Summary
Building on our longstanding collaboration, we are proposing to run a Quadratic Funding (QF) round sponsored (or co-sponsored) by ShapeShift DAO, while supporting ShapeShift with a unique co-marketing opportunity. This initiative aims to strengthen our shared commitment to open-source public goods and highlights ShapeShift’s continued leadership in decentralization and ecosystem empowerment. In the case of a solo-sponsored round, this proposal offers ShapeShift a unique and streamlined way to allocate funding to projects within its ecosystem.
If you are not familiar with QF, you can learn more about it here.
Abstract
Giveth is a leading donation platform in web3 for transparent, community-driven public goods funding. This proposal invites ShapeShift DAO to sponsor or co-sponsor an upcoming QF round on Giveth. The round would highlight ShapeShift’s ongoing commitment to public goods and offer an opportunity to engage the broader Web3 community through transparent, community-driven giving. With over 4,000 verified projects, 22,000+ donors, and deep expertise in round management, Giveth is well positioned to deliver a high-impact campaign aligned with ShapeShift’s mission.
This proposal is rooted in our ongoing relationship. ShapeShift was the sponsor of Giveth’s first QF round, and FOX is already supported as a donation token on Gnosis Chain and ETH Mainnet. We’ve also collaborated on initiatives like the RegenFarm, supporting FOX in offering liquidity incentives via streaming rewards, and we currently maintain active liquidity in a GIV/FOX pair on Mainnet.
This proposal has two options, where ShapeShift DAO can choose between a full sponsorship or co-sponsorship model:
- In a full sponsorship (minimum $53.5k USD equivalent), ShapeShift sets the terms of the round, including the dates, projects, matching token (e.g. FOX), and distribution chain. Giveth runs the round for whatever they choose, complete with marketing, project curation, and sybil protection.
- In a co-sponsorship (minimum $2000 USD equivalent), ShapeShift contributes to the matching pool alongside other partners to fund public goods projects. The round parameters, projects and dates are selected by Giveth’s internal team, and sponsors still benefit from co-marketing, ecosystem engagement, and FOX token visibility.
Motivation
This round offers ShapeShift DAO an opportunity to deepen its role in funding public goods. It builds on our past collaborations, but more importantly, it creates new strategic value by:
- Reinforcing ShapeShift’s position as a values-driven leader in public goods support
- Strategic co-marketing across web3 native platforms
- Funding open-source and community nominated projects
- Drive meaningful engagement with ShapeShift’s current and future community.
Specification
Giveth will run a QF round using its platform infrastructure, using ShapeShift DAO visuals and branding. FOX will be included as a donation token option on Gnosis Chain and Ethereum Mainnet, and in the case of a solo-sponsored round, can be used as the matching pool currency (according to ShapeShift’s preferences).
If ShapeShift opts in for a full “solo” sponsorship (minimum $50k USD equivalent), ShapeShift sets the terms of the round, including the dates, projects, matching token (e.g. FOX), and distribution chain. Giveth runs the round for whatever they choose, complete with marketing, project curation, and sybil protection.
If ShapeShift opts for a co-sponsorship (minimum $2000 USD equivalent), ShapeShift contributes to the matching pool alongside other partners to fund public goods projects. The round parameters, projects and dates are selected by Giveth’s internal team, and sponsors still benefit from co-marketing, ecosystem engagement, and FOX token visibility. FOX may be included as the sole or one of the matching pool tokens, depending on contribution size.
The full details of each sponsorship tier and Giveth deliverables can be found here.
Giveth Deliverables:
- Round hosting (technical + operational)
- Matching fund processing & distribution
- Co-marketing (newsletters, threads, memes, AMAs, blog posts, social media)
- Donor engagement tools and project nomination interface.
KPIs:
- Total Matching pool size: $40K+
- Number of unique donors: average of 915 per round
- Total funds raised: average of $45K per round
- Social media impressions: average of 202K per month
- Increase in new project submissions and ecosystem partnerships.
Note: For QF rounds on Giveth, a minimum of $13.5k (or 15% of the matching pool, whichever is greater) from the total sponsorships is used to fund round operations. This applies to both solo and co-sponsored rounds.
Benefits
- Showcases Public Goods Leadership: Positions ShapeShift DAO as a values-driven pioneer supporting open-source, decentralized infrastructure.
- Community-Led Allocation: Empowers the ShapeShift community and broader web3 ecosystem to guide where funds go, reinforcing alignment with grassroots needs.
- Amplified Funding Impact: QF boosts the reach of every sponsorship dollar by leveraging the matching mechanism and individual contributions.
Ecosystem Visibility & Co-Marketing: Increases FOX token exposure and strengthens ShapeShift’s brand across platforms through targeted co-marketing. - Low-Lift, High-Impact: Giveth handles all logistics—from sybil protection to storytelling—so ShapeShift can focus on community and strategy.
Drawbacks
- Budget Commitment Required: Sponsorship involves a minimum contribution of $2,000 (co-sponsorship) or ~$53.5k (solo round), which may require budgeting discussions.
- QF May Not Fit All Goals: While great for broad-based support, QF may not be the best fit for funding highly technical or narrowly focused initiatives.
- Participation Variability: Donor engagement depends on timing and messaging—strong positioning and marketing are essential to avoid fatigue or low turnout.
Vote
Should ShapeShift DAO sponsor a Quadratic Funding round with Giveth?
- For: I support this proposal as written, with either co-sponsorship or solo sponsorship.
For, with changes: I support the general idea but want to see changes (e.g. budget, timing, execution). - Against: I do not support ShapeShift DAO sponsoring a QF round with Giveth.
Preference Poll (Non-binding)
If this moves forward, which sponsorship tier do you prefer?
- Solo Sponsorship (~$53.5K) – ShapeShift defines round terms and leads the initiative.
- Co-Sponsorship (starting at $2K) – ShapeShift contributes to a shared matching pool.
- Undecided – Open to either, would like to see more discussion.
Contacts
Proposal Lead: Jake from Giveth
Email: jake@giveth.io
X: @GivJake
Telegram: @Snakeagram
Resources
Learn more about Giveth: https://giveth.io
Explore QF mechanics: https://wtfisqf.com