Paying maintainers, not just donating, is key to supporting open-source projects effectively. To do it right, focus on paying the actual maintainers, not strangers who claim to help out, and ensure steady incomes before one-offs. Pay for ongoing maintenance and gradual improvements, adhering to specific best practices and providing valuable information about those practices. Avoid paying for features or bug fixes, as they can be challenging and may create work for the maintainer in the long term. Lastly, recognize that maintainers often start projects out of obligation and not just love of open source, and that money doesn't necessarily end friendships or motivation, but rather acknowledges their value to the software economy.