This guide is tailored specifically for Nigerian NGOs exploring Web3 funding options as an additional source of funding. It includes instructions for setting up a Web3 wallet, a cryptocurrency exchange account, and Web3 fundraising platform accounts, along with tips for finding funding opportunities. I've tried to keep it concise to help you quickly find the necessary information.

Before We Get Started

There are some important things you need to know and have before starting your Web3 grant fundraising journey:

Cryptocurrency basics

• Cryptocurrency is digital money transacted without the control of the bank or government.

  Cryptocurrency is digital money transacted without the control of the bank or government

  It gained mainstream adoption because many believe that banks and governments are naturally corrupt and unreliable. This corruption-resistant tech has gained traction in philanthropy as a quick and borderless crowdfunding tool for non-profits.

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• Cryptocurrencies are either stable or volatile.

  Cryptocurrencies are either stable or volatile.

  Stable cryptocurrencies (stablecoins) do not fluctuate with market conditions because they are pegged to a traditional currency like the US dollar. Volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can change significantly based on market conditions.

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• A Web3 wallet is a digital tool that allows you to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies.

  A Web3 wallet, is a digital tool that allows you to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies

  Ownership is determined by whoever holds the wallet's recovery phrase, as it authorises outgoing transactions. Anyone who gets your recovery phrase can steal all your crypto by using it in any wallet app. Knowing how to use a crypto wallet to access and manage crowdfunded/grant crypto assets is essential.

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Potential risks

• Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, meaning that mistakes can lead to permanent losses.

  Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, meaning that mistakes can lead to permanent losses

  Guard your recovery phrase with all vigilance because losing access to it means losing access to your crypto assets. Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets are frequent targets for hackers, so if your security measures are inadequate, it can lead to substantial financial losses.

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• The cryptocurrency space is rife with scams.

  The cryptocurrency space is rife with scams

  You can lose your crypto assets because you clicked an unsuspecting link or interacted with a particular protocol. Unlike traditional financial systems, there is usually no insurance or protection against such losses with cryptocurrencies.

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• The technical nature of cryptocurrencies poses challenges for new users.

  The technical nature of cryptocurrencies poses challenges, especially for new users

  The complexity of sending assets across networks and addresses can lead to asset loss.

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Prerequisites

To get the most out of this guide, I recommend having these three things ready before proceeding:

• Proper branding

  Proper branding

  A strong brand identity helps your NGO stand out. This includes a well-designed logo, clearly articulated vision and mission statements, a compelling slogan or tagline, and unique imagery.

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• Social media accounts for your NGO

  Social media accounts for your NGO

  Sharing stories, images, and videos of your NGO's activities on social media builds its authenticity and increases its engagement with a wider audience.

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• A bank account

  A bank account

  Despite the fact that cryptocurrency works outside of the banking system, you will need a bank account and a government-issued ID to use some of the platforms discussed in this guide.

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Step 1 - Setting up a Web3 wallet and exchange account

Creating a Web3 wallet

A Web3 wallet is your access point to Web3 fundraising for your NGO. We'll be using Rainbow wallet to set one up.

1. Download the app on a mobile device or computer.
   This guide is optimised for mobile phones, however the steps will still work on your computer.
2. Open the app and click "Create a new wallet."
3. Click "Reveal your recovery phrase".
   For security reasons, ensure no one else is around before you reveal the phrase.
4. Write down on paper in the order and numbering displayed, and store it in a safe place. Select "I’ve saved these words".
5. Verify the phrase you wrote down.
6. Create your password. Once the password shows Excellent, select "Set password".
   Avoid easy-to-guess passwords that you are able to remember, or consider a password manager like BitWarden for secure passwords that you don't need to remember.
7. And voila! You have successfully created your Web3 wallet. 🎉

Setting up an exchange account

An exchange account allows you to swap cryptocurrency for fiat and vice versa. We'll be using Bitget to set one up.

1. Bitget only works on mobile, so visit your favourite app store to download it.
2. Open the app and tap "Continue".
3. Tap "Get Started".
4. Sign up with your email or mobile number and create a password.
   Avoid easy-to-guess passwords that you are able to remember, or consider a password manager like BitWarden for secure passwords that you don't need to remember.
5. Ensure your password meets all the conditions in the pop-up, then tap "Create Account".
6. Enter the security verification code sent to your email address and tap "Submit".
7. The account has been created but you cannot use it until you verify your identity, so tap "Verify now".
8. Select your country and ID type, and click "Continue".
   Verifying a Bitget account can take up to 24 hours. You will receive an email notification if your account has been successfully verified.
9. You can now freely use your crypto exchange account. 🎉

Step 2 - Buying your first cryptocurrency

Buying cryptocurrency with fiat

Also known as "on-ramping", converting some fiat to crypto is necessary for transacting "on-chain".

1. Open the Bitget App and tap the "Add funds" button at the top right corner.
2. Our focus is on the "Buy Crypto with" section. Select the "Third-party payment" option.
3. Enter a small amount in the "Pay" box, say 7,000 NGN. Select "USDT" from the "Receive" dropdown. Make sure "AlchemyPay" is selected under "Choose a third party". Click "Buy USDT."
4. Check the "I have read and agreed to the above terms" box and tap "Confirm". You will be redirected to AlchemyPay to complete the transaction.
5. Fill in the required information and tap "Confirm payment".
6. A local bank account will be provided tha you can transfer to. Make the transfer and then click "I have completed the payment".
7. Wait for the transaction to be processed by AlchemyPay.
8. Once AlchemyPay confirms the transaction, the transaction status will change from "Processing" to "Completed".
9. You should receive an email confirmation from AlchemyPay.
10. You’ll also receive a deposit confirmation mail from Bitget.
11. Congratulations, you have successfully purchased your first cryptocurrency!

Buy some gas tokens

Gas is what you pay to transact on a blockchain network. It's typically paid in the network's native cryptocurrency and its price can vary. We will buy some gas tokens for the Optimism network.

1. If not already open, open the Bitget App and tap the "Trade" button at the bottom middle.
2. Click "Convert" on the next screen. Select "USDT" in the "From" field and enter a small amount, say 1 USDT. Select "OP" in the "To" field, then tap "Get quote".
3. You'll see the exchange rate for the cryptocurrencies you're swapping and the associated fees. Tap "Confirm".
   There are no swap fees transactions on Bitget, but other platforms may charge you.
4. Voila! You have swapped USDT for OP, the gas token for the Optimism blockchain.

Transferring cryptocurrency to your Web3 wallet

Finally, the begin transacting on the blockchain, you will transfer those OP tokens to your Rainbow Web3 wallet.

1. With the Bitget app open, tap "Assets" at the bottom navigation bar and then "Spot" along the top. You should see your OP tokens there.
2. Tap on the dotted menu icon at the bottom left.
3. From the menu, select "Withdraw".
4. Choose "On-chain withdrawal".
5. Select "Optimism(Optimism)" as the "Withdrawal network"
6. Open your Rainbow wallet, and select "Copy" to copy the wallet address.
   A thumbs-up emoji will appear to indicate successful address copying.
7. Back in the Bitget app, paste the address in the "Withdrawal address" field, tap "All" in the "Withdrawal amount" field, then tap "Withdraw".
   Withdrawals require a gas fee which displayed in the bottom left corner as 0.1 OP. Note that this could change.
8. Review the details of your withdrawal and then tap confirm.
   Ensure that the "Address" shown on the confirm screen is the same as your Rainbow Web3 wallet address.
9. Verification codes will be sent to your email and mobile number. Enter them in the respective boxes.
10. Wait for the transaction to be processed.
11. You will see a screen indicating the withdrawal was a success.
12. Voila! Open your Rainbow wallet to check that your tokens have arrived.
    It may take a few minutes for them to appear.
13. You are now ready to transact on the blockchain!

Step 3 - Setting up a Giveth project

Signing into Giveth with your Web3 wallet

1. Open Rainbow wallet on your mobile phone and tap the web icon.
2. Enter giveth.io in the address bar and tap "Sign in" at the top right.
3. Tap "Sign in with Ethereum".
4. Select the "OP Mainnet" network.
5. Tap "Rainbow" in the list.
6. Rainbow wallet will pop up to ask your approval to connect to Giveth. Tap "Connect".
   Make sure that the network is set to Optimism at the bottom right.

Creating a profile

1. Tap on the unicorn icon in the header bar.
   If you don't see the unicorn icon, you will need to sign into Giveth again.
2. Tap "My Account".
3. Tap "Sign in".
4. Tap "Confirm".
5. Tap "Let’s Do It!" to create your Giveth profile.
6. The next page will prompt you to complete your profile. Scroll to the end and click "Ok".
7. Fill your name and email in the "What should we call you?" section.
8. Fill your location in the "Where are you?" section and enter a URL to your website or social media.
9. Tap the "Upload Image" button.
10. Tap "upload from device" to upload your preferred profile photo.
11. If you want to change the picture, tap "Delete" and upload another. Otherwise tap "Save."

Creating your project

1. Now that we have completed our profile, we can create a project. Tap "New Project".
   If you don't see the "New Project" button, you will need to sign into Giveth again.
2. Fill in the name of your NGO where you have "Project Name".
3. Enter your NGO mission statement and goals where you have "Tell us about your project."
4. Enter the social media links for your NGO on the applicable social networks.
5. In the category section, select up to five categories your NGO can fit in.
6. Enter the location where your NGO will be focused.
   Since your NGO is a grassroots initiative, use the following format: Community/Local Government Area, State, Country (e.g., Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria or Ishibori Village, Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria).
7. Upload a brand picture of your NGO by selecting the "Upload cover image" toggle and tapping "Upload from device".
8. In the "Receiving Funds" section, you’ll need to fill in an address for each network listed.
9. To get the address, tap the home icon (blue arrow) to return to the wallet screen and copy the wallet address (white arrow). Tap the web icon (green arrow) to return to the Giveth page.
10. You’ll fill in the copied wallet address for all networks except Solana. When you select a particular network, paste the address and tap "Add ADDRESS".
11. Toggle the "Enable Recurring Donations" button on.
    Recurring donations is a way for donors to automatically donate to your project continuously.
12. Once you’re done, tap "Publish."
13. Tap "Confirm".
14. You will now process your very first blockchain transaction. Tap "Confirm".
15. If you click "Yes, Publish my Project," you should see this congratulatory message.
16. Congrats, you have created your Giveth project!
    Your project must be listed first before you can continue with the next step. Once it is listed, you’ll receive an email from Giveth.

Verifying your project

1. Now that your project is listed, tap the profile icon.
   If you don't see the profile icon, you will need to sign into Giveth again.
2. Tap "My Projects".
3. Tap the "Actions" dropdown menu and select "Verify Project".
4. This section has important information on the verification process. Once you’re done reading, tap the "Next" at the bottom of the page.
5. Tap "Verify email address" to verify the email you used in setting up your profile.
6. Open your email account and tap the verification link in the email sent to your address.
   You'll either see a confirmation message for successful verification or a "This link does not exist" message. If you get the latter, return to your wallet and click "Verify email address" again.
7. If your NGO is legally registered, select "Yes". Otherwise, select "No." Ensure you fill out the information attached to each selection.
8. Fill in the links to your personal social media accounts.
9. Copy your Giveth project link and post it on any of your NGO's social handles. Then copy the link to the post and submit in the "Project Social Link" box.
   To get your Giveth project link, tap the "Share" button below the link field to copy the link for easy sharing.
10. Provide details about your project’s mission, creation date, and future goals. Additionally, upload impact photos: images captured during previous initiatives.
11. Provide details on how your project will use the funds raised through the platform.
12. Accept the Giveth terms and conditions and tap "Finish".
13. Voila! Your verification application has been submitted. Once the application is approved, you will receive a mail from Giveth.

Writing a project update

Project updates help keep donors aware of your activities. You don't need to add them immediately after creating or verifying your project, but it's something to keep in mind after about a month on Giveth.

1. Open your Rainbow wallet, go to the browser, and navigate to giveth.io.
2. Tap the profile icon at the top right.
   If you don't see the profile icon, you will need to sign into Giveth again.
3. Tap "My Projects".
4. Tap "Actions".
5. Tap "Add Update".
6. Write your update.
   It could be an initiative successfully executed or a milestone to be accomplished.
7. Tap the "Submit" button to publish your update.
8. And Voila! There’s an update for our test project on the 21st of August.

Step 4 - Finding Web3 grant opportunities

Interacting with the Web3 community

Before we look for Web3 grant opportunities, it's important to first get involved in the Web3 community. Getting Web3 grant funding very much depends on how involved you are in the community and how well-known your project is.

• Participate in X Spaces focused on Web3 for climate and social impact.

  Participate in X spaces focused on Web3 for ecological and social impact

  Whenever possible, join the Lets GROW, Public Nouns, and Climate Coordination Network spaces. There's also this list of impact-aligned Spaces you can check out. You don't have to speak, but it's a helpful way to get comfortable with the community.

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• Engage with X accounts doing work similar to your NGO.

  Engage with X accounts doing work similar to your NGO

  This means reacting, commenting, and/or reposting posts by projects and thought leaders of interest. Comments should always be meaningful to the information communicated. We have compiled a list of Web3 impact accounts that you can use a starting point.

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• Listen to relevant podcasts.

  Listen to relevant podcasts

  Some good examples include ReFi Podcast, Crypto Altruism, ReFi Generation, Crypto Sapiens, and The Blockchain Socialist.

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• Peruse CARBON Copy's Web3 impact project database to find potential partners.

  Peruse CARBON Copy's Web3 impact project databases to find potential partners

  We have curated a database of over 250 Web3 projects making ecological and social impact. Each project has its own profile page where you can find additional details and contact information.

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Looking for Web3 grant opportunities

• Subscribe to Web3 impact copies.

  Subscribe to Web3 impact copies

  These usually come packed with happenings in the Web3 impact community and opportunities to key into. Examples include Web3forGood's weekly newsletter and Karma GAP's Weekly Grant Roundup post on X. You can also subscribe to CARBON Copy's weekly newsletter for updates.

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• Follow the right accounts on X.

  Follow the right accounts on X

  I've created a list of accounts that frequently share updates about ecological and social impact funding opportunities. Engage with them if you can because doing so will tweak your algorithm to regularly bring funding opportunities to your feed.

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• Check the Gitcoin Grant explorer.

  Check the Gitcoin Grant explorer

  Gitcoin Grants is the most popular Web3 grant platform (more on it further down). You can check it periodically to see if any new grant programs become available.

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• Create your own opportunities.

  Create your own opportunities

  Grants aren’t the only way to execute initiatives. For example, The Solar Foundation teamed up with Helper Social Development Foundation (NGO) in Enugu to provide solar power for the school they're building for economically disadvantaged children. Your efforts may only yield success if you build a relationship with these projects through regular interactions.

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• Join the 9ja Web3 Grant Initiative on Telegram.

  Join the 9ja Web3 Grant Initiative on Telegram

  I've started a community specifically for Nigeria NGOs looking for Web3 funding opportunities. We're starting on Telegram. You can join through this link and introduce yourself.

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Step 5 - Setting up a Gitcoin project

Creating your project

1. Open your Rainbow wallet, tap the browser icon, navigate to builder.gitcoin.co, and tap "Connect Wallet".
2. Tap "Rainbow" in the list.
3. When the wallet opens, to set the network to "Optimism" and tap the "Connect" button.
4. Tap "Create a Project".
5. Select "Optimism " from the dropdown menu.
6. Enter the name of your NGO and its website.
   You can use the link to any of your NGO's social accounts if you don’t have a website.
7. Upload the logo and banner images of your NGO.
   You can use your X account banner or any image that shows your NGO's work.
8. Enter a comprehensive description of your NGO, its mission, goals, and achievements.
9. Even though it is optional, fill in your social links and proceed.
10. Preview your project for mistakes and errors. If you’re satisfied, tap "Save and Publish". Otherwise, tap "Go back to Editing".
11. A pop-up will appear displaying the status of your project's creation. You will need to process a blockchain transaction to save your project.
12. Tap "Confirm" to submit the transaction for processing.
13. You’ll see a display message encouraging the successful saving of your project.
14. Voila! Your project has been created. You won't able to use it right away, but it will come in handy when there is a Gitcoin Grant round to apply to. More on that below.

Next Steps

As I mentioned, this is not an exhaustive guide on web3 for non-profits. Let’s look at other things you could leverage to stand out:

• Keep an eye out for Web3 grant opportunities.

  Keep an eye out for Web3 grant opportunities

  Follow the advice in Step 4 to stay up to date with opportunities.

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• Report your activities.

  Report your activities

  The focus should be on well-documented activity reports that include data on accomplishments rather than just announcing successes. You could even enhance this with video reporting.

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• Learn about Web3.

  Learn about Web3

  Ensure you equip yourself with basic knowledge of the technology and its philosophy. Without this knowledge, you may not be able to capitalise on some opportunities.

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• Market your NGO.

  Market your NGO

  Although this isn't a profit-driven venture, marketing helps you reach a wider audience. You can learn and refine this skill to benefit your NGO.

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• Track your expenses.

  Track your expenses

  The goal is to sharpen your accounting skills to maintain accurate records of the funds coming into the NGO. Remember that these are voluntary donations, not the NGO's money, so you are responsible for regularly updating donors on how the funds are used.

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• Get big on collaborations.

  Get big on collaborations

  Web3 impact builders are everywhere. Show genuine interest in their work and engage with what they’re doing. They’ll be more likely to support your work.

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• Join the 9ja Web3 Grant Initiative on Telegram!

  Join the 9ja Web3 Grant Initiative on Telegram

  I've started a community specifically for Nigeria NGOs looking for Web3 funding opportunities. We're starting on Telegram. You can join through this link and introduce yourself.

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Good luck!