An Introduction to Quadratic Funding

A better way to fund what communities truly care about

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What?

More people = more matching

Quadratic Funding (QF) is a system that rewards breadth of support. Instead of matching donations 1:1, it increases matching funds based on the number of unique donors.

So, ten people giving $1 each can unlock more matching funds than one person giving $10.

This makes QF more democratic: every donor counts, regardless of the amount they give.

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So What?

Leveling the playing field

In most funding models—for NGOs, tech, or local projects—a few large donors often decide where the money goes.

QF changes that by giving more weight to the number of people who contribute, not just how much. A project backed by many small donors can receive more funding than one supported by a single big donor.

It makes funding reflect what the broader community values.

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Now What?

The future is community-funded

QF is already being used to fund public goods on platforms like Gitcoin, Giveth, and clr.fund.

But its potential goes well beyond Web3. We could see it applied in:

• Participatory budgeting
• Local grantmaking and community governance
• Mutual aid & grassroots crowdfunding
• Creative, climate, and community-driven projects