[GIP-285] Gearbox Foundation Budget 2026-2027

Author:

Gearbox Foundation (acting by DAObox Inc.)

Summary:

By adopting this resolution, the GEAR DAO approves and authorises a grant of USD 122,790 to the Gearbox Foundation to cover infrastructure and operational costs for the period from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027.

Background and Motivation

In September 2025, the GEAR DAO approved a budget allocation to the Gearbox Foundation (the "Foundation") in the amount of USD 114,070 for a 12-month period (September 2025 - September 2026), covering infrastructure maintenance, legal fees, corporate continuation, transaction fees, and a reserve for unforeseen expenses. Notice 9/25 to GEAR DAO (link), GIP-256 (voting link).

Since the adoption of that budget, the Foundation's infrastructure costs have increased significantly beyond the projections set out in the September 2025 notice. The Foundation therefore hereby submits this supplemental budget request to the GEAR DAO.

As noted in the September 2025 notice, infrastructure maintenance costs had already risen sharply, from approximately USD 1,300 per month in 2024 to approximately USD 5,670 per month as of mid-2025.

Since that time, costs continued to grow, eventually reaching over USD 8,000 per month. Following discussions with contributors, we were able to reduce a portion of the infrastructure expenses, and as of the date of this notice, monthly costs stand at approximately USD 6,500, which still represents a meaningful increase relative to the September 2025 projections. This increase reflects ongoing infrastructure expansions driven by DAO contributors' operational requirements and the continued development of the Gearbox protocol.

As of the date of this notice, the remaining balance in the Foundation's multisig wallet stands at less than USD 10,000. Based on the current monthly expenditure run-rate, the existing budget allocation is expected to be fully exhausted in June 2026, ahead of the September 2026 expiry of the current budget period.

DAO Resolution

Budget Proposal & Grant Request

As noted above, we expect the current budget to be exhausted in June 2026. Accordingly, the Foundation requests a grant from the GEAR DAO to cover infrastructure and operational costs, as well as reserve funds, for a 12-month period from approximately July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027:

• USD 77,990 - Infrastructure Maintenance Costs (calculated at approx. USD 6,500 per month over 12 months) ¹
• USD 2,000 - Transaction Fees
• USD 6,800 - Corporate Continuation (Foundation) for the Year 2027
• USD 6,000 - Corporate Continuation (DAO LLC) for the Year 2027
• USD 20,000 - Reserve for Legal and Other Professional Fees, and Related Disbursements
• USD 10,000 - Reserve for Unforeseen Expenses.
  Total Grant Request: USD 122,790

The detailed calculation of Infrastructure Maintenance Costs can be found in the files attached to Notice 12/26 | Gearbox Foundation Budget 2026-2027 (Action Required) on Discord via the link

¹ Infrastructure costs are estimates and may vary from month to month depending on operational requirements.

By adopting this resolution, the GEAR DAO approves and authorises a grant in the amount of USD 122,790 to the Gearbox Foundation, to be disbursed in two tranches of 50% each.

The first tranche of USD 61,395 shall be transferred promptly upon adoption of this resolution by the DAO.

The second tranche of up to USD 61,395 shall be transferred in November 2026, provided that it may be reduced if further infrastructure cost savings are achieved in the intervening period, in which case the Foundation shall notify the DAO accordingly.

The grant may be allocated in USDT/USDC to the Foundation's designated wallet, as notified by the Foundation to the GEAR DAO or the relevant DAO contributors.