Funding Assessment & Impact Framework

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Funding Assessment & Impact Framework

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

95000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

4

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Cardano needs independent assessment of ₳ deployed across multiple funding programs (Catalyst, BuilderDAO). Requires expert framework for impact measurement & coordination for ₳350M annual treasury

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

This project requires collaboration with existing Cardano stakeholders but has no blocking dependencies. We need access to historical funding data (minimum 2 years) from Catalyst and other funding programs to conduct proper analysis. Stakeholder introductions from Intersect committees and Catalyst team are needed to facilitate interviews and workshops with relevant parties including BuilderDAO participants, DReps, and committee members. A designated contact point within the Cardano ecosystem will help coordinate meetings and provide strategic context. Access to strategic objectives documentation and participation in relevant committee meetings ensures alignment with ecosystem priorities. These are collaborative requirements rather than technical blockers. The assessment can proceed independently while coordination activities benefit from voluntary stakeholder participation. If certain data or stakeholders are unavailable, we'll adapt our approach and note limitations in the final report.

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Our findings and recommendations will be published for the community to see

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.

Governance

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

This proposal provides independent external assessment of Cardano's entire funding landscape - analyzing Catalyst, BuilderDAO, and Intersect programs together rather than in isolation. Previous proposals focused on improving single programs; this examines coordination gaps across all funding mechanisms.

We bring cross-ecosystem experience from managing $20M+ in grants to identify what works elsewhere. The project delivers actionable frameworks and technical specifications for impact measurement and builder tracking, plus a detailed pilot design.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

The deliverables are assessment reports and framework designs that Cardano teams can implement. These include: ecosystem funding assessment analyzing all mechanisms, impact measurement framework with metrics and ROI methodologies, builder profile architecture specifications, and program design recommendations.

All documentation will be open-source: assessment findings, framework specifications, technical architecture, and roadmaps. These provide blueprints for Cardano teams to build coordination infrastructure.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Success is qualitative given the absence of current baselines. Key indicators: stakeholder interviews completed across funding programs; working group formed with participants; assessment report covering funding mechanisms with recommendations.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

This engagement provides independent assessment of Cardano's entire funding ecosystem - Catalyst, BuilderDAO, and Intersect programs. Through stakeholder interviews and documentation review, we identify coordination gaps and develop practical frameworks.

The 4-month project delivers: ecosystem funding assessment analyzing all mechanisms; impact measurement framework with metrics and ROI methodologies; builder profile architecture for tracking achievements; implementation roadmap with pilot design for projects.

We establish a working group bringing together stakeholders from different programs to sustain coordination. All deliverables are open-source, providing blueprints for teams to implement coordination infrastructure.

The approach addresses fragmentation by creating cross-program visibility, standardized metrics, and coordination protocols. This enables DReps to make informed decisions about ₳350M annual treasury allocation while reducing duplicate funding.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The project establishes coordination infrastructure benefiting all Cardano builders and funding programs. Standardized impact metrics enable fair comparison across projects, helping DReps allocate treasury resources effectively.

Builders benefit from clear achievement tracking and reduced application burden across multiple programs. The pilot with 10-20 projects creates replicable models for hundreds of future applicants.

The working group ensures ongoing coordination beyond this engagement. Open-source frameworks become community assets anyone can use and improve. This reduces ecosystem fragmentation and creates shared standards.

By preventing duplicate funding and improving capital efficiency, more projects receive support. The assessment provides evidence-based insights for strategic treasury management as Cardano scales to support thousands of builders with ₳350M annually.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & Feasibility

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

I bring direct experience managing $20M+ in grants distribution and designing funding mechanisms across multiple ecosystems. Current governance roles provide ongoing insight into treasury management approaches.

Track record includes building grant infrastructure serving thousands of builders, creating verification tools, and establishing operational standards. Previous consulting engagements delivered on-time with measurable results.

Feasibility validation occurs through stakeholder engagement - interviews and workshops ensure recommendations align with Cardano's reality. The pilot program tests frameworks with real projects before broader implementation. Bi-weekly updates maintain transparency and allow course correction.

Risk mitigation includes flexible scope to adapt if data access is limited, multiple stakeholder touchpoints to ensure buy-in, and phased delivery allowing early value demonstration. The working group structure ensures knowledge transfer and sustainability beyond the engagement period.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Foundation & Assessment

Milestone Outputs

Ecosystem funding assessment report analyzing Project Catalyst, BuilderDAO, and Intersect committee funding mechanisms. Document includes stakeholder mapping identifying key decision-makers and participants across all programs.

Current state analysis of Fund 13/14 outcomes, voting mechanisms, and treasury allocation patterns. Working group formation with representatives from each funding program.

Interview notes from stakeholder sessions. Gap analysis identifying coordination challenges between programs. Goal alignment document confirming objectives with committees and DReps. Process documentation of existing funding workflows, decision criteria, and governance structures. Initial recommendations for coordination improvements.

Acceptance Criteria

Assessment report meets professional consulting standards with executive summary, methodology, findings, and recommendations. Stakeholder mapping includes contact information, roles, and influence levels for future engagement. Gap analysis provides specific, actionable coordination improvements with effort/impact assessment. Working group has agreed charter and meeting schedule. Documentation quality enables teams to proceed without clarification.

Evidence of Completion

Working group formed with stakeholders from different funding programs. Minimum 10 stakeholder interviews completed and documented. Assessment report delivered covering all active funding mechanisms. Gap analysis identifies at least 5 specific coordination challenges. Goal alignment confirmed in writing by relevant committees.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

28500

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Framework Development

Milestone Outputs

Impact measurement framework specifications including metrics, KPIs, and ROI calculation methodologies applicable across all funding programs. Builder profile architecture document detailing achievement tracking, reputation systems, and cross-program visibility requirements.

Technical specifications for integration with existing tools and platforms. Assessment of current tools including feasibility analysis for adoption. Framework testing plan for pilot program with projects.

Stakeholder feedback from validation workshops. Updated gap analysis based on framework requirements. Documentation of data requirements and reporting standards. Process flows for cross-program coordination and milestone tracking.

Acceptance Criteria

Framework specifications are detailed enough for technical implementation without further consulting. Metrics are measurable with available data sources identified. Builder profile architecture aligns with existing Cardano identity systems. Integration pathways include specific technical requirements and API considerations. Framework addresses all identified gaps from Milestone 1.

Evidence of Completion

Impact framework specifications reviewed by technical stakeholders. Builder profile architecture validated through stakeholder workshops. Integration assessment completed for at least 3 existing tools. Framework documentation includes clear metrics and methodologies. Additional 10 stakeholder interviews completed. Pilot program design accepted by participating projects.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

38000

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

Implementation Planning

Milestone Outputs

Final recommendations report with prioritized actions for ecosystem coordination. Pilot program design including participant selection criteria, testing protocols, and success metrics. Implementation roadmap with phased approach for adopting frameworks.

Coordination blueprint detailing working group structure, decision processes, and sustainability model. Knowledge transfer documentation and training materials. Technical guides for framework adoption and tool integration.

Project Close Out Report summarizing all findings, deliverables, and next steps. Video presentation demonstrating framework application and pilot design. All materials published open-source with implementation guides.

Acceptance Criteria

Recommendations are actionable within current governance constraints and budget. Pilot design includes selection criteria, testing timeline, and measurement protocols. Implementation roadmap has clear phases with resource requirements and dependencies. Coordination blueprint is sustainable without ongoing external support. All documentation follows Catalyst open-source standards.

Evidence of Completion

All deliverables published on GitHub under MIT license. Pilot design includes 10+ confirmed participating projects. Implementation roadmap approved by committees. Knowledge transfer sessions completed with stakeholders. Project Close Out Report and video submitted per Catalyst requirements. Final presentation delivered to community.

Delivery Month

4

Cost

28500

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Professional Services (₳76,000 - 80%)

Senior consultant: ₳70,000 (437.5 hours at ₳160/hour over 16 weeks)

Expert advisors: ₳6,000 (technical review and specialized input as needed)

Research & Analysis (₳8,000 - 8.4%)

Data analysis tools and software: ₳2,000

Research materials and ecosystem documentation: ₳1,000

Stakeholder interview coordination and transcription: ₳2,500

Working group facilitation and meeting costs: ₳2,500

Documentation & Deliverables (₳6,000 - 6.3%)

Technical writing and framework documentation: ₳3,000

Video production for Project Close Out: ₳1,500

Open-source publishing and repository setup: ₳500

Pilot program design materials: ₳1,000

Operational Costs (₳5,000 - 5.3%)

Communication and collaboration tools: ₳1,000

Travel for key stakeholder meetings (if required): ₳2,000

Administrative support: ₳2,000

Budget Allocation by Milestone:

• Milestone 1 (Month 1): ₳28,500 - Foundation and assessment work

• Milestone 2 (Months 2-3): ₳38,000 - Framework development (higher allocation for technical work)

• Milestone 3 (Month 4): ₳28,500 - Implementation planning and close-out

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

The engagement delivers frameworks and specifications that all funding programs can use indefinitely. Working group formation creates ongoing coordination without additional consulting costs. Open-source deliverables mean any team can implement findings without licensing fees.

Cross-ecosystem expertise from managing millons in grants brings proven models that would take years to develop internally. The 4-month timeline provides rapid results compared to typical 12-month internal initiatives

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes