@linear
Not sure how a bdfl works better than other ways here? At some point the dodfl needs to retire and you have to find someone to replace them
In Haiku we have a developer team who can co-opt new members (it needs the unanimity of existing members to get someone new in), and a separate non-profit which manage the money aspects. The non-profit is intentionally "passive" and doesn't decide on its own how to spend the money. This provides protection from people trying to buy the project