Ethereum Staking Enables New Model of Philanthropic Giving for Financial Inclusion

Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) has introduced a groundbreaking method for supporting financial inclusion through Ethereum staking donations. By partnering with Lido Impact Staking, donors can now contribute to blockchain-powered solutions without depleting their principal investments.

The initiative allows ETH holders to stake their cryptocurrency and allocate a portion of their staking rewards to MCV's Crypto for Good Fund. This fund supports Web3 startups developing innovative financial technologies for emerging markets, focusing on providing digital financial services to traditionally underserved populations.

Scott Onder, Chief Investment Officer at Mercy Corps, emphasized the transformative potential of this approach. By enabling donors to generate ongoing support through staking rewards, the program creates a sustainable funding mechanism for blockchain solutions addressing global financial inequality.

The staking model supports projects targeting critical financial inclusion challenges, such as developing decentralized lending platforms, creating digital identity systems, and establishing transparent aid distribution mechanisms. Since 2018, Mercy Corps Ventures has partnered with over 30 protocols and startups, reaching more than 3 million users with innovative financial technologies.

This approach represents a significant evolution in philanthropic giving, offering institutions, corporate partners, and crypto communities a capital-efficient method to support meaningful technological innovations. By leveraging Ethereum's staking infrastructure, donors can continuously contribute to projects that have the potential to transform financial access for underserved communities worldwide.