Where to start with: Web3

Where to start with: Web3

Web3 is the next evolution of the internet built on decentralised technologies such as blockchain that enable people to own and control their data, digital assets and identities without relying on central intermediaries. At the GSR Foundation, we see these technologies as an important development in how the charity and social impact sectors collaborate, fund and build trust.

Web3 offers new opportunities for transparency, coordination and community-led innovation, yet for many, it still feels complex and inaccessible. The terminology can be confusing, the tools unfamiliar, and much of what exists is built for technologists, not practitioners. We have produced a guide to common terminology for your reference that you can view here.

With our founding partner, GSR, being a leading cryptocurrency firm it is natural for the GSR Foundation to take an interest in blockchain technology, particularly cryptocurrency and the role it can play in evolving aid modalities and fundraising practice. By sharing our learning and investing in the ecosystem, we hope to make that journey simpler for socially purposed organisations.

Web3 is already transforming how value moves, how communities organise, and how impact is verified. Our goal is to ensure that charities, educators and social innovators have the confidence and infrastructure to explore it responsibly, moving from curiosity to practical application.

We recommend:
Our partners at Crypto Altruists have developed the Web3 Impact Toolkit; a free, modular onboarding resource designed specifically for nonprofit professionals, social innovators, educators and civic teams.

The toolkit simplifies the complex world of Web3 and shows how blockchain can be used for social and environmental good. It offers step-by-step guidance, real-world examples and plain-language explainers across topics such as wallets, digital identity, funding transparency, governance, impact evaluation, tokenisation and the intersection of AI and Web3.

Each section turns abstract ideas into practical use cases, helping mission-driven teams move from exploration to confident experimentation. The content is hosted in Notion, making it flexible and shareable, perfect for individuals learning independently or for teams running workshops and guided sprints. It’s also an open platform, allowing partners to share examples, contribute learning and help build foundational onboarding infrastructure for the Web3 impact space.

Starting to use it:
We recognise for many charities current priorities are centred around survival more than innovation, but we suggest:
- Building awareness of new tech by exploring the Web3 Impact Toolkit. 
-Make readiness intentional by adding Web3 to board and staff discussions, identifying internal champions and treating blockchain literacy as a growing capability.

In summary:
Web3 is starting to reshape how communities coordinate and how trust is built online. For the charity sector, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to explore how decentralised systems can strengthen transparency, resilience and reach.

The Crypto Altruists Web3 Impact Toolkit, developed with support from the GSR Foundation, provides a clear and accessible path from key concepts to real-world application.

Building understanding in this way reflects our commitment to digital infrastructure, innovation and inclusion. GSR Foundation is proud to sponsor Crypto Altruists’ work and to champion this toolkit as the ideal starting point for mission-driven organisations ready to explore how Web3 can amplify their impact and build a more sustainable, equitable future.