Mission

Wikimedia New York City brings New York together to share in a richer and more representative free knowledge ecosystem

Vision

Wikimedia NYC is committed to the vision of a Wikipedia as democratic and diverse as the New York City Subway. We seek to join with our city's cultural, educational, and community organizations in expanding access to free knowledge.

Our Story

Wikimedia New York City (WMNYC) is the official Wikimedia chapter serving the New York metropolitan area. Founded in 2009, the organization began as a grassroots community of Wikipedians, librarians, educators, technologists, artists, and advocates committed to expanding access to free knowledge. Since then, WMNYC has grown into one of the leading Wikimedia affiliates in the United States, partnering with cultural institutions, universities, libraries, and community organizations to make knowledge more accurate, inclusive, and accessible.

Today, WMNYC hosts edit-a-thons, educational workshops, community meetups, and public programs that empower people of all backgrounds to contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects while helping ensure that the stories of New York's diverse communities are represented online.

“Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge.”

— Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder

History

Wikimedia New York City began as a grassroots community of Wikipedians, information professionals, and activists committed to connecting the peoples and institutions of the New York Metropolitan area with Wikipedia and the larger free-culture movement. Wikimedia NYC was recognized as an official chapter in 2009 with its members distinguishing themselves through their commitment to the larger free-culture movement and the recognition that Wikipedia exists as part of a greater information ecosystem. The realization of this early vision for the Chapter is evidenced in its partnerships, its edit-a-thons and monthly meetups, and its role in the early development and growth of projects such as AfroCROWD, Art + Feminism, "Wiki Loves …" initiatives, and other catalyzing, replicable, global efforts growing from a diverse local context.

Timeline

2009

Founded: Wikimedia New York City is officially recognized as a Wikimedia chapter, serving the New York metropolitan area.

2011–Present

Established partnerships: with museums, libraries, archives, universities, and cultural organizations through edit-a-thons, public programming, and educational initiatives.

2018

Growing Community: Wikipedia Day NYC grows into a flagship annual celebration bringing together editors, educators, and the public.

2024

Expanded community programming: including collaborations with institutions to improve representation across Wikimedia projects.

2025

Launched the Wikimedia NYC 400: An initiative celebrating New York City's 400th anniversary by identifying underrepresented neighborhoods and notable New Yorkers for Wikipedia coverage. More than 1,000 public nominations were received with support from leading cultural institutions.

Hosted WikiConference North America: Hosted in New York City, welcoming Wikimedians from across the continent to collaborate, learn, and strengthen the movement.

Partnerships: Partnered with CUNY to launch a Wikimedian-in-Residence program, expanding access to academic research and increasing public participation in free knowledge.

2026

Wikipedia Turns 25: Hosts Wikipedia Day NYC, celebrating 25 years of free knowledge with keynote speakers, workshops, edit-a-thons, and community programming.

Who we are

Leadership & Staff

  • Pacita Rudder

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Coming Soon!

    MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS MANAGER

  • Dr. Amy Carleton

    NORTH AMERICAN HUB PROGRAMS MANAGER

Board Members

  • Richard Knipel ("Pharos")

    PRESIDENT

  • Bob Kosovsky

    TREASURER

  • David Hecht

    SECRETARY

  • Molly Stark Dean

    DIRECTOR

  • Abbad Diraneyya

    DIRECTOR

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • Wikimedia New York City (WMNYC) is the regional Wikimedia affiliate serving the New York metropolitan area. We bring people together through events, education, and partnerships to improve Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects while making knowledge more accessible, representative, and freely available.

  • WMNYC is an independent nonprofit affiliate of the Wikimedia movement. While we support and contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, we operate locally to build community, host events, and develop partnerships throughout New York City.

  • Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. Wikimedia is the broader movement and ecosystem that supports Wikipedia along with projects such as Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, Wikisource, and Wiktionary.

Getting involved

  • Not at all. Many of our events are designed specifically for beginners. Volunteers are available to help you create an account, learn editing basics, and make your first contribution.

  • Attend an event, participate in an edit-a-thon, volunteer, become a member, or partner with us on a community project.

  • Yes. Most WMNYC events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise noted.

  • Membership information and eligibility can be found on our Membership page. Members help shape the future of Wikimedia NYC and support our mission.

  • Creating a free Wikipedia account is recommended for editing and participating in many workshops, but you're welcome to attend events and learn without one. However, to get an account started, you can do that here.

  • In addition to Wikipedia, you can contribute to Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, Wikisource, Wiktionary, and many other free knowledge projects.

Programs & Partnerships

  • An edit-a-thon is a collaborative event where participants improve or create Wikipedia articles around a specific topic, community, or theme.

  • We collaborate with libraries, museums, universities, archives, cultural organizations, nonprofits, and community groups throughout the New York metropolitan area.

  • Absolutely. We welcome partnerships that align with our mission of expanding access to free knowledge through education, outreach, and community engagement.

Donations & Support

  • Yes. Wikimedia NYC is a nonprofit organization and an official Wikimedia affiliate.

  • You can support our work by volunteering, becoming a member, attending events, making a donation, or partnering with us.

Contact

  • Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on social media, or visit our Events page to see upcoming programs and community gatherings.

  • Visit our Contact page or email our team. We'd love to hear from you!