Quote from: JoeGreen on May 15, 2015, 07:30:40 AM

Does The Grantcoin Foundation only care about helping businesses and companies?

What about "people" that are in serious financial need for things like healthcare, food, clothing, education, transportation etc...?

We need a coin that will help people in "serious need" not just businesses.

In your Youtube video you mention growing inequality, human well being and that Grantcoin is "Powered by the People", but you only help companies and businesses? Do you see my point?

I see your point, and certainly helping impoverished people directly is a worthy goal. But here are a couple of other points to consider:

1. The Grantcoin project is trying to shift the incentives in the economy away from the "profit only" model towards a balance between profitability and other values such as social good and environmental protection. Grantcoin business grants are an economic incentive program to reward companies that are doing business this way. If Grantcoin catches on, it could become a significant financial incentive and some businesses might change their behavior in order to qualify for grants of the currency. This would actually move the economy in the direction of sustainability. It could change the norms of how business is done. Grants to individuals in poverty, while a noble act, would not produce this systemic shift in the economy that Grantcoin is trying to create.

2. For a cryptocurrency to gain value, it has to catch on with businesses, not just individuals. Business adoption is a major driver of value of any alternative currency. If there's nowhere to spend it, then it's nothing more than a speculative pump which will eventually be dumped. Therefore, Grantcoin is focused on appealing to businesses that have values that match the Grantcoin economic vision, so that these businesses will adopt Grantcoin as a payment method for their customers. Giving grants to businesses, like a good corporate citizen rewards program, will encourage these kind of businesses to allow customers to pay with Grantcoin -- especially because, under our "Proof of Participation" system, businesses will not only have to meet criteria of sustainability, but they will also have to accept Grantcoin as a form of payment in order to qualify to receive grants of the currency from the Grantcoin Foundation.

Having said that, 8% of the Grantcoin currency reserve will be granted to individuals as part of our #GrantMe program, in these categories:

Sustainability Pioneers Small-scale organic farmers, renewable energy generators, and others who are putting green, sustainable values into practice.
Young Visionaries Students and young people who aspire to build lives and careers of conscience and are taking concrete steps to pursue their dreams.
Everyday Heroes Regular folks who work tirelessly, in their own families, careers, and communities, to help people and make the world a more compassionate and decent place.
Artists and Musicians People who are using the arts and music to bring out the best in human beings and inspire the spread of beautiful ideas and actions.

Another 2% will be granted to Charities and Nonprofits as part of the same program Any organizations focused on helping people and the planet and creating a better future, e.g. fighting poverty and disease, expanding education, promoting sustainable economic development, protecting and preserving the environment, defending human rights or the rights of animals and the ecosystem, and more.

Also there is a Founder's Charity Fund which will be 0.5% of the distribution.