I agree with Sector on the donation part! Both our realms do very well with donations to cover our costs and we don't offer anything you can not achive in game. Our 19 twink server, we don't even give items. They donate for marks and buy items from the vendors. These are the same marks you earn via BG raid quests and completing PvP objectives. With our Pre-BC server, you currently can't donate for above T2 as AQ is not open yet. We are just starting the War Effort.
I feel the above has not hurt us one bit and really made our server grow alot faster then it would making over powered donor only gear..