Added sponsorship feature to nuget.org documentation

docs/nuget-org/TOC.md

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 ## [Package ID prefix reservation](id-prefix-reservation.md)
 ## [Package deprecation](deprecate-packages.md)
 ## [Package readme](package-readme-on-nuget-org.md)
+## [Package Sponsorship](package-sponsorship-on-nuget-org.md)
 # Policies
 ## [Data Requests](policies/Data-requests.md)
 ## [Dispute resolution](policies/dispute-resolution.md)

docs/nuget-org/package-sponsorship-on-nuget-org.md

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+---
+title: Package sponsorship on NuGet.org
+description: Learn how to add sponsorship links to your NuGet packages and support package maintainers through NuGet.org's sponsorship feature.
+author: pranathibora14
+ms.author: prabora
+ms.date: 10/15/2025
+ms.topic: conceptual
+ai-usage: ai-generated
+---
+
+# Package sponsorship on NuGet.org
+
+Package maintainers are the foundation of the NuGet.org ecosystem, building and maintaining the packages that developers rely on. The NuGet.org sponsorship feature makes it easier for package consumers to recognize and support the authors behind their favorite packages.
+
+## Overview
+NuGet.org now allows package authors to add a sponsorship URL to their packages. This link appears as a heart icon or "Sponsor this package" button on the package's page, guiding users to secure and popular platforms like GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, and Open Collective.
+
+For package consumers, supporting your favorite packages is now easier than ever. Look for the sponsor icon on NuGet.org to see which packages need support while browsing or managing dependencies.
+
+## Setting up sponsorship for package publishers
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- You must be the owner or co-owner of a package on NuGet.org
+- Your sponsorship link platform must be from the approved list:
+  - GitHub Sponsors
+  - Patreon
+  - Open Collective
+  - Ko-fi
+  - Tidelift
+  - Liberapay
+
+### Navigate to your package management page
+
+1. Go to [NuGet.org](https://nuget.org) and sign in to your account.
+2. Select your username in the top right corner.
+3. Select **Manage Packages** from the dropdown menu.
+4. Find the package you want to add sponsorship information to and select the edit button.
+
+### Access sponsorship settings
+
+1. On your package management page, scroll down to find the **Sponsorship Links** section.
+2. Select to expand the collapsible **Sponsorship Links** section.
+3. You'll see a form where you can add sponsorship URLs.
+
+   ![Screenshot of the manage package page with the Sponsorship Links section](media/sponsorship-section-manage-package-page.png)
+
+### Add your sponsorship URLs
+
+1. Enter your sponsorship URL in the text field:
+   - Example: `https://github.com/sponsors/yourusername`
+   - Example: `https://www.patreon.com/yourusername`
+
+   ![Screenshot of the sponsorship URL form with example URL filled in](media/sponsorship-add-link.png)
+
+2. Select the **Add** button.
+3. The system automatically validates that your URL is from an approved platform.
+4. If any URLs are invalid or from non-approved platforms, you'll see error messages to correct them. Otherwise, you'll see a confirmation message that your sponsorship link has been saved.
+
+   ![Screenshot of a URL from a platform that is not approved](media/sponsorship-link-error-manage-package.png)
+
+5. Each added sponsorship URL will have a **Remove** button next to it if you need to delete it.
+6. You can add up to 10 different sponsorship URLs per package ID.
+
+### Verify your sponsorship URLs display correctly
+
+1. Navigate to your package's public page on NuGet.org.
+2. Look for the **Sponsor** button in the package details **About** section.
+3. Select the **Sponsor** button to test that your URLs appear correctly in the popup.
+
+   ![Screenshot of a package details page with the sponsorship links popup open](media/sponsorship-display-links.png)
+
+## Finding and supporting packages
+
+### Identify packages that need sponsorship
+
+1. Browse to any package page on NuGet.org.
+2. Look for packages displaying a **Sponsor** button in the package details section.
+3. The **Sponsor** button indicates that the package maintainer is seeking financial support.
+
+   ![Screenshot of a package details page with a Sponsor button](media/sponsorship-button-package-details-page.png)
+
+### View available sponsorship options
+
+1. Select the **Sponsor** button on the package page.
+2. A popup window appears showing all available sponsorship links for that package.
+
+   ![Screenshot of a package details page with the sponsorship links popup open](media/sponsorship-display-links.png)
+
+### Choose your preferred sponsorship platform
+
+1. Review the available sponsorship options in the popup.
+2. Select your preferred platform to be redirected to the external sponsorship page.
+3. The link opens in a new tab or window, keeping the NuGet package page open.
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> These links take you to third-party platforms. Microsoft isn't affiliated with or responsible for the content or practices of third-party platforms.
+
+## Frequently asked questions
+
+**Can I add sponsorship information to older versions of my package?**
+
+Yes! Sponsorship information is managed at the package ID level, so it automatically applies to all versions of your package, including previously published versions.
+
+**What happens if my sponsorship platform URL changes?**
+
+You can update your sponsorship URLs anytime through the package management page. Changes take effect immediately across all versions.
+
+**Can I see analytics on how many people selected my sponsorship links?**
+
+No, NuGet.org doesn't track sponsorship link selections. You'll need to check analytics on your sponsorship platform directly.
+
+**Can I add custom sponsorship platforms not on the approved list?**
+
+Currently, only the approved list of platforms is supported. This helps ensure security and legitimacy of sponsorship links.
+
+**Does NuGet.org store my financial information?**
+
+No personal or financial data is stored by NuGet.org. All transactions occur on secure external platforms that a maintainer chooses for sponsoring their packages.
+