Ads would ruin the site and probably screw up security if google got involved. Best to stick with donations.
What is hurting this site (when it works) is uneven mod pressure, mostly against conservatives, while the commies get free run. That will stymie future donations from conservatives, at least one I know. Maybe the commies will let loose of some of their stimmy, but I doubt it.
I deleted my last account due to the obvious Ultra Right Wing tone that I felt had taken over, particularly during the US election. I thought most mods were Right Wing. We all have our own predjudices. You'd call me a commie no doubt, yet I think I'm slightly left of centre.
This site was better when it was a grow site. I liked the good growers and those who were generous and unselfish with their time and information. Also, I didn't know everyones politics.
Anyway, I will likely stick around. It's sad so many good people left though, following the political shitstorm and the site upgrade.