Grants and Funding

Matching Fund Eligibility Guidelines

The Stellar Development Foundation (“SDF”) Investment Committee will only consider Matching Fund submissions that meet the following eligibility criteria, so please read through these guidelines prior to submitting materials to the Matching Fund.

1. Eligibility

1.1 The Matching Fund is only open to organizations (e.g., corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other corporate entities) that are duly organized or incorporated and in good standing at the time of submission (“Organizations”).

1.2 When an Organization submits materials to the Matching Fund, they should authorize a single Eligible Individual (a “Representative”) to represent, act, and prepare the submission on their behalf. By entering a submission on behalf of an Organization, you are representing that you are authorized to act on behalf of your Organization.

1.3 For an Organization to be considered for a Matching Fund investment, the Organization should consist of Eligible Individuals. An “Eligible Individual” is a natural person who:

  • is the greater of: (i) 18 years of age or (ii) the minimum age that is legally permitted to use and hold cryptocurrencies and/or to participate in the Matching Fund in the jurisdiction where such person resides;
  • is not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine, or any other country or region subject to sanctions by the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”), as may be updated from time to time;
  • is not identified on the Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons list provided by OFAC; and
  • does not reside in a jurisdiction where the transfer and holding of cryptocurrency is illegal or would require a special license or authorization that such person does not possess.

1.4 Applicable law and our internal policies restrict SDF from investing in certain categories of projects. The following types of projects will not be considered for a Matching Fund investment:

  • violates any applicable laws, regulations, orders, judgements or rules or infringes or violates any proprietary right of any party, including patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, right of privacy, right of publicity, or other rights;
  • involves, facilitates, supports, or promotes unlawful activities, including, but not limited to: fraud, drug trafficking, purchases on dark web markets, theft, illegal arms trafficking, human trafficking, abduction, extortion, embezzlement, corruption of public officials, acts of terrorism or terrorist financing, and intellectual property violations;
  • involves, facilitates, or promotes gambling;
  • is offensive, deceptive, harmful, or libelous;
  • is or contains sexually obscene content;
  • is discriminatory or abusive toward any individual or group; or
  • contains, transmit, or instills malware or phishing pages or devices.

If you are unsure whether your submission falls into one or more of these categories, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss.

1.5 SDF complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the distribution of investment funds. If your submission is selected for a Matching Fund investment, your Organization may be required to complete certain compliance checks and submit certain tax forms to facilitate receipt of the investment funds. Failure to submit appropriate documentation or failure to pass our required checks may result in your disqualification from consideration.

2. General Conditions

2.1 SDF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend or modify the Matching Fund or any of these eligibility criteria for any reason. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any amendment will become effective at the time specified in the posting or, if no time is specified, the time of posting.

2.2 The Matching Fund is governed by the SDF Terms of Service and these Eligibility Guidelines. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between the Terms of Service and these Eligibility Guidelines, these Eligibility Guidelines will prevail.

2.3 SDF’s failure to enforce any term of these Eligibility Guidelines shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Should any provision of these Eligibility Guidelines be or become illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction whose laws or regulations may apply, such illegality or unenforceability shall leave the remainder of these Eligibility Guidelines, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unaffected and valid. The illegal or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision that comes closest and best reflects the SDF’s intention in a legal and enforceable manner.

2.4 SDF may collect personal information in connection with a SDF Matching Fund submission. Such information is subject to the SDF Privacy Policy.

3. Contact

If you have any questions about the Matching Fund or your eligibility under these guidelines, please email [email protected].