Dedicated Domain Allocation (DDA) is a decentralized funding framework that distributes capital allocation authority to trusted specialists — domain stewards — rather than centralizing decisions in a single committee. Each steward manages funding within a clearly defined area like DevRel, Governance, Ecosystem, or Research.
How It Works
Rather than routing all funding decisions through one body, DDA creates parallel decision-making structures staffed by subject-matter experts.
- Define domains — the ecosystem identifies distinct funding areas (e.g., Dev Tools, Governance, Research, Community)
- Appoint stewards — experienced individuals with relevant expertise and community credibility are selected for each domain
- Allocate capital pools — each domain receives a dedicated budget from the treasury
- Stewards evaluate and fund — within their mandate, stewards source, evaluate, and approve grants independently
- Assess performance — each domain's impact is independently assessed based on transparency and outcome metrics
Advantages
- Matches expert knowledge to allocation decisions — stewards understand what's needed in their domain
- Enables simultaneous funding rounds across multiple domains without bottlenecks
- Enhances accountability — each domain's performance can be independently assessed
- Eliminates centralized decision-making bottlenecks
Limitations
- May introduce unnecessary complexity in small communities
- Requires clear consensus on who holds decision-making authority
- Struggles with cross-domain or ad-hoc projects that don't fit neatly into one area
- Risk of siloed thinking — domains may optimize locally rather than for the ecosystem
Best Used When
- Large or expanding ecosystems with multiple distinct focus areas
- DAOs with enough scale to justify specialized stewardship
- Protocol treasuries needing structured, accountable allocation
- Organizations seeking decentralized yet aligned governance
Examples and Use Cases
Protocol Treasury Delegation
A protocol treasury delegates authority to four stewards managing Dev Tools, Governance, Ecosystem, and Research. Each steward runs their own evaluation process and reports outcomes to the broader community.
Rotating Steward Models
Communities rotate stewards periodically, onboarding new decision-makers per domain to prevent capture and bring fresh perspectives.
Bioregional Networks
Bioregional funding networks distribute capital through locally-accountable stewards who understand regional needs and contexts.