C.A.M.O. / The Cardano Alliance for Military Outreach - Unleashing the Potential of Cardano: Empowering Veterans with Blockchain Technology

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Andrew Garr

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

sempercamo@outlook.com

Additional applicants

None

[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?

No

[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.” .

No dependencies.

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

No

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

CAMO, as an outreach organization, will actively seek out and utilize all meaningful applications to effectively fulfill its mission, regardless of their source. However, given the opportunity, CAMO prioritizes open-source options, aligning with the principles of transparency and accessibility. This approach not only helps advance our cause but also promotes collaboration and innovation within the community.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Education

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The primary challenge that we at CAMO are addressing is the lack of understanding and accessibility surrounding the use case of the Cardano blockchain, particularly among veterans. Our approach is two-fold: educate and engage. We believe that the key to widespread adoption of blockchain technology lies in enlightening the unaware about its potential and demonstrating its real-world applications.

Our project will directly engage veterans, but it will also reach out to organizations and individuals interested in supporting veteran affairs. By serving as an educator and a touch point for blockchain use cases, we aim to foster a purpose-driven approach to adoption.

As we move forward, our impact will be demonstrated through an increase in the awareness and understanding of the Cardano blockchain. We will also track the number of veterans and organizations we manage to engage and bring into the Cardano ecosystem.

What makes our solution unique is that we are leveraging the power of an advanced blockchain, Cardano, to empower a specific demographic - veterans - who are often overlooked in technological advances. This initiative is particularly significant for Cardano as it will showcase its potential in addressing real-world issues, thus reinforcing its position as a leading blockchain platform. Veterans stand to benefit from the opportunities within Cardano's ecosystem, and the general population will be able to see the practical applications of blockchain technology, fostering greater acceptance and utilization.

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

CAMO brings value to the Cardano ecosystem beyond funding the team in the following ways:

• Awareness and Education: CAMO's outreach and engagement efforts will increase awareness and understanding of the Cardano blockchain among veterans, organizations, and the general population. This will contribute to a larger user base and promote adoption of Cardano's technology.
• Use Case Demonstration: By showcasing the practical applications of Cardano in addressing real-world issues faced by veterans, CAMO reinforces Cardano's position as a leading blockchain platform. It demonstrates the platform's potential and attracts more users and supporters.
• Community Growth: CAMO's direct engagement with veterans and collaboration with organizations supporting veteran affairs will bring new participants into the Cardano ecosystem. This will strengthen the community and expand the network of users, developers, and advocates.

While it is challenging to provide precise quantitative measurements, the impact of the CAMO project can be measured by tracking the increase in awareness and understanding of Cardano among veterans and the general population. Additionally, the initiatives success can be evaluated by the number of veterans and organizations engaged and brought into the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Measuring the success of a program can be challenging, but there are several ways to assess the impact of CAMO's initiatives:

• User Engagement:
• W.ADA onboarding mobile application and Discover Cardano onboarding web application: Monitoring the number of unique visitors to each application, particularly during the dates when CAMO attends conferences, can provide insights into outreach and onboarding success.
• Physical Onboarding Packages:
• Proof Of Onboarding (P.O.O.) and Game Changer Gift Wallet creation: By tracking the number of gift wallets created from those distributed during conferences and fundraising events, CAMO can gauge the effectiveness of physical onboarding packages.
• Audience Growth:
• Utilizing CRM software, mailing lists, newsletters, and social media platforms: Monitoring the growth of CAMO's CRM database, mailing lists, newsletter subscriptions, and social media following can provide valuable data on the impact of conference attendance and fundraising events.
• Donations:
• As CAMO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the amount of donations received during sponsored fundraising events and conference attendance serves as a strong indicator of people's belief in CAMO's mission and efforts.
• Testimonials:
• Proof of Work: Collecting written or video testimonials from veterans or organizations supported by CAMO can serve as compelling evidence of the project's positive impact.

By utilizing these metrics, CAMO can assess its outreach, onboarding success, community engagement, and overall effectiveness in achieving its goals.

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

CAMO will update its progress through various channels, including:

• Social media: Regular updates on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep the community informed about their activities.
• Monthly newsletters: Sending out newsletters to subscribers, summarizing the progress, milestones, and upcoming events.
• Website news feeds: Publishing news articles and blog posts on their website to provide detailed information about their initiatives and achievements.
• Podcasts and Twitter spaces: Hosting podcasts and participating in Twitter spaces to engage with the community, share insights, and discuss relevant topics related to their work.
• Media interviews: Collaborating with media sources within and outside the Cardano community to reach a broader audience and increase awareness about CAMO's mission and impact.

By utilizing these channels, CAMO can effectively communicate its progress and engage with stakeholders in a comprehensive and accessible manner.

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

Our capabilities to deliver this initiative with high trust and accountability are exceptionally strong. Over the past eighteen months, the founders of CAMO have been committed to achieving CAMO's mission: fostering purpose, community, and opportunity for veterans. They've invested their skills, time, and resources into mentoring and educating numerous veterans.

While CAMO could potentially sustain operations without incorporation, doing so does not afford a transparent and legally enforceable level of auditability. Through our plan to establish CAMO as a 501c3, we open the door to solicit and accept funding from diverse sources, both within and beyond the Cardano community. Furthermore, this allows us to generate revenue through ownership of a revenue-producing asset (WMT Earth Node), enabling CAMO to budget for a base level of operation outside of Project Catalyst funding.

The remaining members of our Board of Directors were handpicked based on their expertise in founding non-profit organizations and their sustained commitment to supporting CAMO's mission. In short, our readiness to deliver this project with high trust and accountability is paramount.

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

1. Educate the uninformed: One of the primary goals is to educate those who are uninformed about the capabilities and potential of the Cardano blockchain. This might include understanding the fundamentals of blockchain technology, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi), and how these can be used in various sectors, including for the benefit of veterans.
2. Provide a use case for existing products: CAMO's existence and operations provide a practical demonstration of the utility of existing products within the Cardano ecosystem. These could be existing applications, protocols, or other tools built on the Cardano blockchain.
3. Support developing products: As a user and supporter of developing products, CAMO aims to foster the development and advancement of new products and services within the Cardano ecosystem. This can be done through fundraising and other initiatives.
4. Promote purpose through opportunity: By leveraging the Cardano blockchain for military/veteran support, CAMO is showcasing how technology can be used to advance meaningful and purpose-driven initiatives.

[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 - November 2023

• Legal and Accounting consultation
• Identify and choose a legal firm that handles the incorporation of CAMO.
• File 501c3 non-profit paperwork.
• Creation of CAMO Earth Node LLC, to be wholly owned by the CAMO 501c3 
• Setup all necessary financial accounts as advised by the accounting/tax service.

Milestone 2 - November 2023

• Codify Board of Director roles & responsibilities
• Creation of by-laws

Milestone 3 - November 2023

• Pay (full budgeted amount) ThymeStudios LLC to begin work on the CAMO branding package
• Pay (half budgeted amount) Abenante Consulting LLC as CAMO’s Project Development Coordinator

Milestone 4 - November 2023

• Attend Cardano Summit Dubai 2023
• Attend VETCON 2023, Albany NY

Milestone 5 - December 2023

• Register with local military bases to present CAMO at TAP (Transition Assistance Program) classes.
• Coordinate with DeFi Philly & NFT Philly to schedule and host CAMO’s first fundraising event.

Milestone 6 - January 2024

• Initial support payment (half of budgeted amount) - W.ADA onboarding mobile application
• Initial support payment (half of budgeted amount) - Discover Cardano onboarding web application
• Initial support payment (half of budgeted amount) - The Alexandria Project

Milestone 7 - February 2024

• Network with Cardano Marketplaces and NFT projects to:
• Integrate CAMO into project websites to spread awareness
• Create limited series CAMO branded art NFTs, to be used as CAMO supporter rewards, and to spread awareness. 
• Begin development of an opportunities board for CAMO’s website.
• Onboard and integrate (if possible) existing Cardano educational projects into CAMO’s suite of tools.

Milestone 8 - February 2024

• Purchase WMT Earth Node and Equipment

Milestone 9 - March 2024

• Attend VETSINTECH Virtual Conference
• If they host a live event in San Francisco CA, attempt to attend.
• Pay (remaining half budgeted amount) Abenante Consulting LLC as CAMO’s Project Development Coordinator

Milestone 10 - May 2024

• Attend Consensus 2024, Austin TX

Milestone 11 - August 2024

• Attend NFTxLV
• Create a CAMO presentation
• If possible, purchase a booth
• Continue outreach to military bases in the U.S. to present at TAP classes
• Coordinate with the regional Board of Directors to attend

Milestone 12 - September 2024

• Attend RareEvo
• Create a CAMO presentation
• If possible, purchase a booth

Milestone 13 - November 2024

• Finalize stated support for product development initiatives and make final payment.

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

The milestones in the previous section are broad indicators of our goals, but please note, our outreach efforts will be continuous and not tied directly to these objectives. Additionally, through networking and collaboration, unforeseen opportunities may arise, necessitating some degree of adaptability on our part. As a reflection of CAMO's unique character as a product integrator rather than a product itself, our outputs, deliverables, and milestone outcomes may deviate from the conventional.

CAMO, at its core, is committed to three main objectives:

1. Establish a sustainable 501c3 veterans non-profit organization.
2. Regularly participate in conferences and fundraising events to expand CAMO's network and influence.
3. Continually update our community and stakeholders on the progress and success of our outreach initiatives and product development efforts.

We believe that achieving these goals would mark significant progress in our mission to support veterans and facilitate their participation in the Cardano ecosystem.

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

501c3 & Subsidiary LLC Incorporation & Business Tools/Branding

Legal Consultation: $5,000 - 17,300 ADA

Legal Paperwork: $1,200 - 4,200 ADA

Accounting: $2,000 - 6,900 ADA

• CoinFlask

Donor / Volunteer Management Software: $1,200/yr - 4,200 ADA

Mailing List Software: $1,200/yr - 4,200 ADA

Branding / Website: $3,500 - $11,500

• Thyme Studios LLC / Alexa Thyme

WMT Earth Node Purchase: $29,000 - 100,000 ADA

Equipment & Operating Costs: $6,000 - 20,700 ADA

Executive Director Salary: $15,000 - 51,800 ADA

• Andrew Garr

Project Development Coordinator Salary: $5,000 - 17,300 ADA

• Abenante Consulting LLC / Ryan Abenante

Reserve Funds for Miscellaneous Contract Work: $5,000 - 17,300 ADA

Events, Opportunities, Travel & Marketing Materials

Scheduled Events & Travel: $9,000 - 31,100 ADA

Unscheduled Events, Opportunities & Travel: $3,000 - 10,400 ADA

Marketing Materials

• Pamphlets, prints, copper seed safes: $9,000 - 31,100 ADA

NOTES:

1. All ADA values rounded up to nearest hundredth.
2. As a general rule, cost was overestimated due to the price volatility of ADA.
3. After the 501c3 determination, CAMO will be able to register for several free or low cost software packages designed for non-profit organizations.
4. Surplus funds will accumulate until CAMO has enough to purchase a WMT Earth Node.

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

We view every expenditure as an investment in our mission to support veterans, facilitate their integration into the blockchain ecosystem, and drive educational initiatives. By leveraging the current general price of ADA (0.29), we have conducted thorough research and evaluation of all necessary operating costs as a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our financial strategy is rooted in obtaining fair market value for all procured goods and services, allowing us to maintain optimal operational efficiency. Our approach is pragmatic and ambitious, as we strive to secure cost-effective deals without compromising on quality. We are fully aware of the significance of our mission, and each financial decision we make is aimed at establishing a sustainable non-profit organization. Our aspiration is to see CAMO flourish and create a lasting impact long after our tenure.

[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