You can try the donation thing but I really doubt it will be what you want it to be. It will start good then fade fast. I myself run 6 websites, 5 of which I make a profit on but I do not run them for that reason alone, rather because I enjoy them. I use Goggle extensively along with other advertising which allows me a modest income from them.
Only advise I can give is if you enjoy something and endeavor to make whatever it is the best you can for your own well being then it will be a success, but do it because you believe in what you are doing.
I am a winemaker by
hobby, I run a Vineyard and Orchard that I make my own wine from, sell the fruit to vineyards around my local. I started
HoneyCreek Website as I place for me to store my information on wine making and growing, not as website. I decided 5 years ago to publish my knowledge as it grew.
Since that time Honeycreek has had many facelifts, the vistors to the site has been well over 300,000 no matter what the number says. I recieve approx 200-300 a month cash just off ads on Honeycreek only, you can to...... It is your baby, think of it as that, noruish it, feed it, it will grow.... Do not have so many links off of site, make them link back to you, you publish it, you should keep it on site...