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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Web Foundation’s mission?
What is the Web Foundation’s vision?
Will the Web Foundation support SMS and other non-Web-based technologies?
Who is involved?
Why did the Web Foundation emerge from W3C and WST and why now?
How will the Foundation relate to W3C and WST?
Where is the Web Foundation located and is it tax-exempt?
How can I or my organization get involved?
How will the Web Foundation raise funds?
Will the World Wide Web Foundation issue Trust certificates?
Is this organization related to the Open Web Foundation?
What is the Web Foundation’s mission?
The World Wide Web Foundation harnesses the transformative power of the open Web to enable new forms of collective action, democratic participation and value creation that overcome inequalities of wealth, gender and location. We seek to establish the co-created open Web as a global public good and a basic right, ensuring that everyone can access and use it freely.
What is the Web Foundation’s vision?
We envision a world where all people can speak, listen, learn, innovate and collaborate across the divides that threaten our shared future by accessing and using the co-created open Web – one that enables all people to participate in building a better, more balanced and equitable world.
The creativity of the billions of new Web users will be unleashed. The Web’s capabilities will multiply, and play an increasingly vital role in reducing poverty and conflict, improving healthcare and education, spreading good governance and addressing other major challenges, local and global.
Will the Web Foundation support SMS and other non-Web-based technologies?
There are many ways to deliver Web content to people including through browsers and non-browser channels. As of today, the only ubiquitous technologies available via all mobile phones are SMS and voice. Therefore, it is important to consider these channels, along with Web-based channels, in order to have an impact on people’s lives in the short term. The main focus will be on the integrated set of technologies that people and communities themselves deem to be most relevant and useful in accessing and creating information and services.
Who is involved?
The Web Foundation was founded by Web inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, and is led by CEO, Anne Jellema, who assumed the role in May of 2012. The work of the Web Foundation is supported by a Swiss and US Board, international staff, and a number of individuals and organizations who have generously contributed their time and effort.
Why did the Web Foundation emerge from W3C and WST and why now?
The work of W3C and WST has been vital towards realizing the vision of the Web as humanity connected. However, despite the tremendous growth of the Web in the past twenty years, it became apparent that there was no organization positioned to address the full scope of challenges preventing all people from leveraging the Web as a tool for empowerment. For this reason, Tim Berners-Lee together with Steve Bratt and others – many of which were from W3C and WST – set out to create the World Wide Web Foundation.
How will the Foundation relate to W3C and WSRI?
W3C and WSRI remain independent organizations. It is within the scope of the Web Foundation to support the missions of both WST and W3C. The “umbrella” mission of the World Wide Web Foundation will build synergies between Web Science and Web Standards, and work to leverage the talents and results of the W3C and WST communities to ensure that the Web serves all people on the planet.
Tim Berners-Lee remains actively involved as Director among all three organizations: W3C, WST, and the Web Foundation.
Where is the Web Foundation located and is it tax-exempt?
The headquarters of the Web Foundation is in Geneva, Switzerland where it has been registered as a public charity with tax-exempt status. The Web Foundation is also incorporated in the United States as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) as determined by the IRS.
How can I or my organization get involved?
We are now starting to build a global community of passionate individuals and organizations who realize the potential and importance of the Web in addressing major challenges. This community will bring together those who want to volunteer, share their ideas, and give money to help make our vision a reality.
Head over to the Get Involved section to find out more.
How will the Web Foundation raise funds?
Unlike many other foundations, the Web Foundation did not start with funds from its founders. Instead, we are relying on the collective generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations from around the world who understand the importance and potential of the Web to empower people’s lives and address global challenges. Whether you can give $10 or $10 million, every dollar makes a difference.
Donations can be made online or by mail. Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about joining our Partners Network, please contact our Development Associate, Craig Heintzman at craig@webfoundation.org.
Will the World Wide Web Foundation issue Trust certificates?
No. Some labelling systems do exist, but Web Trust is a major research area. Some academic work and business initiatives are studying and exploring trust mechanisms.
Is this organization related to the Open Web Foundation?
No.
