This proposal seeks to mandate the Cardano Foundation to publicly disclose all salaries and itemized expenses, aligning with the transparency standards of U.S. non-profits. By implementing clear financial reporting, the community can ensure responsible fund allocation, promote accountability, and strengthen trust in the Foundation’s operations.

The Cardano Foundation plays a critical role in the ecosystem, managing community resources and influencing the platform's development. However, there is currently no public disclosure of employee salaries or detailed financial expenditures. In comparison, U.S. non-profits must adhere to strict transparency standards, including publicly available Form 990 filings, which disclose executive compensation and key expenditures. A lack of financial transparency in the Foundation raises concerns about fund allocation, operational efficiency, and governance integrity. By requiring full disclosure of salaries and itemized expenses, the Cardano community can ensure that funds are managed responsibly, promoting alignment with decentralized governance principles.

This on-chain governance action will require the Cardano Foundation to: 1. Publicly disclose all salaries of employees, executives, and board members. 2. Provide an itemized list of expenses, including operational costs, consulting fees, marketing budgets, and grants. 3. Follow the transparency model of U.S. non-profits, ensuring financial data is easily accessible to the Cardano community. Implementing this change through governance ensures that the Cardano Foundation operates with the same financial integrity expected of traditional non-profits. Greater transparency will enhance trust, improve community oversight, and support the broader goal of decentralization.