Regarding donations - we already have about 20% of the Monero owners joining MEW. If we get this number to about 50%, then it will be easier to fund development as a community effort because there is no free riding.
I don't have 2,000 - 5,000 XMR. I'll get to the lower end of this eventually.
Also I'm not a huge fan of good ole' boys clubs unless I'm an outsider interfacing with it them.
I don't think there's anything wrong with this effort - but trying to use ego to garner donations I fear will not be successful (hope I'm wrong). I already have a Monero shill or two on ignore so I probably wouldn't get along well with this group.