Donations - There is definitely a boost of pride whenever we receive a donation from an individual or company because that tells us that they BELIEVE in our community and genuinely want us to do well.
Selling - I've only done this once but I made money by selling my forum.
Merchandise - This isn't something that has been implemented but I like the concept of selling merchandise that promote websites e.g. mugs, t-shirts- stickers, etc.
My online communities generate money from donations, selling of private ads, and google adsense. I've never been a fan of leaving all my eggs in one basket, so I like having multiple sources of revenue coming in.
I earn commission from players I send to online poker rooms where I'm affiliated. I get a percentage from the players I send. I do also have advertisements with my link/bonus code.
I offer VIP memberships with extra features, hosting paid webinars or workshops, selling branded merchandise, running sponsored threads or partnerships, and occasionally organizing community events where participants pay a small fee. These methods let the community stay engaged while generating revenue.