Look at Bethesda and her attempt to sell mods when the community rebelled against it. People specifically tagged their mod(s) as free.
It goes without saying that every person would like to receive something in return for their work. But human altruism in general cannot be written off either.
Skyrim has been alive and well for many years, not least because there are mods and Bethesda supports it.

I wish the team success and ask you to think from a different point of view on mods problem ... and not only in terms of money.
Sincerely, xsSplater.