ZCG Grants: Guidance for Non-Technical Applications

Community Grants
1

Hi everyone,

The Zcash Community Grants (ZCG) committee has noticed that some recent non-technical grant submissions don’t align with ZCG’s stated funding priorities or are incomplete applications. To help applicants put forward stronger requests we’d like to provide some guidance on what every non-technical application should include.

Prior to Applying

There are many ways to get funding and support within the Zcash ecosystem, not just through ZCG grants. Applicants to ZCG are expected to have a proven track record before applying. If you are new, consider starting with opportunities like the ZecHub bounty program, where you can earn ZEC by contributing to smaller projects, or by seeking community donations on Free2Z.

Before submitting a grant application to ZCG, make sure you understand the priorities of the Zcash community and ecosystem. Applicants should carefully review the “What We’re Ready to Fund” section on the ZCG website, as it outlines the types of projects the committee is most interested in supporting.

Take time to explore resources such as Free2Z, ZecHub, and the Zcash Community Forum to educate yourself, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. Once you’ve gained this knowledge and experience, you’ll be better positioned to assess whether you’re qualified to apply.

A strong ZCG proposal should clearly identify a specific issue within the ecosystem and explain how your idea provides a meaningful solution.

What to Include in Your Proposal

At minimum, please ensure your application addresses the following areas:

  1. Clear Problem Statement

    • What gap, challenge, or opportunity are you addressing?

    • Why does it matter for the Zcash ecosystem or community?

  2. Proposed Solution

    • What exactly will you do to address the problem?

    • Describe the activities, deliverables, or outputs.

  3. Impact on the Zcash Ecosystem

    • How will this proposal advance adoption, awareness, or utility of Zcash?

    • Who benefits (developers, users, etc.) and how?

  4. Team Background & Capacity

    • Who are you, and what relevant experience do you bring?

    • Provide evidence of past successes.

    • If you’re working with partners, explain their role and qualifications.

  5. Budget & Timeline

    • Provide a clear, itemized budget (staff, contractors, travel, events, marketing, etc.).

    • Outline a timeline with major milestones and expected completion date(s).

  6. Success Criteria

    • What does success look like?

    • How will you measure progress and impact?

  7. Sustainability / Next Steps

    • Will the project require ongoing funding?

    • How will it continue to add value after ZCG support ends?

Why This Matters

ZCG is committed to funding impactful work that supports Zcash’s mission. The community created ZCG for the purpose of funding major grants, and we take that responsibility seriously. A strong, well-prepared application not only increases your chances of being approved, but also ensures we can fairly compare proposals and allocate community funds responsibly.

Final Note

Non-technical projects are just as important as technical ones — outreach, education, advocacy, and ecosystem development all strengthen Zcash. But they need to be presented with the same clarity and rigor as engineering grants.

If you’re considering applying and want feedback before submission, we encourage you to reach out here on the Forum for community input.

— Zcash Community Grants (ZCG) Committee

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