GitHub Sponsors provides a platform for open source developers to receive financial support from the community, enhancing their ability to continue their projects with greater autonomy and security. Highlighted in this context is Daniel Stenberg, the founder of cURL, a widely-used tool for internet protocol-based data transfers, which boasts over six billion installations worldwide. Stenberg shares his journey of developing cURL from a simple tool for downloading currency rates in 1998 to a critical component in various devices and systems today. He discusses the challenges faced in open source maintenance, including the need for sustained development beyond new feature creation and the difficulties of aligning company priorities with project needs. His involvement in cURL has shaped his career, leading to roles in the Internet Engineering Task Force and contributions to the development of internet protocols. Stenberg emphasizes the need for more developers and the importance of community support, noting that GitHub Sponsors can play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and independence of open source projects like cURL.