GitHub Sponsors allows open source maintainers like Henry Zhu, who works full-time on the Babel compiler, to receive community funding, providing them with the financial stability to continue their projects. Babel, originally created by Sebastian McKenzie, enables developers to use the latest JavaScript versions while maintaining compatibility with older browsers, becoming a key tool in the developer ecosystem despite its low visibility. Zhu's involvement with Babel has been transformative, enabling him to leave his previous job and focus on open source development, while also raising crucial questions about the challenges and priorities in open source, such as sustainability, leadership, and community well-being. GitHub Sponsors, unlike other platforms, doesn't take a percentage of the sponsorships, which aligns with Zhu's vision of fostering a supportive community rather than a transactional relationship, encouraging sponsors to see beyond mere code contributions to a broader engagement with the project's future.