@bajker Mastodon software is made by a non-profit.
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2021/08/mastodon-now-a-non-profit-organisation/
Mastodon instances are run by different entities.
I pay for my personal one myself.
Other instances are run by organisations for their staff.
There are instances run by individuals.
Some take donations.
Others are run by cooperatives.
I think in-stream ads are going to be a hard business model for this network, since readers can filter them out.
Does that answer your question?