(Season 2) Grant Allocator – Call for Applications

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(Season 2) Grant Allocator – Call for Applications

Abstract

The Community Treasury Board (CTB) is inviting protocols, accelerators, and communities to join Season Two of the Polygon Community Grants Program as independent Grant Allocators. These Grant Allocators will play a pivotal role distributing up to 35M POL.

Overview of Season 2 Grant Allocator Strategy

A Grant Allocator (GA) is a protocol, accelerator, or community that works directly with early-stage projects to help them be successful. GAs are responsible for managing the entire grant lifecycle, including sourcing, reviewing, and deploying funds to projects. GAs will also provide ongoing support to projects to help ensure their long-term success.

As a GA, you will manage a grant pool for your community ranging from 500K to 3M POL. The pool’s size depends on your community’s track record, experience managing grant programs, and potential for onchain impact.

The CTB is looking for GAs with a clear long-term vision for the projects they fund. Importantly, GAs are expected to provide ongoing support for projects to put them in the best chance for success. GAs should demonstrate how the selected projects will contribute to the Polygon ecosystem in the next 3-5 years and how they plan to support grantees in scaling beyond the grant period.

Who Can Apply?

GA applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  1. Experience: Proven track record of working with early-stage projects, with a focus on grant platforms, accelerators, or ecosystem collaborators.
  2. History of Managing Incubator/Accelerator/Grant Programs: Experience running incubator, accelerator, or grant programs with demonstrable success.
  3. Grant Management Capabilities: Ability to manage the full grant process, including:
  • Application launch and marketing.
  • Team review and shortlisting.
  • Onboarding, KYC, and legal management.
  • Amplification of grantees via distribution channels (a marketing plan must be submitted).

The CTB would especially like to see applications for Grant Allocators in the following Consumer Crypto categories:

  • Virtual Beings: AI-driven digital agents integrated with blockchain.
  • Decentralized Social: Platforms allowing users to control and own their content.
  • Onchain Gaming & Autonomous Worlds: Gaming environments fully onchain.
  • NFT Innovation: Expanding NFTs to broader use cases.
  • Content Co-Creation: Platforms enabling community-driven content ownership.
  • Digital/Physical Intersections: Connecting physical goods to onchain identities.
  • AI X Crypto: Integrating AI with blockchain for new user experiences.
  • Fun and Ingenuity: Projects that drive engagement and activity through fun, novel environments.

GA Responsibilities

GAs are responsible for the following:

  1. Sourcing and Reviewing Projects:
  • Actively promoting the program to attract high-quality projects.
  • Managing the application process and selecting promising projects that align with Polygon.
  1. Grant Disbursement and Management:
  • Disbursing grants in accordance with established timelines and milestones.
  • Ensuring transparency and compliance with all legal requirements, including KYC and fraud prevention.
  1. Amplification of Grantees:
  • Promoting the selected projects via distribution networks to enhance visibility and drive awareness.
  1. Support for Projects:
  • Providing ongoing support to grantees, including technical assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to ensure long-term success.
  1. Risk Management and Accountability:

  • Mechanisms to prevent misuse of funds.

  • Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, including KYC.

  • Procedures for handling underperforming or misaligned projects.

  1. Reporting and Transparency:

  • Submitting post-season impact and transparency reports covering:

  • Social campaign metrics.

  • Overview of applicants and key metrics.

  • Progress against approved KPIs and milestones.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

GAs must track and report on KPIs that measure the success of the grant program, including but not limited to:

  • Number of Applications Received.
  • Number of Projects Funded.
  • Total Funding Awarded.
  • Metrics: Key indicators for funded projects, such as user growth or transaction volume.
  • Engagement Metrics: Impact of marketing campaigns and outreach efforts.

How to Apply

Head to this form to start your application. If you have any questions reply in this thread.

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