> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.boundlessfi.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ways to earn

> The three ways to earn on Boundless, bounties, hackathons, and grants, and how they differ.

> **TL;DR:** You can earn on Boundless by winning bounties, competing in hackathons, or delivering grant milestones. All three pay in USDC, all three build one shared reputation, and you can do all three from a single account.

## The three ways to earn

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Bounties" icon="bullseye" href="/contributors/bounties/overview">
    Paid tasks. Apply or submit your work, and the best submission wins.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hackathons" icon="trophy" href="/contributors/hackathons/overview">
    Time-boxed events. Build a project, submit it, and win a share of the prize pool.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Grants" icon="seedling" href="/contributors/grants/overview">
    Milestone funding. Apply with a plan, get selected, and get paid as you ship each milestone.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## How they differ

|                       | Bounties                            | Hackathons                              | Grants                                           |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Shape of work**     | A single task                       | A project built in a set window         | A larger effort split into milestones            |
| **How you're chosen** | Apply and/or submit; best work wins | Register, then judges score submissions | Apply with milestones; organizer selects winners |
| **How you're paid**   | One payout on selection             | A share of the prize pool               | One payout per approved milestone                |
| **Uses Credits?**     | Yes, to apply and submit            | No                                      | No                                               |

## Getting started

1. [Find opportunities](/contributors/find-opportunities) across every pillar.
2. Read the rules for the one you want, then apply, submit, or register.
3. When work is approved, escrow settles your payout in USDC, usually within about a minute.

## Everything you earn builds your reputation

Your track record is shared across all four pillars. Winning a bounty makes you more credible for a hackathon; delivering a grant makes you more credible for the next one. See [Reputation](/concepts/reputation).

## Next steps

* [Find opportunities](/contributors/find-opportunities)
* [Your wallet and withdrawals](/contributors/get-paid/wallet-and-withdrawals)
* [Earn and spend Credits](/contributors/get-paid/credits)