As everyone knows, BoardGameGeek is absolutely free for users. However, it is not free to operate.
This year, we've had more expenses running the site than ever before - bandwidth and storage costs have increased significantly; we've replaced 4 servers, increased our power consumption, and added another programmer.
This is where you, the users, come in.
Our annual fund drive begins today, and I've set the goal at 3000 new donations of at least $15, the cost of a supporter badge, before the end of this year. I think this is ambitious but achievable goal - if 10% of the active users without 08 badges buy one, we'll reach that goal and then some. And of course if you have your '08 badge already (thank you very much!) and still would like to help us further (thank you very VERY much!), additional support you give will be counted toward our goal of new '08 supporters.
You can follow the progress of this supporter drive in the supporter banner.
For $15, you can get your '08 badge, and for only $10 more, you can choose to disable advertising from the site for a full year. And, of course, you will also get 1 geekgold per dollar donated. But I also encourage you to think about what the site is really worth to you, and consider a larger amount - the more support we receive, the more we can do to improve this site for everyone. If you sign up as a monthly supporter at any level, you'll be given your supporter badge immediately. If you are interested in giving a more substantial donation involving matching user donations, as Chad Ellis of Your Move Games generously did last year, please contact me privately.
(Just a note: 09 badges will not be available until next year, and will not overlap with this fund drive.)
BGG is free, and support is entirely voluntary. Let me stress this: no user should ever be made to feel like a second class citizen because they do not have a supporter badge. Different users support the site in different ways, not all monetarily, and it is all appreciated. But one thing is certain: It has been your support, financial and otherwise, that has allowed me to get the site to the point it is today, and it is your support that will allow me to take the site to the next level.
Thank you again for your support!
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/support.php
Posted Tue Dec 2, 2008 10:42 pm
If it helps out any on somebody's "decision making" ability for this, then they'll most certainly be glad to hear that I've managed to obtain the ever elusive 
I will gladly become a supporter I truly appreciate the service.
)
