What is the Wikimedia Foundation and how is it related to Wikipedia?

The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as the parent organization of various collaborative projects, the most well-known of which is Wikipedia. Founded in 2003 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, the foundation is dedicated to providing free access to educational content across the globe. It supports not only Wikipedia but also other projects such as Wikimedia Commons, which is a media repository, and Wikidata, a free knowledge base that provides structured data to support Wikipedia articles and other Wikimedia projects. Wikipedia, specifically, is an online encyclopedia that allows users to create, edit, and update articles on a wide range of topics. It operates under the principle of open collaboration, meaning that anyone with internet access can contribute to its content. The Wikimedia Foundation provides the necessary infrastructure, technology, and resources to sustain Wikipedia and ensure its accessibility to people around the world. The relationship between the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikipedia is foundational, as the foundation oversees the legal and operational aspects that enable Wikipedia to function effectively. This includes the management of servers, legal support, software development, and fundraising activities aimed at keeping Wikipedia free of charge. The foundation's commitment to the principles of free knowledge and a neutral point of view guides its policies and priorities, ensuring that Wikipedia remains a reliable and impartial source of information. In summary, the Wikimedia Foundation plays a crucial role in sustaining and promoting Wikipedia and its sister projects. By fostering an environment where users can freely share knowledge, the foundation contributes significantly to the global dissemination of information and educational resources. For more detailed information about the foundation, it is advisable to refer to its official website.