Kevin Owocki: How quadratic funding could finance your dreams

How quadratic funding could finance your dreams

What if your $1 donation could result in a $100 contribution to a cause you believe in? That's the promise of quadratic funding: a new kind of crowdfunding model that uses math to distribute funds based on the number of contributors, rather than the amount given. Gitcoin founder Kevin Owocki dives into the principles and pitfalls of this approach to philanthropy, where "many small donors are more powerful than one large donor."

Quadratic funding flips traditional giving by rewarding projects that attract many contributors rather than just a few large donors. Through a simple mathematical formula, a single dollar from one person can unlock hundreds more from a matching pool, as seen in campaigns that distributed $60 million from 270,000 people. This method reveals in real time what communities genuinely value and channels resources to where support is broad, not just deep. With open-source technology now available, any group can use this democratic approach to fund what matters most.