Gitcoin shutters Grants Lab amid strategic reorganization

Gitcoin, a platform known for funding public goods, announced it will shutter Grants Lab, its primary software development unit. The decision represents a significant shift in Gitcoin’s operational structure and reflects broader changes within the ecosystem.

Kevin Owocki, a Gitcoin veteran of seven years, described the move as one of the most difficult decisions since the organization’s inception. Several key members of the Grants Lab team will depart as a result, many of whom were central to its development.

The closure follows a period of internal reassessment driven by both external and organizational factors. In recent months, the funding landscape for public goods has undergone notable transformation.

The maturation of Layer 2 networks, the rise of new coordination models, and an influx of new players have altered the environment in which Gitcoin operates. Concurrently, the departure of pivotal team members from Grants Lab contributed to the decision to reevaluate its future.

Gitcoin leadership stated that the decision followed extensive deliberations. Financial modeling, consultations with community stakeholders, and strategic forecasting informed the move.

The organization emphasized its responsibility to Gitcoin’s treasury stewards and its broader community. Grants Lab will not request additional funding for the second half of 2025; instead, remaining resources will be directed toward severance and transition support for affected employees.

Despite the structural changes, Gitcoin’s mission to fund public goods remains intact. Owocki, in a public statement, affirmed that Gitcoin would continue its work with a leaner team, concentrating efforts on the Gitcoin Grants program and asset management.

As part of the transition, Gitcoin confirmed that Grants Stack, a tool maintained by Grants Lab, will cease operations on May 31, 2025. Support and maintenance for the deployed instance will also end on that date, officially concluding the lab’s technical operations.

The move reflects a broader recalibration within Gitcoin as it seeks to align its resources with shifting priorities and a changing market. By narrowing its focus, Gitcoin aims to sustain its core mission while adapting to a funding environment that increasingly demands agility and specialization.

No future plans for redeployment of Grants Lab projects or personnel have been announced.