I would go for the fund / trust idea. Perhaps joint thing with Meego? (Clearly needs some detailed thinking)

Good, finalized and polished apps / drivers / ? would be awarded ie. four times per year. It would create healthy competition but would allow not-so-ready apps to be developed and distributed also. And would give the dev the opportunity to ask for a donation.

in the case of wifi patch; he is not really asking for a donation but a payment