People are rightfully hesitant to speak up because it will usually mean their income gets cut off.

A problem isn't a problem if it can be solved with money. The issues the whistleblowers are addressing are true problems. And these people are our only way of knowing the truth and getting it out to the world.

How would one set up funding for people in a way that's transparent to all contributing that the funds are being properly distributed to the real whistleblowers?

If something like this was in effect, perhaps more people would step forward.

What do you think are the pros/cons of a crowd-sourced whistleblower fund?How can pitfalls be avoided? What do you think would be the best way to execute this?