I used to try and raise funds for the UK pycon (I was very bad at it) and my biggest takeaway was that most devs were infavour of their company forking over some cash, but "charity" was a tough sell internally. The best results was selling "booths" at the conference. But that had more cost to the sponsor than just the cash we asked for.

I have been mulling on Something that makes it less charity - purchasing a "not really support" option. This might be a annual membership, in return for which you get ... early access to annual roadmap pdf. Or an online video from the main devs explaining what they are doing for five minutes (#)

What if there existed something to Make the above easy and simply to do - a small foundation who's job is to keep membership rolls and accept payments from companies on behalf of any foss project that signs up (it's something I imagine patreon could offer). They then ensure that the (minimal contract) is adhered to in some manner.

(#) Seriously - you could set up a zoom call with 1-5 devs and just hit record once a year - I promise that 99% will see this as unbearable imposition and then talk for two hours. And that's "actionable paid insights into the future of this tool we depend on"

So the point being, if your FOSS project gets traction, then sign up to this foss-patreon, tell everyone to click to subscribe and you might might get a sponsor or two.