Voted Accept.
Sorry to be late to the discussion. I am playing a Redcap(mage), and my advise to the elders of the family is that the price for aid is too low. Lesser income sources might be awarded on request, typical sources for a low value trade, and greater sources for a middling value trade. Otherwise it raises questions and quaesitorial interest. There are paranoids running around out there.
However, this is a lovely idea, and goes toward counterbalancing the creeping and soon to be overwhelming undue and authoritarian domination by House Tremere, which must be opposed. Already they have made inroads into the traditional roles of House Mercere, in trade, administration, and presented utterly false messengers in Transylvania, messengers without any relation to the Family and lacking in fundamental House training.
ahem
Seriously, having House Mercere handing out grants of income sources, with some stipulation, and with the understanding that of course they are gaining benefits, including a cut of the income, promotion of stability, and a reasonable say in the economy of covenants and Tribunals, makes good and great sense. The House is also gaining information on covenant activities and extending their entwining root system, but this is par for the course.