Donald,

I believe it morphed into an optional group sponsorship approach where
an owner could enable it to let members donate to pay for a premium
group.

Actually, I believe this #suggestion is still under consideration.

Donations towards group fees was a separate suggestion, made by a few people (with varying details):
https://beta.groups.io/g/main/message/27638
https://beta.groups.io/g/main/message/27610
https://beta.groups.io/g/main/message/25957
https://beta.groups.io/g/main/message/25931

As well as multiple expressions of support for the idea of donation (Sponsoring) by members made in the original Pricing Changes topic.

Shal