• Yes, and I know it’s counter to the core motivations of this movement, but probably need a centralized repository for donation that can be a universal door for funds that can then be distributed to vulnerable, but active, instances. Needs to be run by a collective of reps from instances meeting a minimum threshold of support for the community. Also needs to be nimble enough to revoke funding is an instance takes a hard evil turn.

    Or maybe just an app/site that recommends a distribution of a set monthly amount (e.g. 30 bucks) to the instances you use the most as a user?

    • I don’t think we need that at all. Each instance can look after its own hosting and funding.

      A centralised pot is asking for trouble - what about theft or corruption? What happens about disagreements like defederation? Seems a lot more trouble than it’s worth.

      • I hear you, but with funding you want to remove barriers when someone has that moment of generosity. I deliberately said it was counter and not an easy solve by any means, but if I decide to donate, then start to think…

        • which instance?
        • do I think they have longevity?
        • do I support more than one?
        • If yes to above, what’s the split?
        • had I looked into people’s ethics enough to donate money to them
        • etc., etc.

        All that is a great way for me to say, “I’ll get to this later when I have time” and ultimately not donate at all - even if I had the initial impulse to do so.

        Versus, this is the pot, it’s vetted, or had a transparent structure and communal management and a plan to distribute based on need.

        If we’re serious about this place maintaining at scale (or better, collection of places) it’s a hard problem we might want to invest time in.