JOULE CONTRIBUTION TIERS

The Rising Tide System

Liana Banyan Corporation Created: December 1, 2025

OVERVIEW

Joules are stored-value currency that lock in the exchange rate at time of purchase (the “forever stamp” mechanic). Large Joule purchases are available through the medallion system, but require matching Credit commitment in platform projects.

This ensures large contributions benefit the entire ecosystem, not just the contributor.

Principle: “The Rising Tide — Your Contribution Lifts All Boats”

CONTRIBUTION TIERS

FOR-PROFIT PROJECTS (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, etc.)

Example — Orca Tier ($20,000):

• Contributor purchases: $20,000 in Joules
• Required Credit match: $15,000 (75%)
• Total commitment: $35,000
• Contributor receives: 20,000 Joules (locked at today’s rate)
• Project receives: $15,000 in immediate funding
• Contributor also receives: Stake in funded project proportional to contribution

Example — Leviathan Tier ($1,000,000):

• Contributor purchases: $1,000,000 in Joules
• Required Credit match: $1,500,000 (150%)
• Total commitment: $2,500,000
• Contributor receives: 1,000,000 Joules (locked at today’s rate)
• Project receives: $1,500,000 in immediate funding
• Result: Massive project capitalization, large contributor influence buffered through Joules

CHARITABLE PROJECTS (Defense Klaus, Initiatives, Foundation Programs)

Example — Charitable Contribution ($10,000,000):

• Contributor purchases: $10,000,000 in Joules (charitable designation)
• Required Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
• Total commitment: $11,000,000
• Contributor receives: 10,000,000 Joules + tax write-off
• Charitable fund receives: Full designation benefit
• Matching pool receives: $1,000,000 for project support
• Result: Charitable cause funded, other projects supported, contributor gets tax benefit + stored value

CREDIT MATCH DESTINATIONS

Contributors choose where their Credit match goes:

Option A: Specific Project

• Select from active projects (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, Defense Klaus, etc.)
• Credits fund that project directly
• Contributor receives stake in selected project

Option B: Support Projects Pool

• Credits enter the “50% Matching Fund”
• Fund matches small project contributions at 50%
• Spreads benefit across emerging projects

Option C: Designated Initiative

• Credits fund a specific initiative (education, food access, healthcare, etc.)
• Works through Liana Banyan Foundation (501c3)
• May qualify for additional tax benefits

TAX TREATMENT

For-Profit Participation

• Joules: Not immediately taxable (stored value)
• Credit match: Capital contribution to project
• Returns: Subject to K-1 reporting when project generates profit/loss
• Requires: LLC formation for project, K-1 distribution to participants

Charitable Contribution

• Joules: Not immediately taxable (stored value)
• Credit match: Charitable donation (tax deductible)
• Tax letter: Provided by Liana Banyan Foundation
• Requires: 501c3 status (Rally Group / Liana Banyan Foundation)

WHALE BENEFITS BY TIER

THE RISING TIDE MECHANIC

Why this works:

1. Whale money enters as Joules — stored value, not immediate spending power
2. Credit match funds projects immediately — ecosystem benefits now
3. Joules convert gradually — whale influence is time-buffered
4. Higher tiers = higher match — biggest whales contribute most to ecosystem
5. Charitable option — tax incentive drives even more capital to good causes

The Result: Large contributions create a rising tide that lifts all boats, not a tsunami that drowns small participants.

IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Before Launch (Kickstarter)

• Basic tier structure defined ✅
• Messaging for high-value backers

Before Beta

• LLC formation process for projects
• K-1 reporting structure (CPA required)
• Rally Group reinstatement / DBA filing
• Tax letter templates (CPA required)
• Participation agreement templates (legal review)

Before Scale

• Automated tier calculation
• Project selection interface
• Joule/Credit balance tracking
• K-1 generation system
• Charitable designation workflow

LEGAL STRUCTURE

Liana Banyan Corporation

• For-profit entity
• Issues Credits, Marks, Joules
• Manages platform operations
• Holds IP and patents

Project LLCs (e.g., HexIsle LLC)

• Separate LLC per major project
• Participants receive membership units
• K-1 pass-through taxation
• Managed by Liana Banyan Corp or designated manager

Liana Banyan Foundation (Rally Group DBA)

• 501c3 nonprofit
• Operating since 1984, filed 2011
• Handles charitable designations
• Issues tax letters for donations
• Board: Founder + Godfather

CAMPAIGN LANGUAGE

Rising Tide (For-Profit)

“The Rising Tide — Your Contribution Lifts All Boats”

When you contribute at the Dolphin tier or above, your Joules are locked at today’s rate while your Credit match funds real projects. You’re not just building your future — you’re building the platform that makes everyone’s future possible.

Lighthouse Fund (Charitable)

“The Lighthouse Fund — Wealth That Illuminates”

Charitable Joule purchases support causes you care about while banking value for your future. Your tax-deductible contribution funds initiatives like Defense Klaus (protecting service workers) and Let’s Make Bread (community food systems). Light the way.

EXAMPLES

Dolphin — Individual Contributor ($3,000)

• Joules: 3,000 (locked at $1 = 1 Credit)
• Credit match: $1,500 (50%)
• Chooses: HexIsle development
• Total: $4,500 commitment
• Gets: 3,000 Joules + HexIsle stake + Dolphin recognition
• One year later, 1 Credit = $1.50: Joules still worth 3,000 Credits ($4,500 value)

Orca — High-Net-Worth ($25,000)

• Joules: 25,000
• Credit match: $18,750 (75%)
• Chooses: Let’s Make Dinner expansion
• Total: $43,750 commitment
• Gets: 25,000 Joules + LMD stake + Orca recognition + named sponsor credit

Whale — Wealthy Individual ($200,000)

• Joules: 200,000
• Credit match: $200,000 (100%)
• Chooses: Platform infrastructure fund
• Total: $400,000 commitment
• Gets: 200,000 Joules + major stake + advisory input + founding partner status

Leviathan — Institutional ($2,000,000)

• Joules: 2,000,000
• Credit match: $3,000,000 (150%)
• Chooses: HexIsle + Let’s Make Dinner + Defense Klaus split
• Total: $5,000,000 commitment
• Gets: 2,000,000 Joules + major stakes in three projects + named initiative + board advisory

Charitable Whale ($10,000,000)

• Joules: 10,000,000
• Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
• Designates: Defense Klaus legal fund
• Total: $11,000,000 commitment
• Gets: 10,000,000 Joules + tax write-off on full $11M + named fund + legacy recognition
• Defense Klaus: Fully capitalized
• Matching pool: $1,000,000 for other projects

Document Created: December 1, 2025 Part of Innovation #54: Three-Gear Currency Differential FOR THE KEEP ⚔️