I suggest a bounty brokerage system.
Here's how it works.
-someone has a need. They need it bad enough, they are willing to pay for it.
-they post the need (contrib, howto, etc) and how much they are willing to pay for it ($200) This is the bounty.
-someone else sees the need and thinks that they would like it too. So they add to the bounty. (another $20, $50, etc).
-developers are free to complete the task at anytime.
-the first developer to successfully complete the task wins their share of the bounty.
-the bounty is split between contribs.org and the winning developer.
-(here's where it gets interesting) the split is a tiered system based on total bounty revenue. For example, 50% at $500, 60% at $750, 70% at $1000. If the developer claims a bounty for $400, contribs get $200 and the developer gets $200. The next bounty the same developer claims is $500. Now the developers total bounty is $900. This time contribs gets $200 (40% of $500) and the developer gets $300 (60% of $500). And so on.
-the contrib/howto is posted for the community
This does a couple of things.
-It gets attention. Did somebody say money?
-It gets people involved. There's probably hidden talent out there but too shy to do anything for free. (After all, I see about 40 users on the site at any given hour.)
-It gives incentive. If you want something you need to pay for it. Nobody comes to my house to wash my dishes for free, I shouldn't have to help out for free.
-It generates income. Everyone needs to live (even contribs), living costs money.
-It drives development in the area that is wanted most.
-It defrays the cost to the community so that no single person has to bear the burden by themselves.
-It ensures that most successful developers get paid the best. Also, it gives the best developers more incentive to finish first and as much as possible to reach the 'next level.' (smart developers will team together to split the bounty)
-It pulls the talent of many different people to ensure the community is working as a team and not against each other.
-in turn, it ensures the community has the best work completed for what they deem needed.
Just an idea to keep things moving in the right direction.