Sponsored Event
In my day job, I’m responsible (among other things) for our efforts to integrate block chain and supply chain. Most of this relies on Smart Contracts. In order to learn more about them, I did a project last year that let me get in-depth.
The idea came about while my wonderful other half was organising a sponsored walk – Museum Marathon Edinburgh. It should be possible to create a sponsored event then manage funds and pledges through a smart contract. Unfortunately, I didn't get the project completed in time but I did manage to build Sponsored Event (possibly my most uninspired project name ever).
This can be used to manage, collect and distribute donations for any kind of charity event – sponsored walk, climb, run, pogo-stick marathon, etc.
No more chasing people for money after the event. No need to worry about how or whether the money makes it to the charity.
This contract also allows cancellation and withdrawal from the event. In that case, the participant's initial sign-up fee is transferred to the receiving charity but any pledges are returned to the sponsor.
Additional information about the event (description, title, images) should be stored off-chain in another database.
I built it almost 12 months ago but just updated it to use the latest version of Solidity. Due to the fast-paced nature of these things, it may or may not still work. Who knows?
Web App Structure
The web app uses web3.js to interact with the smart contract SponsoredEvent.sol. It can also interact with a separate content database to keep as much non-critical data off the blockchain as possible.
Key Concepts
The Event
An event for charity where someone must complete all or part of something. In exchange someone else pledges to give money to a recipient.
The Recipient
The charity or body receiving the funds at the end. They don't need to do anything except have an account capable of receiving the funds.
The Organiser
The person creating the event specifying the name, date, description and designating the account of The Recipient. This account is the owner of The Event.
The Participant
The person actually taking part in The Event. This person signs up for the event and commits to taking part. They are given a unique URL which The Sponsor can use to pledge money. Participants are charged a sign-up fee.
The Sponsor
The source of the funds. This party has promised to donate money to The Recipient if The Participant takes part in The Event. They can include a message along with their pledge.
Cancellation
If the event is cancelled, all pledged money is automatically returned to The Sponsor. Sign-up fees are returned to The Participant.
Withdrawal from the event
If The Participant withdraws, all money pledged to them is automatically available for The Sponsor to reclaim. The participant's sign-up fee is not returned.
Ending the event
The Organiser can mark an event as Ended. This will transfer completed pledges and sign-up fees to The Recipient.
Retrieval of funds
Once the event has ended, The Sponsor is able to reclaim any funds donated to Participants who did not complete the event. The funds are not automatically returned as The Event may not have enough to cover the transaction fees.
Closing the contract
After a period of time following the end of an event, The Organiser will close the event. This will transfer any remaining balance to The Recipient.
Contract Lifecycle
Each Sponsored Event contract starts when The Organiser creates it and deploys it on the blockchain. From that point, The Participants can sign up and The Sponsors can make pledges.
Source
You can get the source on github and deploy it against a test network or run Ganache locally. Whatever you do, don't throw actual money against it. That would be a terrible idea.
