Has advertisements been considered - not just sponsors but actual adds?
I know it is used on the AHF site. Not sure how much it brings in or how it works
but my experience is that its not really that much a bother as I first dreaded.
Yes, there's an add here and there in and around the postings but as mentioned
no worse (rather less) than what we're bombed with every day all around us.
Those behind the software used here even do it:
http://www.phpbb.com/about/advertise/index.php
I know it's not exactly the reply you were hoping for,
but as you already know I have earlier stated (several times)
how I would be willing and able to help.
The best of luck to you, the Forum Kameraden and all.
Waleed