= Sponsor Ciro Santilli's work on OurBigBook.com {scope} is actively looking for donations and contracts so he can continue to work full time on sustainably, and develop free hardcore university-level education for all ages! For \b[1M ] I will quit my job to work on for three more years to try and kickstart \b[The Higher Education Revolution]. Status: \b[~44k / 1M USD]. wink. At \b[4M USD] I retire and work on open STEM forever. I first quit my job 1st June 2024 to work on the project for 1 year after I reached my initial 100k goal mostly via a . In this first year I improved project tech, but didn't go and solve university courses to create super targeted content, and didn't obtain a single contributing user except myself, see a summary at {full}. Day job total compensation as of August 2026 for reference: 205k USD/year. This may be inflated by the AI bubble. I try to keep the value up to date on : https://www.linkedin.com/in/cirosantilli/ For a followup, it would be an interesting experiment to spend on year full time solving as many courses as I can from a world class university in the city where I live in the UK, and adding that as content to the platform to see if that would attract interest, and reaching out directly to course takers at their university environment to try and help them. I intended to do that in year one but my got distracted by tech. It is quite possible that no one has ever done that before in history: a highly motivated technical person with the time and opportunity to do one single thing: help top university students learn their STEM courses better and have more fun doing so. I have in particular identified one course where this would be particularly feasible: the mathematics course, given that much of their course materials, and also their building are quite open. I do sometimes wonder if doing this would be just a waste of my life. But part of me tells me it could generate big interest and is worth a try. It would also be fun for you to watch me continue to commit career seppuku. At \b[4M USD] I retire and work on open STEM projects forever. At these timelines, I can't guarantee it will be specifically on education technology specifically all the way, but I guarantee that whatever it is it will be open and extremely well explained as usual. > It's necessary to be slightly underemployed if you are to do something significant - Total donations to date \b[~144k USD]. Donation breakdown: * 2024-03-18: \$126,352 (!!!): anonymous 1000 donation to self-custody wallet. Further comments: <1000 Monero donation>{full} * 2024-03-13: \$1,375: anonymous 10 donation to self-custody wallet * 2023-11-20: \$14.563: anonymous 100 donation to wallet * 2023-09: \$810: anonymous 0.032 donation to wallet * subscriptions up to 2024-01: \$143,795 More details: {full} \b[Note to potential anonymous crypto donors]: I live in the UK, and after some <1000 monero donation/Barclays regulation>[fun back and forth that included Barclays freezing my account for one week at one point, Barclays finally decided that they do not allow me to receive further anonymous donations]. And I'm pretty sure that the same would happen on any other British bank sooner or later. Therefore, while I continue to accept anonymous donations, \b[they will not count towards my "if I get X I do Y"-type donation goals], since I can't reliably spend that money. If you want to donate in crypto, and clearly give me your real identity and an explanation of how you got the money, then that is fine, it can count. Just be warned that I will need to give that information to my bank and clear it with them beforehand, and if they are still not happy with it, I'll just give it all back. Your identity does not have to be publicly disclosed, only the dates and amounts. But my bank has to know. Now, if you still want to donate a "retirement level amount" and treat me as a guinea pig in "find the best country for money laundering", well, go for it. But I make no promises! I don't want my children to grow up in shitcountries. \b[How to give]: * one time donations: * \b[]: note that Ciro is not a regular crypto user, so you might want to make a smaller test donation and confirm that it worked by [contacting] Ciro before going for colossal amounts (one can dream): * \b[] address: \b[4A1KK4uyLQX7EBgN7uFgUeGt6PPksi91e87xobNq7bT2j4V6LqZHKnkGJTUuCC7TjDNnKpxDd8b9DeNBpSxim8wpSczQvzf]. Secret view key: 7ccaf885ff5540b0ff18927e6ac5da30130afb1eaee09ad95d3c4536a6337e0f. This is a self-custody wallet on a ["clean" dedicated Monero laptop connected the Internet]. I check for incoming transactions from my dirty main laptop via a view-only wallet each weekend. The cash out method used is latest simplest thing that wasn't yet blocked in my country on a given week, the last time that was centralized [swappers]https://x.com/cirosantilli/status/1771900725649371240{ref}. The fact that the cash out method changes weekly confirms that privacy hadn't yet been broken by countries and that Monero is still one of the most useful cryptocurrencies: {full}. For transparency, I announce all non-trivial transactions on social media, and the full list of transactions can be seen by anyone with the secret view key provided. I previously had different addresses, so pre-existing donations on older addresses will not be visible there. * \b[] address: \b[3KRk7f2JgekF6x7QBqPHdZ3pPDuMdY3eWR]. This is a wallet, with no transaction fees accepted from other users. This method has been tested, I have been able to receive funds from this address in 2023. Fees: non-fixed trading feeshttps://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/trading-and-funding/pricing-and-fees/fees{ref} + 0% withdrawal fee on top of any Bitcoin network for on-chain transactionshttps://help.coinbase.com/en/exchange/funding/withdrawing-with-a-uk-bank-account{ref} * \b[] address: \b[0x44cF8C9C015F46d3b2Df730b6492823FD7A91044]. Test transaction recommended. * \b[#Solana] address: \b[DjdaGawoVFdqxJEqpBGsSWuR4G4MVFNiNkAEu89HuKcE]. Test transaction recommended. * \b[#USDC] address: \b[0x1dFABf2cdE6384f6Fdd4e6Dae3B9FA2d323e6F95] * \b[] tag: https://wise.com/pay/me/cirod3[]. No fees apparently? Love it! * \b[]: https://paypal.me/cirosantilli[]. Note that are ignored, and it is perfectly normal if the you see has some extra dots in it. Fees: 2.9% + 0.30 GBPhttps://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees#fixed-fees-donation{ref}. * bank transfer: prove you are rich and you can have my bank details :-) * monthly subscriptions of 1[\$]/month or more on either: * \b[]: https://github.com/sponsors/cirosantilli[]. Fees: 0% for individuals, up to 6% for organizationshttps://docs.github.com/en/sponsors/getting-started-with-github-sponsors/about-github-sponsors{ref} * \b[]: https://www.patreon.com/cirosantilli[]. Fees: 8% pro plan + 1% withdrawal capped at 20 USDhttps://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/11111747095181-Creator-fees{ref}. We are waiting to reach the cap to withdraw! Symbolic 1 dollar/month donation are extremely welcome to signal your interest! This way if a certain critical mass of sponsors is ever reached (~100?), Ciro can start to more actively asking slightly higher amounts to really try to achieve full time self sufficiency. * larger grants/contracts from filthy rich individuals or organizations: contact Ciro as mentioned at: {full} to discuss. Ciro is interested in contracts/voluntary work that would be compatible/synergic with the project. Some possibilities include: * interacting directly with classes of university students to help them learn the class subject, while at the same time spreading the university knowledge outside of the university walls * one-to-one mentoring of individuals of any age that are looking to make an impact in the world, and not just pass their * fixing specific bugs in related projects Ciro has experience in. These could be either via one-off contracts, or on platforms such as: * https://www.bountysource.com/people/25676-ciro-santilli And if you have a different preferred payment mechanism not listed above, please [contact Ciro], and he will set it up. Ciro's current ambitions require him to remain in developed countries, because Ciro wants to [document advanced science and technology] by liaising with top universities, and there is not nearly as much high technology in poor countries. Remaining in developed countries is also a required due to family reasons. \b[If you would like public acknowledgement for your support, Ciro will very gladly give it, just let Ciro know how you'd prefer it]. Due to , many supporters have chosen to be anonymous, and that is totally fine, not everyone is interested in politics, or has a situation where going public is acceptable, so we don't have a standard setup yet, let's build it together. A acknowledgement section at the bottom of this page would be a minimum, but I for larger donations we could add a your advertisement in a locations such as: * near the top of of the , e.g. one of , https://github.com/cirosantilli or https://stackoverflow.com/users/895245 * near the top of https://cirosantilli.com \Video[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqbk9tYb7ek] {title=The problem with education by } {description=In this video exposes his fundamental philosophy regarding why . This philosophy was the key motivation behind the failed .} {height=500} \Video[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOJYx0mmhg] {title=Intro to the } {height=500} \Image[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cirosantilli/media/master/Ciro_Santilli_in_lab_coat_playing_with_pippete.jpg] {title= playing with a at the circa 2017} {description= Although totally disqualified for it, Ciro would really like to understand and explain cool scientific experiments in insane detail [much as he does with computer software], related: * {full} * {full} * {full} * {full} Maybe if he ever gets enough credibility, such opportunities would actually materialize. It could be a bit like , but for and , and backed by text/tree with minimal openly licensed videos. The fact that such opportunities are essentially impossible outside of the boredom of the university system is something we should really change about education. } {height=700} = Why you should give money to Ciro Santilli {parent=sponsor} So that he can work full time on and revolutionize advanced university-level eduction for all ages. Donating to Ciro is the most effective donation per dollar that you can make to: * improve hardcore university-level education for all ages * help make every child into the next // unicorn co-founder Ciro's goal in life is to help kids as young as possible to reach, and the push, the frontiers of human knowledge, linking it to applications that might be the as early as possible. Because nothing is more motivating to students than that feeling of: > Hey, I can actually do something in this area that has never been done before! rather than repeating the same crap that [everyone is already learning]. To do this, Ciro wants to work in parallel both on: * the multi-user website e-learning platform of * creating amazing teaching content that motivates that platform, and that deeply interests Ciro, notably and its related applications: * * * and * slightly more theoretical stuff in somewhat related fields of: * * * continue to dump his brain/research in areas Ciro has expertise in: and Ciro believes that this rare combination of both: * [proven passion and capability] to learn and teach subjects * [proven programming skills], including web development produces a virtuous circle, because Ciro: * wants to learn and teach, so he starts to create content * then he notices the teaching tools are crap * and since he has the ability to actually improve them, he does As explained at and [high flying bird scientist], Ciro is most excited to make contributions at the ["missing middle level of specialization"] that lies around later undergrad and lower grad education: * at lower undergrad level, there is already a lot of free material out there to learn stuff * at upper graduate level and beyond, too few people know about each specific subject, that it becomes hard to factor things out But on that middle sweet spot, Ciro believes that something can be done, in such as way that delivers: * beauty * power in a way that is: * in your face, without requiring you to study for a year * but also giving enough precision to allow you to truly appreciate the beauty of the subject Ciro's programming skills can also be used to create educational, or actually more production-like, simulations and illustrations. Ciro believes that today's society just keep saying over and over: " is good", "STEM is good", "STEM is good" as a mantra, but fails miserably at providing free learning material and interaction opportunities for people to actually learn it at a deep enough level to truly appreciate why "STEM is good". This is what he wants to fix. The following quote is ripped from 's https://www.patreon.com/gwern[Patreon page], and it perfectly synthesizes how Ciro feels as well: \Q[Omar Khayyam also came to the Vizier... but not to ask for title or office. 'The greatest boon you can confer on me,' he said, 'is to let me live in a corner under the shadow of your fortune, to spread wide the advantages of Science, and pray for your long life and prosperity.'] {title=Omar Khayyam's chill out quote} In addition to all of this, financial support also helps Ciro continue his general community support activities: * writing and updating his amazing answers: {full} * saving the world from the CCP: {full} = Accounting method {parent=sponsor} = Budget transparency {synonym} A detailed list of all transactions is kept at: \a[sponsor/budget.js]. Ciro Santilli use the following accounting for this sponsorship calculations. For significant one time donations, he takes the final money received in one of his cash GBP accounts, then he checks how much that is in dollars on Google at the time of cash out, and then writes that amount down as the final dollar value which is what ultimately counts. This exposes Ciro to USD/GBP fluctuations, but it simplifies accounting for donors which is more important, so it is likely worth it. For small regular donations, Ciro just tallies it all up in GBP from time to time and converts it all to dollars in one go as it is not worth spending too much time updating those too often. = Taxation {parent=Accounting method} is a resident. He will register as a "solo trader" (slightly funny legal term) and treat donations that he uses for projects as grants, which pay regular income tax: * * https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/business-income-manual/bim41810 notably: > https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/business-income-manual/bim41810 The rates are given at: https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates and are as of writing: * 0 - £12,570 0% * £12,571 - £50,270: 20% * £50,271 - to £125,140: 40% * £125,140: 45% National insurance is also likely going to be paid: https://www.gov.uk/self-employed-national-insurance-rates: * 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270 * 2% on profits over £50,270 Fortunately however VAT does not need to be paid. The amount that will be declared is the same as he grant amount that was requested, e.g. if 100k USD is requested for 1 year, then 100k USD will be pro-rata declared on that year. Any remaining donations that don't yet meet specific grant goals will be initially treated as cash gifts which pay no tax. If in the future they are used as grant money after further goal amounts are reached, then they will taxed as grants. Note however that if the donor is UK-based and dies within 7 years of the gift being given, inheritance tax has to be paid on them as per: https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax/gifts[], at a maximum of 32% and going to to 0% at 7 years, so let me know from the afterlife. Ciro paid his bill for £24,321.87 (\$32,729.70) on 2026-01-02. Announcements: * https://x.com/cirosantilli/status/2007050289699029361 * https://mastodon.social/@cirosantilli/115825250425782687 = Financial crime preventive measures {parent=Accounting method} Crazy shady crypto people seem to like , so this is in order. For the love of God do dot give us proceeds of crime. Giving to is the worst possible way to launder your money, as donations amounts are clearly publicly disclosed (though not donor identities if they with to remain anonymous), and clear records kept of every donation made (including private note of donor identities if known). Also suspicious donations are promptly reported to the authorities. Donation refunds upon donor's requests are only made at our discretion, and may be declined, unless required by law of course. This is to reduce the risks of us unknowingly serving as money mules or aiding money laundering. believes that he is not require to report large donations to either: * charities have to report anonymous donations of £25,000 or more as "serious incident", but Ciro Santilli does not have a registered charity: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-report-a-serious-incident-in-your-charity[], related: https://docs.ourbigbook.com/project-governance * dealers selling goods over 10,000 euros for cash must make a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/money-laundering-regulations-high-value-dealer-registration[]. However does not sell any goods, only provides services, and services are excluded from the report requirements But note that Ciro will preventively report if there are any further suspicious aspects to any donations received. = Progress updates {parent=sponsor} wants to make sure that you get clear highlights of what your donation money is going into! * updates: https://docs.ourbigbook.com/news * Non- updates: {full} Sponsors also receive the "Ciro's Edit" email newsletter if desired, which contains similar updates to the above, but delivered directly to their inbox. \Video[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=887jyJZnYkA] {title= 2025 one year funded work debrief by } {description=This video debriefs the end of the 1-year-funded <1000 Monero donation> work in 2025, in addition to some personal remarks and what might come next.} = Possibility of a pivot {parent=sponsor} When doing "innovative" things that seem "smart", you often end up noticing that they were actually "old" and "dumb", and that you should instead be doing another "innovative smart" thing. Therefore, there is always a possibility that at some point 's intended project for donation money will change halfway. Ciro however makes the following pledge: everything that comes out of donation money work will be: * * amazingly documented * focused as always. This does not apply to contract work obviously, only donations. = 1000 Monero donation {parent=sponsor} {scope} On 2024-03-18, received an anonymous 1000 donation (worth ~126k USD at the time) to his self-custody wallet, which pushed him over his public plea for 100k USD goal to quit his job for one year. The transaction ID was https://xmrscan.org/tx/5c6af4df39021f3a4a053ef169c9b397e6d6bf6c7e557d3f08e4e1675d7d3eed[`5c6af4df39021f3a4a053ef169c9b397e6d6bf6c7e557d3f08e4e1675d7d3eed`] to self hist custody wallet with address `47kzoCeRMTohJhADejtsGmGimvQKzNsuST7u2aVhAD1VX5WDbh3v1FPUoJoTK3NTJVUgAM3dWCqC4Tmp9KSQaJi6GGYWgYn`. This is a roof generated by his Monero wallet: `InProofV2AVFBmFhofH4GoG5NsaDutkdNWRTaEhuFgHpHTkpprRmuZ54B8FdUwFp71gqfp2jJpDUrhB3GCzZ2p8CNbh2TW1Z88ShmYWEwtkZFLccEMw9PhH3vWcMVo9mKaRsH3WgJXqq9`. Since this donation is so huge, it deserves some comments and a bit of a retrospective. The path to this donation has been an interactive one, and it is described below. After starting the , Ciro started the page on and setup some donation methods to help support the project, and possibly try to capitalize a bit on . His sponsors are absolutely crazy amazing people, but Ciro simply could attract a large enough amount of small sponsors to reach life changing amounts under those circumstances. This is partly due to