Github was always kinda subsidized as a power play on MS’s part

Github existed for like 10 years pre-microsoft. Though they did get an investment from Shitreessen Fuckwitz after a few years. Before that, they actually earned enough money on their own to keep the lights on.

An instance that doesn’t need your donations still needs resources to perpetuate itself from somewhere

I meant more that I'm willing to use an instance after it already has enough recurring donations OR paid users to sustain itself. Because at that point they don't need to treat you as a product to save their own asses, nor are they likely to go bankrupt. So I meant the ironic part is that I'm willing to pay, but for an instance that's doing well enough that it doesn't desperately need my money to keep the lights on.