Comment by moffkalast

Because they don't understand the rules of the game.

If you create something in a field that is so infinitely commoditized that there aren't even any paid options and thousands of competitors that would instantly jump at the chance to be a replacement just for popularity's sake, you are frankly deluded to expect anything in return for your work. Best you can expect is to have some influence over others through your direction of the project, which is something that you could actually sell and I'm sure they do. Just look at Zig.

Any donations they get are completely against any market common sense and just people's good will. Demanding anything is so hilariously out of touch with reality.