Anecdata, but after I released Mithril.js, I started getting contacted by recruiters from Bay Area companies. I now make 4 times as much as I did when I first started working on it. I know of other folks that got poached by high tech companies due to growing prominence in open source.

FWIW, my experience reflects GP that people really appreciate someone who takes the time to teach/help others. YMMV.

Ha ha no. I didnt even have a discussion about that. I think i need to talk to my manager at some point. But he has been very supportive!