The Wikimedia Foundation has attracted 10,000 fundraising contributors in nine days.

The foundation's annual fundraiser supports the nonprofit organization that runs Wikipedia. The group announced Thursday that its 10,000th donation came from someone in Finland who donated 10 Euros. The total amount raised was not disclosed.

"Wikipedians are found in all corners of the globe -- in every nation, in every age group, and in every neighborhood," Florence Nibart-Devouard, chair of the Wikimedia Foundation's Board of Trustees, said in a statement.

Nibart-Devouard said that the participation levels reflect Wikipedia's "broad appeal" and the excitement the Foundation's projects have generated.

"This year's fundraiser will enable us to continue improving Wikipedia, as well as to develop programs geared at spreading free information to disadvantaged and underserved communities worldwide," she said.

The fundraiser, which began Oct. 22 and continues until December 22, is held to support Wikipedia's online encyclopedia and the Foundation's other projects. Although users contribute material for free, the Foundation employs people to edit, monitor, and run the online encyclopedia, as well as other operations.

Funds raised this year will help support programs that encourage the development of smaller-language Wikipedias, like the Wikipedia Academies occurring in Africa on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11. The Academies teach students, scholars, and community members how to edit Wikipedia. The Foundation hopes the work will help preserve endangered or lesser-known languages and record cultural knowledge for future generations.

Most of the Foundation's revenue comes from private individuals, and donations average around $25. The Foundation also encourages volunteer support by posting photos to the "Why Do You Love Wikipedia" Flickr group or by placing "Support Wikipedia" buttons, or banners, on private Web sites and blogs.