Donations
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5 minute read
Some people genuinely want to support the work you’re doing. That might be a script that saved them an hour, a self-hosted app they deployed at home, or just the fact that you’re showing your work and explaining it clearly.
For me personally, whenever Dream Theater releases a new album, I will buy a copy of it, and then stream it on Spotify. Why? Because I want to support the band and I want them to keep making music. I don’t expect anything in return, but I know that my support helps them continue doing what they love.
There are some filmmakers I support like this too. I’ll buy the movie, and then also rent it on Amazon - simply because I want to help support them making more films.
Similarly, if you are publicly sharing useful, novel things that are saving people hours of work - there are many people who will use this as a way to support your work, so that you can do more of it.
You don’t have to “sell” anything to accept donations. But you do need to make it easy for people to give you money if they want to.
This page breaks down the main platforms developers and indie creators use to accept donations, support, and recurring tips - from one-off coffee money to recurring sponsorships.
Why Offer Donations?
Not everyone is ready to spin up a SaaS product or build a full-fledged course. But donations are a great way to get started:
- They reward you for stuff you were going to build anyway
- They show early signs of interest (and future demand)
- They let people support your work without needing a business transaction
If you’re maintaining an open source tool, writing blog posts, or publishing tutorials - it’s worth having a donation link. Even if no one clicks it today, it sends the message: This is a real project. There’s a human behind it.
GitHub Sponsors
This is the most “native” way to accept donations for devs. If your work is on GitHub, you can add a Sponsor button to your repo - and optionally offer tiers and rewards.
Why Use It?
- It shows up right on your profile and repos
- It integrates with your GitHub activity feed
- You can offer multiple tiers (monthly), or leave it open-ended
Requirements
- You must apply to the GitHub Sponsors program
- Payouts require a Stripe or bank account connection
If your project lives on GitHub and you’re active in the dev community, GitHub Sponsors is one of the most trusted ways to accept recurring support.
Buy Me a Coffee
Buy Me a Coffee is simple, clean, and made for creators of all types - not just developers.
I have a link in the bottom left footer of this very website - to see what it looks like in action.
Features
- One-time or monthly donations
- You can offer extras (downloads, shout-outs, etc.)
- Has “Support” buttons you can embed or link to anywhere
Why It’s Popular
- Super quick setup
- No code required
- Friendly UI (less intimidating than Patreon)
Drop your BMAC link in your repo README and blog footer. If someone finds your tool useful, the friction to donate is near zero.
Ko-fi
Ko-fi is similar to BMAC, but has a bit more flexibility.
Features
- One-time or recurring donations
- You can offer digital downloads, commissions, or locked content
- Zero platform fees for one-time donations
What Makes It Unique
- You can set a “goal” (like funding a server, domain, or dev time)
- Accepts PayPal and Stripe
- Free to use for most use-cases
If you’re a dev who also dabbles in art, writing, or design - Ko-fi is a nice crossover platform.
Patreon
Patreon is built around recurring monthly support with reward tiers. It’s heavier-duty, and best if you’re planning to regularly post exclusive content.
When It Makes Sense
- You plan to publish private or early-access tutorials, source code, or updates
- You’re comfortable managing “tiers” and extras for backers
- You want to build a full-on membership community
Patreon works well if you’re already creating consistently - but it can feel like a second job if you’re not careful. Only go this route if you’re ready to commit to monthly content.
Liberapay
Liberapay is open source and built for the long haul. It’s 100% focused on donations, with no platform fees.
Features
- Weekly or monthly donations
- Transparent, non-commercial model
- Perfect for open source devs with consistent projects
It’s not as well-known, but has strong alignment with the values of the open source world.
Stripe or PayPal Buttons
You can also skip the platform entirely and embed your own donate button using:
These work best when you just want a dead-simple link, with no platform branding or middleman.
- Top of your README (subtle but visible)
- In your blog post footer
- On your personal website’s “Support My Work” page
- In your video descriptions (YouTube)
Pro Tips That Actually Help
Here’s how to increase the odds that people will donate - without being pushy.
Make the Ask Visible (but not awkward)
You don’t need a giant blinking banner. But a little note like:
“If this tool saved you time, consider buying me a coffee 🙏”
…goes a long way.
Show Proof of Life
People are more likely to support you if you look active. That means:
- You’ve pushed recent commits
- Your blog isn’t dusty
- You reply to GitHub issues or comments when possible
Say What the Money Helps With
Be honest. “This covers my domain name and coffee” is just as effective (if not more so) than “Your donation fuels innovation and global scale.”
Summary
Donations aren’t about begging for money. They’re about giving people an easy way to say thanks - and about showing that your work has value, even if it’s free.
- Use GitHub Sponsors if your projects are on GitHub
- Buy Me a Coffee and Ko-fi are great for one-off tips
- Patreon works if you plan to create paid content consistently
- You can also use PayPal or Stripe for simple direct donations
- Put your links where people see them - README, blog, and video descriptions
Even a few dollars a month can signal you’re on the right track. And over time, that adds up - not just financially, but in validation and momentum.