GG24: Structure and Strategy
Following our strategic shift, we’re introducing an approach that balances efficiency with community participation. The new structure features a hybrid model where Gitcoin directly operates OSS domain(s) while opening 4-6 additional domains for community operators.
Thank you to @Sov for your valuable input and your continued work on sensemaking szn.
TL;DR
- Hybrid Model – Gitcoin will directly operate 1+ OSS-focused domain(s) and open 4–6 additional domains for community operators.
- Funding Commitment – Minimum $1.3M from gitcoin.eth, majority to OSS; every approved community domain receives funding.
- Selection Process – Domains sourced from community sensemaking reports → Snapshot vote by GTC holders → top community-operated domains selected for GG24.
- Governance – GTC holders vote on domains through Snapshot.
- Focus – Smaller number of domains for higher quality and impact; flexible funding allocations based on proposal quality and strategic fit.
Background
Gitcoin Grants has a renewed focus on “Funding What Matters:” Where Ethereum funds its foundations and future. We are fundamentally shifting from QF-only to multi-mechanism (first introduced in GG23), being structured through an adaptation of Dedicated Domain Allocation. We continue to be strategic and outcome-centric and not mechanism-centric within the program.
Over the past month, we’ve been conducting sense-making sessions with various stakeholders to understand the ecosystem’s needs and identify priority areas for funding. This process has helped us recognize patterns in funding gaps and community needs, leading to a more focused approach for GG24.
For GG24, we’re intentionally limiting the scope to 4-6 total community-operated domains to ensure quality over quantity. This also allows us to ensure a smooth entry into this evolved structure that we’re implementing within GG.
Domain Structure
Gitcoin-Operated Domain(s)
Gitcoin will directly operate OSS domain(s) in GG24. By continuing to directly operate OSS, we ensure high-quality execution while demonstrating best practices for other domain operators.
We will roll out an announcement on the domain(s) that Gitcoin will be managing, the strategy behind it, as well as the funding mechanisms we’ll be implementing and why, within the next week.
Community-Operated Domains
In GG24 Sensemaking Szn, we invited the community to join us in sensemaking and submit their reports to the Gitcoin forum. Out of these reports, we will identify all eligible reports that will be submitted into a vote to select the top 4-6 community-operated domains.
Funding
We will be allocating a minimum of $1.3M from gitcoin.eth to GG24, allocating the majority to OSS, and allocating to every community-operated domain that gets approved and voted in. We look forward to seeing matching on matching again in GG24, welcoming additional funding from ecosystem partners.
Implementation
Phase 1: Evaluation and Selection
Funding Caps - Each community-operated domain will have a maximum funding allocation, with each funding allocation being more flexible and in line with the quality of the report presented and clear funding needs. It is up to the Gitcoin team to set funding amounts for each domain that will get ratified through governance.
Quality Standards - We reserve the right not to fund a domain if at any time our code of conduct or our general eligibility criteria is violated.
Review & Vote - GTC holders will review all domains and vote on Snapshot that will result in the final domains for GG24.
Phase 2: Voting on Community-Operated Domains
After the Gitcoin team takes a week to aggregate all information from Sensemaking Szn and identify the domains that will be voted on, we will proceed to a Snapshot GTC-holder vote on the top 4-6 domains.
Timeline
| Stage | Date | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Sensemaking Szn Ends | August 15 | Gitcoin + Community |
| Domain Aggregation | August 15 - 22 | Gitcoin |
| Domain Vote on Snapshot | August 22 - 29 | GTC Holders |
| Domains + Funding Announcement for GG24 | September 1 | Gitcoin |
| GG24 Preparations | September - Mid-October | Gitcoin + community domain allocators |
| GG24 | Mid October | Gitcoin + community domain allocators |
| GG24 Retrospective (informs GG25) | December 2025 | Gitcoin |
Key Changes
This structure represents several important evolutions in our approach:
- Hybrid Model – Combining Gitcoin-operated and community-operated domains is a good step towards decentralization, while ensuring Gitcoin continues to set the standard and example of domain operations through its OSS domain(s).
- Focused Scope - Moving to a smaller amount of domains allows for better support and higher impact per domain.
- Flexible Funding - Rather than pre-committing specific amounts to each domain, we’ll allocate funding based on proposal quality and strategic fit.
How to Get Involved
For Community Members with Insights: It’s not too late to contribute to our sensemaking process. If you have insights about ecosystem needs or funding gaps, please submit your sensemaking report by August 15. Your perspective could help shape the final domain selections.
For Ecosystem Partners: Reach out if you’re interested in co-funding specific domains.
For the Broader Community: Provide feedback on this structure and catch up on the latest sensemaking report insights.
GG24 represents an evolution in how Gitcoin approaches grant funding.
By combining direct operation with community involvement, maintaining focus while allowing flexibility, we’re building a more sustainable and impactful strategy-centric grants program.
Please share your thoughts and feedback below.
” in GG24, it just means that it won’t be the only funding mechanism, do let me know if I’m right on the money.