Only a year? Come on LF! I know you're just a soulless organisation there to provide employment for Torvalds, GKH and others, but you can at least make some SOME effort!!!!
I have absolutely zero insight on how the foundation and their financing works, but in general it tends to be easier to green light a one time expense than a recurring monthly payment. So it might be just that, a years salary at first to get the gears running again and getting some time to fit the 'infinite' running cost into plans/forecasts/everything.