One thing I've done from time to time is just say "hey, I would like this a lot, I'd put a $100 bounty on it". Probably wouldn't work in the corporate case desc

One thing I've done from time to time is just say "hey, I would like this a lot, I'd put a $100 bounty on it". Probably wouldn't work in the corporate case described here, and certainly is below the "actually paying for a developer's time" level. But I've thrown a bonus in there for doing it. Maybe if it's already something they wanted to do, it moves the needle into "sure, let me give it a shot".