Could be that the model is more sophisticated that the quoted text below suggests, but if it isn't ... Well, let's say I maintain a popular package SexyAndUsefu

Could be that the model is more sophisticated that the quoted text below suggests, but if it isn't ... Well, let's say I maintain a popular package SexyAndUseful, I sign up with StackAid, and see significant cash flow; great! I also already have lots of dependencies, so many in fact that 50% of donations flowing to me go to my dependencies. But that's fine, it takes a village. Then some Joe or Jane comes to me and says, "hey, I'll give you $$$ if you add my bogus (but harmless) package as a dependency to your project". Well, since the amount I have to pass on my dependencies is already capped at 50%, I say, hells yeah, sure, definitely. In fact, I like the idea so much I start soliciting projects to pay for the opportunity. > Because sass has 3 dependencies, each of those get 5% of the amount given to sass. So each sass dependency gets $0.50/mo ($6/yr) and sass is left with $8.50/mo ($102/yr). > Because bootstrap has over 20 dependencies, giving them each 5% wouldn't be fair to bootstrap, so just 50% of the bootstrap allocation is divided equally among its dependencies and bootstrap keeps $5/mo ($60/yr).