I haven't read the SPI post, but from this article, it sounds like it's taking funds that could be invested and giving them out as prizes to holders. I personally wouldn't be in favor of something like that unless it in some way brings more value into the project as a whole than it takes out.
For SPI, the funds be used are coming from defi harvests and represent a very small % of earnings so SPI can afford it. For the cost of $500-800 per year, it has the foundation for building a small loyal community of investors that HODL and add SPI to gain better rewards.
For LBI, it could not afford to fund something like this, not even close. Well, never say never it could be funded in other ways, we do operate on LeoFinance and HIVE which gives money away for content. Fundraiser could be another way, the last resort.