Interestingly enough, AROS, both the x86_64 and 68K versions, were also written for free. So again, if anyone thinks money is the cure for the Amiga's ills, they're sorely mistaken.
Sure, money alone solves nothing. However, imagine what would happen if everyone with AmigaOS development expertise could work on it full-time.** Progress would be a lot faster. What would it take to make that happen? Yep, that's right, they'd need to be paid so they can work full-time & still be able to buy food and put a roof over their head.
Hans
** Of course, I'm talking about focused development with well thought out priorities. Haphazard development rarely gets things moving in the right direction.