From a $100K matching challenge in 2017 to a $400,000 donation in 2020, BEN co-founder Jeremy Gardner bet big on borderless blockchain education for students worldwide.
The challenge
Blockchain technology has evolved significantly from its early geeky, white, cypher-punk roots. When I entered the space in late 2013, I recognized a critical problem: the lack of diversity made a true crypto-economy impossible if only Western libertarian males participated.
This concern prompted me to co-found the Blockchain Education Network (BEN), initially called the College Cryptocurrency Network, in early 2014. What began as scattered university Bitcoin clubs transformed into a global initiative spanning over 120 institutions across 20+ countries on every continent.
What BEN has built
BEN's reach extended from Cambridge, where members distributed Bitcoin to MIT undergraduates, to Sierra Leone, where we attempted bitcoin-based humanitarian efforts. Students associated with BEN later joined founding teams at Augur, Bolt, Coinlist, IOTA, and QTUM.
The network didn't grow because of money. It grew because students believed in the mission. Executive directors Dean Masley and Jinglan Wang took on a thankless job with zero salary, pouring their time and energy into something they believed mattered.
The matching pledge
I made an initial $10,000 donation and committed to matching all other contributions through December 31, up to $100,000 total.
Any young person, regardless of their socioeconomic background, should have access to blockchain industry opportunities. That's why BEN exists, and that's why this challenge matters.
BEN operates as a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accepts donations in both USD and cryptocurrency. Every dollar goes toward putting students in rooms they wouldn't otherwise be in, giving them skills the traditional education system hasn't caught up to, and connecting them with people who are building the future.
Why it matters
The blockchain industry needs more than engineers. It needs diverse voices, fresh perspectives, and people who understand that this technology can reshape access to finance, governance, and opportunity worldwide.
If you believe in that vision, join the challenge.
Three years later: $400,000
In December 2020, Jeremy renewed the matching challenge, posting on X:
"Will anyone match my $10k match? For every dollar donated, we each donate a dollar. Willing to match higher! Best way to offset crypto gains is to donate them directly."
Then on December 31, 2020, he announced the largest individual donation in BEN's history:
"I'm pleased to announce I've donated $400k to @BlockchainEdu ensuring that young people of all backgrounds are empowered to understand and implement blockchain technology for the betterment of humanity. This org was critical to my success and I hope I will inspire others to give."
$400,000. From the same person who co-founded the organization as a college student in 2014. The message was clear: this wasn't a one-time publicity move. Jeremy kept showing up for the mission he helped start because he saw what it did for real people.
One of those people, a BEN member named JuellZ3, replied publicly:
"BEN helped me get exposure to new crypto concepts before mainstream. The experience to attend ETHDenver was invaluable. You're a trailblazer for the youth."
BEN's work continued to grow between those years, reaching more universities, more countries, and more students who went on to build careers and companies in blockchain. The donations made during these challenges helped fund hackathons, fly students to conferences, and keep the network running when there was no corporate sponsor writing the check.
Originally published on HackerNoon on December 27, 2017. The 2020 matching challenge was announced on X/Twitter on December 15, 2020.