This... exists? Did they even search for it? https://github.com/open-source/sponsors

Yes, it's a step in the right direction.

However it is opt-in aka "Launch a page in minutes and showcase Sponsors buttons on your GitHub profile and repositories". That's effort & friction and only simplifies the "begging" aspect that I am (strongly) reacting to.

https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v11/commands/npm-fund will also "list all dependencies that are looking for funding in a tree structure"

I want the step (or 5 steps) after that. Charge first, then distribute.