Frequently Asked Questions

CivicProof is a political donation transparency platform that uses blockchain technology to create verifiable records of campaign contributions. We help donors see exactly where their money goes and help candidates prove their grassroots support with immutable data.

No. CivicProof is neutral infrastructure for transparent democracy. We do not endorse candidates, take political positions, or favor any party. Any candidate from any party can use CivicProof to demonstrate transparent fundraising.

This is currently a technical demonstration running on Base Sepolia testnet. No real money is involved. When we launch on mainnet, all donations will be processed through real transactions with proper regulatory compliance.

No. CivicProof accepts both credit card and cryptocurrency donations. The blockchain is used for verification and record-keeping, but you can donate using your regular payment methods.

No. Your name, address, and other personal information are never stored on the blockchain. Only an anonymous hash (a scrambled code derived from your information) is recorded on-chain. This allows verification without exposing your identity.

After donating, you receive a transaction hash. You can search for this hash on BaseScan (the blockchain explorer) to see your donation record independently verified. The record shows the amount, timestamp, and candidate - but not your identity.

Federal law limits individual contributions to $3,300 per candidate per election. Some candidates on CivicProof voluntarily accept lower limits: Grassroots candidates cap donations at $200, and MicroGrassroots candidates cap at $100. These limits are enforced automatically by smart contracts.

Refund policies depend on the candidate and payment method. If a refund is issued, it is recorded on the blockchain with a reason code, maintaining the complete audit trail. Contact the campaign directly for refund requests.

Contact us at info@civicproof.us to begin the enrollment process. We will verify your campaign registration and set up your profile on the platform. Setup typically takes 1-2 business days.

CivicProof offers three commitment levels: Standard ($3,300 FEC limit), Grassroots ($200 maximum per donor), and MicroGrassroots ($100 maximum per donor). The blockchain automatically enforces your chosen limit - no exceptions, even for you.

The Grassroots Score (0-100) considers multiple factors: the percentage of donations under $200, the number of unique donors relative to total raised, the average donation size, and whether you maintain your commitment level. Higher scores indicate broader grassroots support.

No. CivicProof is a verification layer, not a payment processor. Funds go directly to your designated campaign bank account. We never hold, control, or have access to your donations.

No. CivicProof provides real-time transparency and verification, but it does not replace your legal obligation to file FEC reports. You must still maintain records and file required reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Yes. We provide embeddable widgets that display your current Grassroots Score, verification badge, and donation statistics. These update in real-time as new donations are recorded.

The smart contract automatically prevents donations that would exceed your cap. If someone tries to donate more than your limit allows, the transaction is rejected before it processes. This happens automatically with no manual intervention needed.

Commitment levels are locked once you start receiving donations. This prevents candidates from claiming grassroots status, building a reputation, then switching to accept large donations. The immutability is a feature, not a bug.

CivicProof runs on Base, a Layer 2 network built on Ethereum and backed by Coinbase. Base offers fast transactions (under 2 seconds), low fees (typically under $0.01), and inherits Ethereum's security guarantees.

No. Once a donation is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be changed or removed by anyone - not the donor, not the candidate, not CivicProof. This immutability is what makes blockchain verification trustworthy.

CivicProof includes pre-authorization checks that verify donor eligibility before processing donations. Foreign nationals and other prohibited sources are blocked at the compliance layer before any transaction occurs.

Yes. All donation records are publicly verifiable on the blockchain. Anyone can independently audit the data without relying on CivicProof. This is the core value proposition: trust through verification, not trust through reputation.

3.95% platform fee on all donations. +1% for crypto donations (USDC conversion). No setup fees. No monthly fees.

Yes. Before completing a donation, you see a full breakdown of the gross amount, processing fees, and net amount going to the campaign. This fee transparency is recorded on-chain alongside the donation itself.