Guybrush

Shouldn't you at least inform people what it is they would pay for?

We'd rent webspace and a domain. We can set up a website with a forum there, a place that we own and run together. We could then have a mobile phone friendly forum with modern features like user tagging, reactions and a working spam bot protection. Basically we can choose features. It'll be possible to get database dumps to ensure the site's longevity, on site or elsewhere. We can also host other things as well if we want, perhaps blogs or emails or a wiki or whatever.

My suggestion was basically to set up a patreon or something where people can choose to donate to keep the place running.

For myself, I don't mind. If I pay 10 bucks for a game that entertains me for 10 hours, I kinda think of that as a good deal. I spend hours on MB so I wouldn't mind spending a little money to improve that experience.