to working in grantmaking institutions, I've also had the pleasure of working at my alma mater, Stanford University, with the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (Stanford PACS). At Stanford PACS I supported the work of students, researchers and faculty to develop and share knowledge that improved philanthropy and strengthened civil society. It was a natural transition to go from Stanford PACS to the Wikimedia Foundation in 2017 when I had the opportunity to become the Rapid Grants program officer. In 2020, I have transitioned to managing the Simple Annual Plan Grant program.
I was born and raised in Ethiopia so when I'm not at home in California you might find me visiting my nephews and nieces in my first home, Addis Ababa. In addition to traveling, I occupy my free time with lots of friends, cooking, knitting and writing poetry.
My work
I am the program officer for the Simple Annual Plan Grants program at the Wikimedia Foundation. Simple Annual Plan Grants are for supporting groups and organizations to achieve impact for the Wikimedia movement. Before becoming the program officer for the Simple Annual Plan Grants program I managed the Rapid Grants Program.
I am a member of the Community Resources team. The Community Resources team is committed to increasing the quality, quantity, diversity and reach of free knowledge by providing funding and other resources to mission-aligned organizations and people around the world.
Contact me
You can email me at wjifarwikimedia.org or at my userpage on Meta.
In addition to my email and userpage you can also reach me on the Grants pages, especially concerning the Simple Annual Plan Grants. The Simple Annual Plan Grants provide support to groups and organizations who are running activities throughout the year under one application.
If you're interested in exploring this option I encourage you to check out the Learn more section of our grant page. You can also email simplewikimedia.org if you have any questions.