AdaAid – The Cardano Charity Hub - Digital Giving, Real Change

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Cameron Milne

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

kirkstoneinvesting@gmail.com

Additional applicants

William Edgell

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

We have decided to outsource developer hours/development for our project because it offers several significant advantages, that we have already seen by utilizing our partners:

1. Access to Expertise: By partnering with external developers, we gain access to their specialized knowledge and experience in blockchain development, user experience design and other relevant areas. Their expertise ensures that our project benefits from the best practices and industry standards, enhancing its quality and success. 
2. Scalability and Resource Availability: Outsourcing development allows us to scale the development team according to our project's needs. It ensures that we have the right resources allocated at the right time, minimizing any potential bottlenecks and ensuring timely delivery. We can tap into a wider pool of developers and find the right talent to support our project's requirements.
3. Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing development proves to be more time and cost-efficient compared to building and maintaining an in-house team. It eliminates the need for extensive recruitment, training, and infrastructure setup, saving us valuable time and financial resources. We can leverage the existing infrastructure, tools, and workflows of our outsourcing partner, streamlining the development process.
4. Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing non-core development tasks, we can focus on our organization's core competencies and strategic planning. Rather than getting involved in day-to-day development activities, we can dedicate our resources to project management, strategic decision-making, and other areas specific to our organization. This ensures a more efficient allocation of our internal resources.
5. Mitigation of Skill Gaps: Outsourcing allows us to address any skill gaps within our internal team. If we lack specific technical expertise or experience in blockchain development, partnering with external developers fills those gaps. We can leverage their skills and knowledge to ensure a higher level of competence and quality in our project implementation.
6. Risk Mitigation: Collaborating with an experienced outsourcing provider mitigates risks associated with development. They often have established development processes, quality assurance practices, and project management methodologies. This reduces the risk of project delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges, ensuring a smoother and more successful project delivery.

By outsourcing developer hours/development, we are confident that we can leverage external expertise, scale our development resources, and optimize our project delivery, ultimately leading to the successful implementation of our review system. 

Our team brings extensive expertise in full stack development, with several years of experience in building robust software solutions. Additionally, we have gained valuable experience in developing on the Cardano platform for the past year. This experience has allowed us to become familiar with Cardano's unique ecosystem, tools, and development practices. With our strong technical background and in-depth knowledge of Cardano, we are well-equipped to successfully execute this project and deliver high-quality results.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

RealFi

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG subgoals:

Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions

By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Pro-poor public social spending

Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex

Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar)

Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services

Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals

#proposertoolsdg

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The proposed solution is the AdaAid, a platform for promoting and hosting donations for Cardano's charitable projects. With an interface facilitating seamless interaction, individuals are empowered to uncover and support causes harmonizing with their altruistic inclinations. The platform enables native cryptocurrency payments, beginning with ADA, ensuring seamless and secure donations. It incorporates a vetting process and scoring system inspired by SCATDAO to evaluate charities and projects based on impact, sustainability, financial management, and governance. The hub also fosters community engagement, encourages partnerships and collaborations, and provides educational resources on philanthropy and impact measurement.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed solution addresses the challenge by creating a platform that promotes and facilitates charitable donations within the Cardano ecosystem. By providing a user-friendly interface and leveraging native cryptocurrency payments, it removes barriers to donating and encourages more people to interact with the Cardano blockchain. The vetting process and scoring system ensure transparency and trust, giving donors confidence in the impact and effectiveness of their contributions. The platform's educational resources empower donors to make informed decisions and measure the outcomes of their donations. Overall, AdaAid strengthens the ecosystem by driving adoption, fostering community engagement, and facilitating positive social impact.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Development Phase:

• On-time completion: Target to deliver the platform within the predetermined timeline.
• Budget adherence: Monitor expenditures to ensure they are within the allocated budget.
• Successful integration: Ensure a seamless incorporation of ADA for secure transactions.
• Beta testing: Conduct thorough testing and resolve all identified issues before launch.

Short-Term Phase:

• User adoption rate: Aim for a specific number of registered users within the first few months.
• Donation volume: Track the total amount of ADA donations made through the platform.
• User engagement: Measure active users, average session length, and bounce rate.
• User and charity feedback: Gather and evaluate feedback from users and charities for continuous improvement.

Long-Term Phase:

• User base growth: Set annual growth targets for the number of active users.
• Donation growth: Target a steady increase in the total amount of ADA donations year-on-year.
• Charity projects funded: Track the number of charity projects successfully funded and completed through the platform.
• Partnerships and collaborations: Aim for a specific number of partnerships or collaborations formed via the platform.
• Education impact: Measure the number of users who engage with educational resources on philanthropy and impact measurement.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

To ensure transparency, accountability, and robust community engagement, the project emphasizes effective communication and sharing of outputs and results. Key strategies include:

1. Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed reports and documentation will provide transparent insights into project progress, achieved milestones, key findings, repositories through GitHub, and outcomes.
2. Regular Updates: Frequent communications through monthly reports, Discord, Twitter, and Telegram will keep the community well-informed about significant milestones, new features, user statistics, and noteworthy developments.
3. Interactive Sessions: Engaging Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions will encourage direct community engagement, Q&As, and valuable feedback.
4. Success Stories and Use Cases: Examples highlighting real-world use cases, positive experiences, and user benefits will be shared via the project's website, blog, and social media channels etc. throughout.
5. Active Community Engagement: The project will actively encourage community participation through our channels (previously described), providing users with opportunities to share feedback, suggestions, and inquiries.
6. Collaborations and Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with other projects and organizations will extend the project's reach, leveraging shared resources and networks.
7. Open-Source Contribution: Contributions of relevant project components, tools, or code snippets to open-source repositories (such as GitHub) will foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

By implementing these strategies, the project aims to ensure transparency, foster community engagement, and effectively disseminate valuable knowledge and achievements within an inclusive and supportive environment.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our capacity to deliver projects with high levels of trust and accountability is underpinned by a combination of our robust operational measures, extensive track record, and a commitment to innovation. As an small part of the Cardano ecosystem, Kirkstone has consistently demonstrated resilience and dedication, even during challenging economic times.

One of our significant achievements, the development and implementation of the Kirkstone Rental Model (KRM), serves as a testament to our innovative approach and technical prowess. The KRM has laid a solid foundation for the majority of our front-end and back-end infrastructure, with its Cardano implementation in progress. Furthermore, our successful NFT sale, Initial Stake Pool Offering (ISPO), and token delivery have further bolstered our credibility.

Simultaneously, we prioritize and uphold trust in every project, recognizing its crucial role. To enhance this trust, we implement stringent security measures to protect user data and funds, comply with industry best practices, and perform regular security audits. Our vetting process and scoring system ensure that reputable charities and projects are featured on the platform, thereby enhancing accountability.

Moreover, transparency is a key aspect of our operations; hence, we provide regular updates, financial reports, and impact assessments. Our team comprises experienced professionals with a track record of successful project delivery. We commit to upholding the highest standards of trust and accountability throughout our projects, as seen in our work on AdaAid. Therefore, our blend of innovative techniques, diverse skill sets, and unwavering dedication underlines our capability to deliver with high trust and accountability.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Main Goals:

• Development of a decentralized platform that facilitates transparent and secure donations to charitable organizations through the Cardano blockchain.
• Integration of the platform's front-end and back-end with the Cardano blockchain to allow donation processing and creating smart contracts.
• Testing and debugging of the platform to ensure it's functioning smoothly and securely.
• On-boarding and verification of charitable organizations onto the platform to begin receiving donations.
• Marketing and outreach to increase awareness about the platform and drive user engagement.

The approach to achieving these goals involves leveraging a robust team with varied expertise in business management, software development, marketing, and financial management. A third-party development company specializing in cryptocurrency and blockchain will handle most of the Cardano integration, adding to the feasibility of this project. Furthermore, the use of widely accepted technologies like Next.js, React.js, and AWS Cognito for the platform's development will contribute to the project's feasibility. To validate if the approach is feasible, several measures will be taken:

 

• A phased approach will be used for the development, ensuring that each milestone is reached successfully before moving on to the next.
• Continuous testing will be conducted throughout the development phase to identify any issues or inefficiencies promptly.
• Feedback will be gathered from users and stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle to ensure that the platform meets their needs and expectations.
• The on-boarding of charitable organizations and the subsequent processing of donations will provide real-world evidence of the platform's functionality and usability.
• The effectiveness of marketing and outreach efforts will be measured through metrics like user engagement, platform sign-ups, and the volume of donations processed.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Planning Phase (1 month)

• Task 1.1: Project Planning and Scoping
• Task 1.2: Resource Allocation and Timeline Development

Milestone 2: Conceptualization and Design (2 months)

• Task 2.1: Conceptualization and creation of wireframes and prototypes
• Task 2.2: Detailed design layout for UI and UX

Milestone 3: Front-End Development (2 months)

• Task 3.1: Front-end development
• Task 3.2: Integration of AWS Cognito
• Task 3.3: UI testing and adjustments based on user feedback

Milestone 4: Back-end Development (2 months)

• Task 4.1: Back-end architecture design and database structure
• Task 4.2: API design and development for platform functionality

Milestone 5: Integration with Cardano Blockchain (2 months)

• Task 5.1: Development for donation processing and creating smart contracts with Cardano blockchain
• Task 5.2: Testing and debugging of the back-end
• Task 5.3: Full integration with the developed front-end

Milestone 6: Testing and Launch (1 month)

• Task 6.1: Comprehensive testing and debugging of the entire platform
• Task 6.2: Soft launch and gathering initial user feedback

Milestone 7: Outreach and Onboarding Charitable Initiatives (2 months)

• Task 7.1: Outreach and partnerships with charitable organizations
• Task 7.2: Onboarding and verification of charitable initiatives onto the platform

Total time for delivery: ~12 months

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Planning and Preparation

• Deliverables: Comprehensive project plan and preparation for platform development.
• Outputs: Project roadmap, roles and responsibilities allocation, risk management plan, stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Intended Outcomes: A clear project blueprint that defines the scope, roles, timelines, and contingencies ensuring that the project team is well-prepared for the development phase.

Milestone 2: Detailed Platform Design

• Deliverables: Fully designed user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for the platform.
• Outputs: Detailed design layout, interactive prototypes, design user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Intended Outcomes: A user-friendly, visually appealing, and intuitive platform design that ensures a seamless and engaging user experience.

Milestone 3: Front-End Development and AWS Cognito Integration

• Deliverables: Developed user interface using Next.js, React.js and Mantine, and integration of AWS Cognito for access management.
• Outputs: Built reusable React components, integrated AWS Cognito, and initial integration with the back-end structure.
• Intended Outcomes: A responsive, secure, and functional front-end that enables users to interact with the platform effortlessly and securely.

Milestone 4: Back-End Development

• Deliverables: Functional back-end with Express.js and Nest.js.
• Outputs: Complete back-end architecture design, a REST API for platform functionality.
• Intended Outcomes: A robust and scalable back-end infrastructure that supports platform operations and front-end requirements.

Milestone 5: Integration with Cardano Blockchain

• Deliverables: Back-end fully integrated with Cardano Blockchain.
• Outputs: Donation processing mechanisms, smart contracts with Cardano blockchain.
• Intended Outcomes: An effective donation processing system that interacts seamlessly with the Cardano blockchain, enhancing the platform's functionality.

Milestone 6: Testing and Adjustments

• Deliverables: Thoroughly tested platform, with adjustments made based on testing results.
• Outputs: Comprehensive testing results, feedback reports, updated and optimized platform.
• Intended Outcomes: A fully-tested, bug-free platform ready for a soft launch, ensuring a high-quality user experience.

Milestone 7: Launch, Outreach and On-boarding Charitable Initiatives

• Deliverables: A comprehensive platform ready for public use with on-boarded charitable initiatives.
• Outputs: Soft launch feedback, partnerships with charitable organizations, on-boarded and verified initiatives on the platform.
• Intended Outcomes: A live, fully operational platform with a wide range of charitable initiatives for donors to choose from, thereby fostering a vibrant, philanthropic community on the platform.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

ADA price we have assumed is $0.342298 - this is an average price of ADA since the close of Fund 9. 

Milestone 1: Planning Phase

• Task 1.1: Project Planning and Scoping: $1,000
• Task 1.2: Resource Allocation and Timeline Development: $500
• Legal costs (Initial legal consultations, contracts): $500
• Contingency costs: $500

Total for Milestone 1: $2,500 or ~7,322 ADA

Milestone 2: Conceptualization and Design

• Task 2.1: Conceptualization and creation of wireframes and prototypes: $1,000
• Task 2.2: Detailed design layout for UI and UX: $1,500
• Legal costs (Design patents, Intellectual Property): $500
• Contingency costs: $500

Total for Milestone 2: $3,500 or ~10,249 ADA

Milestone 3: Front-End Development

• Task 3.1: Front-end development: $2,500
• Task 3.2: Integration of AWS Cognito: $500
• Task 3.3: UI testing, adjustments based on user feedback, and integration with initial back-end structure: $1,000
• Contingency costs: $1,000

Total for Milestone 3: $5,000 or ~14,644 ADA

Milestone 4: Back-end Development

• Task 4.1: Back-end architecture design and database structure: $2,000
• Task 4.2: API design and development for platform functionality: $2,000
• Contingency costs: $1,000

Total for Milestone 4: $5,000 or ~14,644 ADA

Milestone 5: Integration with Cardano Blockchain

• Task 5.1: Development for donation processing and creating smart contracts with Cardano blockchain: $3,500
• Task 5.2: Testing and debugging of the back-end: $1,000
• Task 5.3: Full integration with the developed front-end: $1,000
• Legal costs (Contracts for developers, Legal counsel for data privacy and regulations): $1,000
• Contingency costs: $1,500

Total for Milestone 5: $8,000 or ~23,387 ADA

Milestone 6: Testing and Launch

• Task 6.1: Comprehensive testing and debugging of the entire platform: $2,500
• Task 6.2: Soft launch and gathering initial user feedback: $1,500
• Legal costs (Final legal checks, Ongoing legal services): $2,500
• Contingency costs: $2,500

Total for Milestone 6: $9,000 or ~26,317 ADA

Milestone 7: Outreach and On-boarding Charitable Initiatives

• Task 7.1: Outreach and partnerships with charitable organizations: $2,000
• Task 7.2: On-boarding and verification of charitable initiatives onto the platform: $1,500
• Contingency costs: $1,500

Total for Milestone 7: $5,000 or ~14,644 ADA

Overall project contingency amount: $2,000 or ~5853 ADA.

Total Budget: $40,000 or ~117,060 ADA.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the AdaAid project represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Strengthening the Ecosystem: By facilitating charitable transactions using ADA, we're promoting its use and driving demand, which may positively impact the ADA token's value.
2. Promoting Social Impact: AdaAid funds impactful, sustainable projects. By associating Cardano with these beneficial outcomes, we enhance Cardano's reputation as a blockchain platform that enables real-world change.
3. Growing the User Base: As we attract donors and charities to AdaAid, we also draw new users into the Cardano ecosystem, expanding its reach and potential for future projects.
4. Fostering Innovation: The integrated vetting process, inspired by SCATDAO, promotes transparency and accountability within the Cardano ecosystem, setting a precedent for future applications.
5. Educational Role: By offering resources on philanthropy and impact measurement, we empower users to make informed decisions, increasing their engagement within the ecosystem.

 

Given these benefits, the cost of AdaAid is an investment into the long-term growth, sustainability, and societal impact of the Cardano ecosystem, offering substantial value for money.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept