Budget example
A typical cost split for a open-source tool dream in Austin, shown in USD. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
$8,000
- Core engineering and maintenance$5,600 · 70%
- Test infrastructure and hosting$800 · 10%
- Documentation and worked examples$800 · 10%
- Release and community support$800 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $8,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −$1,200
- You receive
- $6,800
- 01
Price from quotes, not hopes
Get at least two quotes for every large cost and note what is included. Backers rarely mind a high goal; they mind a goal that looks invented.
- 02
Plan for what you receive
The platform fee is deducted from each backing, so you receive 85% of what Backers give. Set the goal so that amount covers your real costs.
- 03
Add a small buffer
Prices move. A buffer of five to ten percent in your last milestone covers surprises without making the goal look padded. Say so openly in your story.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a open-source tool dream with a goal of $8,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
$2,000 · 25%
Publish the technical scope
Post a repository link, a design note and a minimal runnable example explaining the problem and the planned interfaces.
Milestone 2
$2,800 · 35%
Implement the core tool
Share tagged source changes, automated test output and a recorded example showing the main function with sample inputs.
Milestone 3
$2,000 · 25%
Check compatibility and docs
Upload a compatibility matrix, fresh installation results and draft documentation tested against the current version.
Milestone 4
$1,200 · 15%
Prepare contributor release
Post release notes, contribution instructions and an issue triage plan with links to the final examples and known limitations.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Dependencies break compatibility
An upstream change can make installation fail even when the tool code is unchanged. Define supported versions early and budget for automated compatibility checks and fixes.
- R2
Maintainer workload expands
Support requests can displace planned development work. Limit the funded feature scope and reserve the final milestone for contribution guidance and a manageable issue triage plan.
- R3
Examples hide setup problems
A tool may run only in its creator’s environment. Include fresh installation tests on the supported setups and fund documentation fixes before presenting the release as complete.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: $100 gives the Dreamer $85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Should my goal include the platform fee?
Yes. The fee is taken from the backing, never added for the Backer. With a goal of $8,000, you receive $6,800 once everything is released.
Why fund an open-source tool if anyone can use the code?
The dream can fund the engineering, testing and documentation needed to make public code useful. Explain the specific work being supported and provide repository evidence rather than implying Backers buy exclusive access.
What counts as proof when the work is mostly maintenance?
Link to resolved issues, source changes and test results that show the supported versions still work. Include a reproducible example or installation check so Backers can assess maintenance beyond a list of commits.
Ready when you are
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