The project is non-for profit. Transaction fees are paid in Kolin but the cost is minimum for keeping everything running. Since most information will be saved in a Public blockchain and databases are being avoided, funds are allocated for paying the domain and server space needed. Later on the community could assume this minimal cost.
I don't think the team is working for free. Will such ways of keeping the project afloat? Personally, my opinion is that without funding it will be very difficult. 