Open Source projects often suffer from development ideas not getting sufficient resources to implement properly, with the outcome being lots of users continue to use work arounds or poor fixes.
Eileen has put some time in to setting up CiviCRM with a Make it Happen facility so that clients and consultants can make donations to particular projects. If the particular project does not get sufficient funding, then the donor has the option of a refund, or to shift it to another project.
Check out the options here: Make it Happen - support your favorite Civi project!