The Matrix.org is Community Interest Company registered in UK, and its full name is THE MATRIX.ORG FOUNDATION C.I.C., please, consider this as a proof proof.
Given this information, I would guess it's relatively safe to donate/give funding to the Matrix.org because its financial flows should be protected by UK law.
BUT, it seems they never made a full report of incomes/spendings, the first one is expected in April 2024. But it's already April 2024, and I don't see a report. Anyway, it's better to read original Issue in regard of such things, I might understood it incorrectly
And ? Obviously it's not the for-profit structure which would benefit from donations. VC money is one way of financing things (which has the cash burn rate issue), public money and donations is another, why would changing from one model to another be something bad?
Literally only the last comment gives any real data about how that money is being spent (and the annual report mentioned hasn't been published yet).
I think the change is positive in general, but they really haven't done a good job w.r.t transparency, and the Matrix ecosystem is still reliant on a for-profit company.