Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.6 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies by partnership
• Geographic Focus: International

Contact Details

• Website: https://ffdweb.org
• Email: impact@ffdweb.org
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Location: Middletown, Delaware

Overview

The Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to preserving humanity's most important information and supporting the development and adoption of decentralised technologies. With total assets of $12.3 million and annual charitable disbursements of $7.6 million (2023), FFDW focuses on empowering communities, preserving cultural knowledge, and shaping a fairer, more resilient internet. The foundation operates as a strategic grant maker, supporting organisations that advance decentralised web technologies and preserve critical information for future generations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

FFDW provides funding through strategic partnerships and targeted support rather than open applications:

• Filecoin Fund for Cultural Preservation: Co-funded with Artizen, supporting projects using decentralised storage to archive cultural works
• Strategic Partnerships: Direct funding to organisations aligned with mission areas
• Project-Specific Support: Targeted grants for initiatives in priority areas

Priority Areas

• DWeb Research and Development
• Education and capacity building for decentralised technologies
• Human Rights documentation and preservation
• Cultural Preservation initiatives
• Government Datasets and Policy work
• Science and Environment projects

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but funding appears limited to projects aligned with decentralised technology and information preservation missions.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Marta Belcher - President & Board Chair (also serves as Director, Secretary, and Treasurer)
• Rainey Reitman - Board Director (President of Freedom of the Press Foundation)
• Marcia Hofmann - Board Director (Electronic Privacy Attorney at Zeitgeist Law)
• Brian Behlendorf - Board Director
• Kristin Smith - Board Director
• Sheila Warren - Board Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through strategic partnerships and trustee discretion based on organisational alignment with FFDW's mission areas.

Getting on Their Radar

Organisations interested in partnership should:

• Contact the foundation at impact@ffdweb.org
• Demonstrate clear alignment with FFDW's focus on decentralised technologies and information preservation
• Show proven track record in one of their priority areas

Recent Funded Projects

FFDW has supported numerous organisations including:

• Internet Archive - Digital preservation initiatives
• Starling Lab - Human rights documentation using decentralised technologies
• Flickr Foundation - Launch funding to preserve the Flickr collection
• Library Innovation Lab at Harvard Law School - Research and development projects
• MuckRock - Gateway Grants programme (three rounds) helping global projects preserve documents
• Gray Area - DWeb for Creators course
• TechSoup - Accelerating Makers programme
• Digital Public Library of America - Cultural preservation initiatives
• EASIER Data Initiative - Data preservation projects
• Rohingya Project - Human rights documentation

Application Success Factors

Based on funded projects and stated priorities:

• Strong alignment with decentralised technology applications
• Focus on preservation of culturally or historically significant information
• Demonstrated technical capacity to implement decentralised storage solutions
• Clear public benefit and long-term sustainability plan
• Partnership potential with existing FFDW-supported initiatives
• Track record of successful project implementation
• Organisations working at the intersection of technology and social impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• FFDW operates as a strategic funder without a public application process - relationship building is essential
• Focus proposals on decentralised technology solutions for information preservation
• Emphasise public benefit and alignment with human rights, cultural preservation, or scientific advancement
• Consider partnering with existing FFDW grantees to increase visibility
• Contact impact@ffdweb.org to explore partnership opportunities before developing detailed proposals
• Strong technical expertise in decentralised systems is likely required
• Projects should demonstrate clear, measurable impact in preserving important information

References

• Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web official website (https://ffdweb.org) - Accessed December 2024
• FFDW Blog and Impact Updates (https://ffdweb.org/blog) - Accessed December 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - FFDW Profile (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/852066977) - Accessed December 2024
• FFDW About Page (https://ffdweb.org/about) - Accessed December 2024