[GIP-256] Gearbox Foundation Budget 2025-2026

Author

Gearbox Foundation

Summary

By adopting this resolution, the GEAR DAO ratifies and authorises the grant of USD 114,070 to the Gearbox Foundation.

Background and Motivation

In May 2024, the Gearbox Foundation (the “Foundation”) requested a budget allocation from the DAO in the amount of USD 40,000 for a 12-month period, of which USD 15,558 were allocated for infrastructure maintenance (subscriptions, services, servers, etc.), USD 5,500 for Corporate continuation fees (year 2025), USD 1,263 for Transaction fees, and USD 17,679 as Reserve (unforeseen/other expenses).

As of the date of this proposal, the budget allocated to the Foundation has been nearly fully utilized, with the remaining balance in the multisig wallet standing at approximately USD 1,000. Therefore we hereby propose the approval of the Foundation’s operations budget for the forthcoming twelve months.

DAO Resolution

Budget Proposal

Foundation’s operational expenses have primarily consisted of payments for technical and other infrastructure, third-party platform and service fees, bank and payment charges, incidental legal and professional fees.

Historically, the principal expense category has been technical infrastructure maintenance and subscriptions. Infrastructure maintenance costs have risen sharply, from an estimated USD 1,300 per month in the year 2024, to approximately USD 5,670 per month. This rise, first observed in July–August 2025, reflects infrastructure expansions requested by DAO contributors and may continue to grow. Accordingly, the projected budget has been adjusted to reflect these developments.

Separately, in connection with the release and transition to the next generation of the Gearbox protocol, including the introduction of Permissionless and other updates, the Foundation is requesting a budget allocation to cover legal and related expenses. These expenses are necessary to ensure that the user-facing documentation and overall legal framework remain accurate and aligned with the protocol’s evolving operations. The allocation will fund legal consultancy, documentation, and related aspects, helping the Foundation safeguard the protocol’s continuity and minimize legal or operational risks. The requested amount is $20,000, which is expected to cover current legal fees and disbursements, as well as provide some reserve.

In this regard, the Foundation requests a grant from the GEAR DAO to finance infrastructure and operations for the period from September 2025 to September 2026, in the total amount of USD 114,070, allocated as follows:

● USD 68,040 – Infrastructure Maintenance Costs (calculated at approximately USD 5,670 per month over 12 months) ● USD 1,780 – Transaction Fees ● USD 6,500 – Corporate Continuation for the Year 2026 ● USD 17,750 – Reserve for Unforeseen Expenses ● USD 20,000 – Legal fees and disbursements.

By adopting this resolution, the GEAR DAO ratifies and authorises the grant of USD 114,070 to the Gearbox Foundation. This amount will be transferred in the form of USDC and/or USDT to the foundation’s designated wallet, as may be notified by the foundation to the DAO or appropriate DAO contributors.

Voting

Simple Approve/Reject voting