Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Voss Foundation


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was   delete. The Bushranger One ping only 00:35, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

Voss Foundation

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No independent coverage apparent on Google whatsoever (article itself cites only Foundation's own website, press releases, etc.) Don't confuse this with the "Bobby Nick Voss Foundation" or the "Matthew Voss Foundation". EEng (talk) 16:48, 29 September 2011 (UTC)


 * That's odd, here are a few that I just found that seem genuine enough:
 * 1. GMF Africa's press release (not Voss's): http://www.gmfafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/press/ADUNAGOW%20Magazine%20-%2001-09-10.pdf
 * 2. 3rd party partner (at least): http://www.virginunite.com/News/UK/Give-A-Drop/Project-Clean-Water-partners-with-the-Voss-Foundation/
 * 3. Adunagow magazine: http://www.adunagow.net/2009/?p=1335
 * 4. Milgis Trust Kenya: http://www.milgistrustkenya.com/water.html
 * 5. BusinessWire (Berkshire Hathaway): http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100622005054/en/Voss-Foundation-Helps-CHF-International-Provide-Clean   Chiswick Chap (talk) 19:18, 29 September 2011 (UTC)


 * Guess that means I'm a Keep . (see below) Chiswick Chap (talk) 19:19, 29 September 2011 (UTC)

Note: This debate has been included in the list of Organizations-related deletion discussions. — &mdash; alf.laylah.wa.laylah (talk) 21:13, 29 September 2011 (UTC)

I've numbered the items in your list:


 * 1. The entire mention of Voss Foundation reads: The Voss Foundation has sponsored a well, built by Solutions for Africa, which is a vital part of the GMF school. Thanks to Voss, there is no need for girls to walk for hours to get fresh water, allowing them more time for education and increasing their safety.
 * 2. This is a press release by Voss and its "partner". Your phrase 3rd party partner makes no sense -- a partner is by definition not a 3rd party (but rather a 2nd party, so to speak).
 * 3. Exact copy of (1) word for word.
 * 4. Webpage by a recipient of a Voss grant: The Voss Foundation is a 'water angel' for the Milgis Trust's communities bringing safe, clean and desperatly needed drinking water to the women, children and tribes of the Samburu, Rendille and Turkana people. The Milgis Trust has been incredibly lucky to have the support of the Voss Foundation for three wonderful projects so far in the remote villages of Latakwen, Swari and Ndonyo Nasipa. These water projects improve health, hygiene and living standards for all the communtiy especially the women and their families. With such support the Milgis Trust can install access to clean water at schools, medical clinics, and water kiosks within the communities. With the Voss Foundation the Milgis Trust's ground team along with the community dig deep kisimas (hand dug water wells) in the seasonal rivers, then install a solar pump and piping to transport the water to spigots in the village's infirmary, school, and a centrally-located kiosk.  To implement the project and oversee its success, the Trust in partnership with the community elects an elder and maintenance committee to oversee the well, pump, and pipeline to ensure ongoing sustainability. The Voss Foundation is dedicated to providing access to pure, clean drinking water to Sub-Saharan African communities. They help meet these needs through a unique approach, which ensures local ownership and long-term sustainability. The Milgis Trust is pleased to announce that with Voss Foundation's support another water project is to be commenced in 2011 with the support of the 'Just Around the Corner' Art Auction which was held in May 2011 in Oslo. This is the art world's contribution to fighting the water challenge in Kenya.
 * 5. Press release by Voss.

None of these is a reliable source independent of the subject (WP:N). EEng (talk) 22:47, 29 September 2011 (UTC)


 * 1) Well, we probably agree these sources are not themselves VF, but independently-existing trusts which in the cases listed explicitly state they are dependent on VF for some of their funding. Does that not in itself serve as evidence that VF has, in fact, acted as it claims by supporting them? I suppose if we're really being careful we'd also verify that Milgis Trust (etc) exists (e.g. http://www.justgiving.com/hillside-appeal).


 * 2) Let's see if we can find anything else ---
 * FindTheBest gives a bare-bones LISTING of Voss Foundation Inc, which at least shows that VF exists as a charity. non-profit-organizations.findthebest.com/detail/218102/Voss-Foundation-Inc
 * " HorseWeb is a DONOR to VF, so certainly not a dependent. http://www.horseweb.com/articles/horsenews/2011/classic_oldsalemfarmspringhorseshow_0614_patriciagriffith.htm (Old Salem Farm Foundation is another horsey donor, don't ask me why).
 * I agree this isn't much to go on - the web is full of blogs on VF, VF publicity, and VF recipients (not to mention different Voss foundations). Chiswick Chap (talk) 19:04, 2 October 2011 (UTC)

You seem to misunderstand the concepts of notable and independent as they're used on Wikipedia. I have no reason to doubt that VF exists and does fine work, but notability is not merely existence, and independence is not merely financial independence. Please read WP:N (and maybe WP:ITEXISTS and its siblings) and review the sources in that light. In the meantime, I reviewed VF's own "press coverage" list, which has scores of "articles" -- mostly press releases, blogposts, thanks from grant recipients, and statements of worthiness by donors -- but I could find just one or two that could be called independent, and in aggregate nothing even nearly significant (again, see WP:N for what that means). This is the best confirmation of the absence of significant, independent coverage one could ask for: presumably if it existed it would be listed here. But maybe I missed something. If you can find in that list (or anywhere else) sources satisfying WP:N, please list it here. EEng (talk) 21:56, 2 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Thank you. Since I haven't asserted any of the things you suggest, I believe we are pretty much in agreement. To sum up: VF is a registered charitable foundation, and does a fine charitable job. Its recipient charities confirm they are getting funding and using it to provide water. A very small number of donors mention the name VF. VF is mentioned very rarely in the press, but extensively in VF publicity. Both its notability and its verifiability are at best borderline.
 * Guess that makes me a borderline Delete. Chiswick Chap (talk) 06:26, 3 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Delete - No independent coverage of significance to establish notability. -- Whpq (talk) 17:30, 3 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Delete as failing WP:GNG. is the thing that looks like independent third party coverage, but it has similar phrasing to some of the other stuff, making me think it's not. Stuartyeates (talk) 07:57, 5 October 2011 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.