Actually, Wikipedia doesn't have to ask for donations to the extent that they do:

https://unherd.com/thepost/the-next-time-wikipedia-asks-for-a-donation-ignore-it/

Someone on lemmygrad.ml posted this as a comment, for users of instances that block it:

wikipedia itself is more than fine, they just spend a ton of money on other projects thats what the donation drives are mostly funding (most of which suck tbh). Another org that does just fine funding itself through donation is the Organization for Transformative Works (i.e archiveofourown.org)

(if someone could repost this that's not on an instance blocked by sopuli that would be much appreciated)

Might awant to research that a bit more, Wikipedia has enough money and almost has always had more than enough, those pleading messages just more so ensure the (far) future of Wikipedia continues

wikipedia itself is more than fine, they just spend a ton of money on other projects thats what the donation drives are mostly funding (most of which suck tbh). Another org that does just fine funding itself through donation is the Organization for Transformative Works (i.e archiveofourown.org)

(if someone could repost this that's not on an instance blocked by sopuli that would be much appreciated)

what do you suggest, robbing a bank? if you want something, you have to pay for it, that is how world works.