In terms of getting more casual users to use Linux, it makes sense to sponsor projects like Gnome, considering how popular it is, and the fact that DEs are the main interface between users and the system; it's really rather important they're properly maintained, easy to use, etc

While I half agree with you that there may be better sources for this funding, I'm happy for any serious open source funding, and the (hopefully positive!) attention it receives from that

(And this comes from a long-term i3 user who loathes using heavy DEs :P)