SIP-27: DA Election for the Grant Program

[Geraldine]

TL;DR

What

SIP-27 proposes the election of Domain Allocators (DAs) to oversee budget allocations of the SDGP. DAs will be responsible for specific domains, ensuring that funding decisions align with the DAO’s objectives (SAND utility and Engagement).

Why

Establishing DAs aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of resource allocation, empowering community members with domain expertise to guide funding decisions.​

How

Strongly recommend that you vote for 1 candidate per domain and to vote for all four domains. Voting Power can be spread among different options and the options are broken down by the candidates’ domain preferences. The candidate with the highest VP in each domain will be selected for the role.

When

Upon approval of SIP-27 on April 30th, an official contract will be signed with the DAO. Following this, we will commence onboarding.

Who

Lanzer (Shane)
Money (Jed)
Ivey (SeedGov)
yuelwolf (Andres)
TheVisionEx (Joseph)

HERE is a Twitter Spaces we hosted, chatting with each candidate.

SIP Details

Background

Link to SIP-25
Domain Allocators are the key figures in the Sandox DAO Grant Program (SDGP), responsible not only for evaluating and approving grants but also for actively shaping and promoting their domain within the community.
Their impact will define the success or failure of their respective verticals.
Domain Allocators (DAs) will manage grant distribution in specific areas, enabling quicker and more focused decision-making.

Domain 1: Web 3 Ecosystem Integration
Domain 2: Season Rewards & Game Creation
Domain 3: Education, Onboarding & Technology
Domain 4: Community Engagement & Charity

Roles and Responsibilities of DAs

• Lead and promote their domain: identify gaps, opportunities, and initiatives to drive their domain forward.
• Community Engagement: raise awareness, encourage participation, and mentor applicants to maximize the impact of the grants.
• Collaborate with the PM to design and publish predefined criteria for eligible proposals.
• Approve or reject proposals based on on predefined criteria such as feasibility, impact, and alignment with The Sandbox’s vision
• Oversee & validate milestone tracking
• Provide transparency by posting updates at least once a month in the Sandbox DAO Forum.

Election Process

Voting Period of vetted DAs candidates: April 16th-April 30th
Voting for one candidate per domain, four votes in total
Contract based covering only the 4 month pilot

Nominees

The Admin Team met with each of the candidates in order to review their experience and validate their domain alignment. We have summarised our thoughts below.

We also conducted a Twitter Spaces conversation which we would recommend you listen to prior to voting in order to get to know the candidates better.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would vote for one candidate in all four domains. Although two domains have only one nomination, we would still like to ensure that the community endorses the selection.

Jed (Money)

Strong professional experience & willingness to learn
Good understanding of pushing an idea through to delivery
Involved in several different Web3 communities
Preferred Domains: Education, Onboarding & Technology or Community Engagement & Charity

Ivey (Ivey/SEEDGov)

Great knowledge of different DAOs & communities
Experienced in supporting grants through processes
Dedicated to transparency
Preferred Domains: Education, Onboarding & Technology or Community Engagement & Charity

Shane (Lanzer)

Strong alignment with transparency and disclosure
Structured and measured approach
Great knowledge on comms channels used by the community
Preferred Domains: Education, Onboarding & Technology or Community Engagement & Charity

Joseph (TheVisionEx)

Excellent technical skills & experience, especially in game testing
Comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end approach
Very clear point of view and standards
Preferred Domain: Season Rewards & Game Creation

Andres (Yuelwolf)

Extensive Web3 knowledge & technical skills, with experience as a back-end developer
Established network of connections & potential partners
Great understanding of Sandbox ecosystem
Preferred Domain: Web3 Ecosystem Integration

Voting Options

1. Web 3 Ecosystem Integration - Andres
2. Season Rewards & Game Creation- Joseph
3. Education, Onboarding & Technology - Lanzer
4. Education, Onboarding & Technology - Money
5. Education, Onboarding & Technology - Ivey
6. Community Engagement & Charity - Lanzer
7. Community Engagement & Charity - Money
8. Community Engagement & Charity - Ivey
9. Abstain

[Lanzer]

I submit my nomination for the role of Domain Allocator.

Click for Bio

• Sandbox Background:
  • Join SandFam in 2021 as a gamer, I am now a Landowner and token holder
  • Published 2 experiences: Floor Droppers (Alpha Season 4 & ranked 7th in Builder’s Challenge 1), Lava Defense (GMF 2023)
  • Host of SANDDAO Podcast, recently celebrated its 61st episode!
  • Author of SIP-16 (Insert in-game Inventory Filter for Equipment) & SIP-18 (SANDDAO Podcast)
• Professional Background:
  • 13+ year career in Contract Writing, Proposal Evaluation, Program Management
  • Extensive experience in evaluating hundreds of commercial proposals, selecting winning bidders based on fair and reasonable grading criteria, and administering 100+ post-award contracts of all kinds (supply/service/construction), the largest of which was $3 billion dollars.
• Other:
  • Co-founded & led a community-led organization that hosted 70+ tournament events and broke a Guinness World Record with 1K+ players, a record held for 10 years.
  • Published 2 books to Amazon & 2 songs to iTunes
• Education:
  • Master’s degree in Acquisitions & Contract Administration
  • DAO Certified by Blockchain Council
  • Certificate in Not-for-Profit Admininistration
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

• First domain: Education, Onboarding & Technology.

• Second domain: Community Engagement & Charity

• My vision for proposals are those that positively impact the people, products, and purpose of the Sandbox ecosystem.

• My criteria for fair and efficient evaluation will be based on S.M.A.R.T.

1. Specific outcomes defined,
2. Measurable milestones to achieve those outcomes,
3. Accountable points of contact,
4. Realistic impact on the ecosystem,
5. Timely completion of the outcomes,
6. Full disclosure of those who benefit from the proposal

• I have been evaluating proposals and administering legally binding contracts for 13+ years. I am confident that I understand our ecosystem, and that I can identify impactful proposals and evaluate them fairly.
• I intend to publish evaluated proposals on the forums with scores & supporting rationale.

Thank you!

[Money]

Self Nomination for a Domain Allocator Position

Hi all! I’d like to toss my hat into the ring here.

Bio & Experience

I’m a seasoned professional with 14 years of experience in ecommerce and web marketing, having worked at the agency level in growth management before transitioning to the SaaS space where I focused on brand growth and development.

My journey with TheSandbox began earlier this year when I discovered it as an activity to share with my daughter. Since then, I’ve become a SAND holder and have spent the last three months familiarizing myself with the DAO.

In the past year, I’ve deepened my knowledge of DAOs and governance systems through active participation in multiple communities including ApeCoin DAO, Arbitrum DAO, and most recently, the Sandbox DAO.

Relevant Experience:

• Currently serve as a grant application reviewer for Thrive Protocol
• Review milestone reporting for funded projects to ensure accountability
• Work with projects receiving grants from SwellChain, Xion, and Polygon

Expertise & Preferred Domains

Expertise:

• Web marketing and ecommerce growth strategies
• Brand development and positioning
• Grant evaluation and milestone tracking
• DAO governance and community engagement

Preferred Domains:

1. Community & Marketing - Leveraging my extensive marketing background to help projects that enhance community engagement and growth
2. Education & Onboarding - Supporting initiatives that make Web3 and metaverse experiences more accessible to newcomers

Vision for Success

My vision centers on creating a sustainable ecosystem where creators and builders can thrive while providing tangible value to the DAO. I aim to:

• Establish clear expectations and documentation processes from the outset
• Develop standardized reporting frameworks that balance accountability with flexibility
• Create feedback loops between funded projects and the community
• Identify projects with potential for multiplier effects within the ecosystem
• Balance innovation with practical execution capabilities

Criteria for Fair Grant Allocation

I believe effective grant allocation requires:

1. Transparent Evaluation Process
2. Balanced Assessment Framework
3. Accountability Mechanisms

Additional Information

I understand that not every grant works out perfectly, but with proper systems in place, we can maximize success rates while managing risk effectively.

I believe in empowering builders to create and grow, while maintaining a reasonable and logical perspective on the realities of finance, branding, marketing, and goal setting. My approach balances enthusiasm for innovation with pragmatic assessment of execution capability.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community.

[Ivey]

Applicant Information

• Name of Applicant: SEEDGov
• POCs Telegram Handle: @Ivey93
• X account:
• LinkedIn

Our bio

First of all - hi everyone! I’m Ivey representing SEEDGov.

SEEDGov is a dynamic and evolving vertical within the SEED Org Ecosystem, focused on shaping the future of decentralized governance through active participation, community engagement and experimentation. With roots in community values, we’ve evolved from education-based initiatives to a participatory approach that drives collaboration, coordination, and decision-making in the ever-changing Web3 landscape.

Our work embraces various protocols, where we design and implement governance infrastructures, manage grants and allocation programs, oversee incentives and onboard the right builders to meet each protocol needs. SEED’s diverse and multidisciplinary team brings the right flexibility and adaptability to successfully build and deliver. You can learn more about our work in other protocols by visiting our wiki !

All in all, we find a high sense of alignment with TSB values and its strategic direction. We’ve been spectators of the SIP debates for a while and gladly found an active and engaged community that we’d love to be a part of and actively contribute to its growth. We deeply care about the values of the protocols we engage and having builders first and progressive decentralization as core values is something we tirelessly advocate for and commonly share.

We also see this as an opportunity for TSB to expand and create new avenues not only for its community but in a wider sense, bridging the gap between the metaverse and Web3 in general, which currently stands as a great oportunity given the momentum the industry is living.

Experience

1. Domain preference 1: Education, Onboarding & Technology
2. Domain preference 2: Community Engagement and Charity

With presence in 15+ protocols, we have a track record of contributions in the grants management and design vertical, some relevant highlights for this application are:

Arbitrum

• Domain Allocators (Questbook) - Education, Community Growth, and Events. Elected as DAs for 3 consecutive seasons, managing a total of: 232 applications, 75 projects and 2.5M USD in funding.
• LTIPP and STIP Programs: Advisors for evaluating applications and deciding which protocols receive ARB to use as incentives for their users.
• Stylus Sprint Evaluation Committee Member: Supporting Arbitrum network growth and accelerating capital distribution to both EVM and non-EVM protocols that migrate to Stylus to drive network and ecosystem growth further.

Gitcoin

• Gitcoin Delegates Council 2025: Elected as a Council member with strategic planning, governance innovation, and fund allocation oversight scope, including partaking the Gitcoin Grants 2025 program as reviewers.

Optimism

• Grants Council Reviewer - Builders Sub-Committee (Season 5): Reviewed and assessed +50 projects, their budgets, backgrounds and technical feasibility to select the finalists for Governance Fund grants.

Decentraland DAO

• Facilitation Squad Unit - On a personal level, I worked as a contributor on the Facilitation Squad unfolding Onboarding and Community Engagement, Transparency, DAO-Foundation relationship and policy building tasks.

Lastly, we have extensive experience in Community Growth and Education initiatives, ranging from IRL events (such as the Governance Day at Devcon), to live educational sessions, workshops and meet-ups. We are also a part of Crecimiento and Devconnect ARG.!

Vision

We are keen on seeing initiatives that drive builders, users and revenue into TSB and the DAO, lowering the barrier for each of those items with a high sense of innovation and creativity. Our vision includes educational events, tools and material that work not only to reduce that information gap but also provide certification and validation of the acquired knowledge.

In that sense, the DA will be focused on initiatives that could have a genuine impact and focusing on four main areas:

1. High quality educational content
2. Academic support encompassing universities and educational institutions.
3. Educational events with a strategic emphasis on geographic diversity
4. TSB integration to the wider Web3 ecosystem

Initiatives can run through education, divulgation, up-skilling, community building, talent incubation and different angles to which the DA can focus in line with the strategic direction set by the DAO and the PM. This vision not only includes building and strengthening the TSB and growing the SandFam, but to also put efforts into further integrating the metaverse to some environments that might not be as familiar and therefore generating yet to be explored synergies.

Criteria for allocations

Our experience in the Arbitrum domain has led to the development of a now v3 rubric. It’s worth to say that on top of the rubric some minimum formal criteria should be followed for applications to be considered since a well-structured proposal not only demonstrates the proponent team’s commitment and seriousness but also facilitates the evaluation and tracking process. Our criteria both for applications and assessment breakdown as follows, naturally tied to the PMs approval:

Applications

For Approval:

• Adherence to the template.
• Proponent team’s experience/skills.
• Detailed expense description (budget breakdown).
• Costs aligned with international standards.
• Alignment with our vision and criteria.
• Well-organized and thorough responses to questions.
• A clear structure for the final report.

For Rejection:

• Disorganized or poorly structured proposal (no adherence or partial adherence to the template).
• Unjustified costs (no rationale).
• Proposal outside the category (out of scope).
• Lack of authenticity in the proponent team.
• Potential overlap with other initiatives funded by the DAO or the same Domain.
• False or misleading information, lack of external references.
• Slow response times.
• Absence of KPIs or unrealistic expectations.
• Unprofessional or uncivil language.

Rubric

1. Team Composition and Experience
   We assess the experience and credentials of the team, prioritizing profiles with strong web3 background and a verifiable track record in education, events, community development, or related fields. For institutional proposals, prior relationships with universities, research centers, or relevant organizations are crucial.

2. Innovation and Quality of the Idea
   We seek proposals that go beyond the basics, offering innovative, high-quality, and long-lasting educational content. We do not accept proposals based solely on existent or recycled content without added value. Also, higher scores will be given to proposals with novel approaches or those targeting underexplored sectors within the ecosystem.

3. Budget Dept
   Budgets must be detailed, justified, and aligned with the expected impact. A clear breakdown of expenses must be included, explaining how each cost contributes to achieving the project’s objectives. Funds reception and distributions require proper and transparent management.

4. Roadmap and Milestones
   We expect proposals with clear execution plans, defined milestones, and measurable objectives. Proposals with vague roadmaps or unrealistic timelines will not be considered. For events: logistics, geographical reach, and alignment with the TSB ecosystem will be evaluated. For educational and institutional initiatives, a detailed implementation plan, including development phases and adoption strategies is required.

5. Impact, Outcomes, and Metrics
   Proposals must include clear KPIs and mechanisms to assess their impact on the community. A commitment to the community through periodic reports and transparency in project execution is expected.

6. Long-Term Perspective
   We favor proposals with a long-term vision that ensures continuity and sustained ecosystem growth. Higher scores will be given to initiatives that propose scalability or continuity strategies beyond the grant period. For events, we expect an approach that fosters participant retention and further engagement within the TSB ecosystem. In educational initiatives, the creation of reusable content with a lasting impact on the community will be highly valued.

Additional info

It’s worth mentioning that as DAs we have a high commitment in making the process run as smoothly and transparently as possible, two gold standards in our books. In that sense, creating and supporting communication channels, information hubs, consistent and accessible reporting are some of the tasks you can expect from us if elected as DAs alongside being highly accessible and accountable.

In that sense, this should be taken as a first experiment to iterate on and therefore we are supportive of having a rather conservative budget that can always be expanded on or not based on the DAOs decision in the future. We are familiar and supportive of the Questbook model and platform, which will surely showcase the metaverse into a new builder audience that will hopefully engage and push TSB into new horizons.

[TheVisionEx]

BIO

My name is Joseph Madding, I’m a 5 year veteran Game Tester, Marketer, and Live Stream creator for The Sandbox Game. I currently own and operate The Council Tech, a company built in partnership with The Sandbox for the explicit purpose of testing games and experiences in Season and Game Maker Fund (GMF) content releases.

I have extensive experience in Personnel and Project Management, and deep understanding of the full stack of softwares in The Sandbox Game ecosystem. In this experience, I personally oversaw all testing for GMF releases, amounting to hundreds of tests to guide developers who were sponsored by TSB directly, under NDA as products prepared for Alpha Season 2, 3, 4, 5, and intermittent seasonal content between these major releases. During this time, it was my responsibility to serve as a lead on the team designing documentation, procedures, and timelines for developer-to-tester relations.

Given the nature of the NDA that I still hold with and for The Sandbox, I can’t publicly discuss the full details of our documentation or history, though in a private call with those given authority, this would be permissible.

Some experiences that I directly affected in a positive way include

• Alpha Season 2 - Dungeon of Dum-Yz
• Alpha Season 2 - Aldrak Garrison
• GMF - BAYC - Monkeying Around
• GMF - Gamblux - Lady Pixy
• Game Jam - Atari
• GMF - HSBC - Metaverse Stadium
• French Week - Love In Paris
• Thai Week - Songkran Waterfight
• Ramadan Event - Sahoor Drummer
• May Fest - Everest, Parts 1-3
• May Fest - Carebears: The Forest of Feelings
• Belonging Week - World of Women Museum
• TSB Partner Test - CHARLES & KEITH: Summer’s Calling
• Steve Aoki LAND - Curate 9 UGC experiences
• Playboy LAND - Curate 9 UGC experiences
• Winter Event - Pixlvill: Evertree
• Winter Event - French Red Cross experiences 1-3
• Love & Music Event - Romantic Melody
  [This list continues for 1800 tests and counting]

Given this extensive experience, I believe I am personally suited to the task of Domain 2: Season Rewards and Game Creation

Vision for proposals

As Domain Allocator for Season Rewards and Game Creation, we look to make engaging and high quality content that will drive players to The Sandbox. Games and experiences should be fun first, not focused on rewards. As we create highly engaging games and experiences, players will be excited to integrate into the ecosystem and begin creating themselves, similarly to how Fortnite Creator and the Roblox ecosystems work. Rewards allocations can be distributed to developers who create this high quality content first, with Season content being an added bonus for the player’s time in this UGC-focused system.

Criteria for eligibility is as follows:

• Do developers understand FTUE - First Time User Experience
• Is Navigation in an experience Easily Managable, or ramping in difficulty appropriate to the game type pitched.
• Is the Camera managed properly, rather than being obstructed in an undue way throughout the experience.
• Is the level designed in a consistent manner aesthetically, and free of collisions where collisions should not be present
• Do arts have correct scaling, hitboxes, animations, and intentional design
• Can the developer pitch and design a strong narrative in their experiences, where appropriate
• Are experiences playable, and replayable appropriate to their design, ensuring the maximum number of players engaged with the product

Onboarding of Development Teams Eligible for those requirements above; Developers must understand the following before being eligible to create for a Season of content

• Terraforming
• Navigation
• Metrics/Latency
• Logic & Quests
• UX/UI/Audio

A standardized test may be given to development teams by the Domain Allocator to ensure that these basic concepts are understood before Grants are agreed upon, whereas the Grant remains reliant on the ability to execute the functions of the Criteria for Eligibility throughout the development process.

[Money]

I am flexible in this and willing to work with the first two Domains as well to help round out the Allocator team and program.
Domain 1: Web 3 Ecosystem Integration
Domain 2: Season Rewards & Game Creation

[yuelwolf]

Bio & Experience:
I am a seasoned Game Producer, Software Developer, and CEO of Ashara Studios and Chrysalis Guild, the first Latin American guild focused on the adoption of The Sandbox and all its tools. With over eight years in the gaming industry and a background in software development for Silicon Valley startups, I have successfully led teams in the creation of Web3-integrated games and platforms. My experience includes launching multiple top-performing experiences in The Sandbox, developing blockchain-based gaming ecosystems, and pioneering educational initiatives for onboarding new users into Web3 gaming. Ashara Studios has been recognized as one of the leading studios in The Sandbox, consistently ranking among the top in player engagement and innovation.

Preferred Domains:

• Domain 1: Web3 Ecosystem Integration
• Domain 3: Education, Onboarding & Technology

Vision for Proposals to Drive DAO Success:
Proposals should focus on strengthening The Sandbox ecosystem by driving deeper Web3 integration, improving accessibility, and fostering long-term engagement. This includes developing blockchain-based mechanics that enhance player ownership, establishing structured onboarding programs to introduce new users seamlessly, and creating high-quality content that keeps the community engaged. Successful proposals should bridge the gap between traditional gaming and Web3, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation within The Sandbox metaverse.

Criteria for Fair & Efficient Grant Allocation:

• Innovation & Scalability: Projects must demonstrate a clear, scalable model that aligns with the DAO’s long-term vision.
• Sustainability: Preference will be given to initiatives that show a viable economic model and long-term impact.
• Community Impact: Proposals should contribute to the growth and engagement of The Sandbox and the broader Web3 ecosystem.
• Technical Feasibility: Teams must have a clear roadmap and the technical expertise to execute their vision.

Additional Information:
I am the leader of Chrysalis Quest SIP 24, a recently approved project that aims to enhance engagement within The Sandbox ecosystem. Additionally, I have led various incubators and game jams within Ashara Studios that have evolved into impactful software projects across sectors such as legal, energy, and advertising. Moreover, through Chrysalis Academy, we have educated over 100 children in Colombia on how to use The Sandbox tools, fostering the next generation of metaverse creators. My network includes top-tier advisors, blockchain developers, and gaming studios, positioning me to bring high-value partnerships and collaborations to the DAO.

Note: I am not applying for Domain 2 as it would create a conflict of interest with potential game proposals from Ashara Studios in the future.

[Lanzer]

Nice, I’m happy to see different nominees put their name in the hat!

[theKuntaMC]

Thanks for throwing your names in the hat, @Lanzer, @yuelwolf, @TheVisionEx, @Money, @Ivey…

You’ve probably already been contacted by Geraldine to start the process…

How about we do a Spaces for this next week on X?

I’m in California, so my morning usually aligns with the rest of the world reasonably well (except Asia)… How about Thursday or Friday?

While there are only 5 candidates for 5 seats, I still want to encourage you each to campaign a bit with the community, to help establish wider trust and confidence in yourselves personally as well as in the SDGP and the overall DAO.

Ping me in DMs anytime…

The Sandbox DAO

[Lanzer]

Sounds good! Thursday works best for me. This week I’m still on PTO for Little Lanzer so should be good to go all day for an X Space

[Money]

Sounds good. I am just up above in the Pacific NW and can definitely do Thursday! I will DM as well. Thanks!

[TheVisionEx]

I could do Thursday as well. Let’s do it!

[theKuntaMC]

We’re looking good for Thursday

I’ve got meetings until 9:30am California

So, how about 10am PST on Thursday?
@Lanzer @Money @TheVisionEx
If so, I’ll schedule on X and start promo ASAP

@yuelwolf @Ivey – whatcha think?

[Lanzer]

Yeah that should be fine with me

[Ivey]

Sure thing! Time works for me

[theKuntaMC]

Join us on Twitter Spaces this Thursday!

The Sandbox DAO

[theKuntaMC]

The SPACES link above now links to the recording

With the 5 candidates all on stage, we dove deeper into their:

1. Qualifications
2. Motivations
3. Plans on dealing with conflicts of interest
4. Reporting and communications styles

[Lanzer]

And its AI transcript, full with summaries and clickable timestamps!

https://www.twitterspacegpt.com/results/1MYGNwNVnYnJw

[Lanzer]

@Geraldine If the same person wins both the Education and Community categories, what happens?