I understand that it is a TOS violation to trade IRL money for GL items, but would it be a TOS violation if I bought a gift card and gave it to some1 high rank and asked them to use a portion of the GP from the gift card for energy refills for my base?

What kind of gift card? If it's a FB card i don't see an issue as long as you give it to him as a gift. But to be safe i would submit a support ticket to dan.

Uhh, what is a support ticket?

Open up the GL app and scroll down and on the bottom left of the screen click on this link
Galaxy Legion · Report/Contact this App · English (US)

The key to whether there is a TOS violation would be whether or not you expect any compensation in return for the Facebook Credits giftcard (which could be considered the same as cash equivalent).

If you are perfectly ok with giving someone a giftcard and they give you nothing in-game to compensate you for it, then it's not a TOS violation, and through their own gratitude they can voluntarily offer you stuff in-game to show their thanks.

If you are expecting them to contribute energy to your base or give you some sort of in-game item or service, it would be a TOS violation.

Since you have already stated you're expecting base contribution, you'd be violating the TOS.

What happens if they get the card and they want to help you/thank you by donating energy into your base?

that would be their voluntary gift back to you



Think of it this way:
At the grocery store when you buy food the store is expecting money in exchange for that food.
vs.
At Christmas time if you give someone a gift, you are not (or should not be) expecting a gift from them in return, but wouldn't turn down a gift.

You can explain way the trade as a "thank you donation", but should any kind of fraud occurs, you are in no way protected. To have his account banned etc means having yours banned too because both party would be in breach of ToS.

Just be aware of that risk, there is no technical way to stop trading like this due to the grey zone of the ruling, it's just not protected.