The website is an independent news and opinion website with loyal followers.
It is definitely necessary to better define your site and the approximate offer you expect
What is wrong with Google Ads or Affiliate Programs even from the ordinary world? Why do you think it is desirable to avoid it? It is a completely legitimate way to do business.
A lot of disadvantages follows Google AdSense, especially for small publishers like OP. Google doesn't provide enough sponsor for small websites and also the rules are much and the publisher can lose all their money in a second for boycotting any rule or policies. When working with ad network they're more like the admin of the site, as they can influence the kind of activities they want on your website, suspicious clicks can lead to the termination of the account, and they is nobody to run to. The whole hard work ends in losses. Quite good it's a nice way yo monetize a website, but not all webmasters wants to be under a foreign control, they prefer to streamline the activities of their website gradually and grow. OP seeking for support is excellent for a growing site.