Wouldn't it be great if the FSF organized something similar to Google Summer of Code for projects which need more attention?
It could be completely crowdfunded (the FSF could just manage the money), and give the free software community a common focus on issues that affect everyone (those can be agreed upon via polls), and a way to address them collectively. For example, GIMP needs a resource manager, and Tox needs an independent, peer-reviewed security audit. We could just raise money to pay some people to reach those specific milestones. It's especially helpful for high-priority projects. Asking for volunteer contributors is one thing but hiring them is another, and guaranteed to work (if the right people are chosen, especially if they already contribute to the program). I believe in the decentralization of the free software movement, but it's a good thing that a nonprofit central organization like the FSF exists because otherwise, it'd be impossible to organize something like this without relying on worse third-parties like Kickstarter and on individuals which can run away with the money anytime or spend it in other ways (it already happened many times). Any thoughts?