All costs in any business are financed out of sales revenues. Capital expenditure is no different. The equipment is purchased, and then is written off, or depreciated, against profit over a period of years, in accordance with the organisation's accounting policy. In the case of computer equipment, the period for depreciation is typically two or three years. This is just as much a cost as staff salaries, property rental or editorial costs.
Capital expenditure does reduce profit and, consequently, shareholders' dividends.
They expect a return on that investment, generated from enhanced profits in the future. This can only be secured from better sales revenue. The treatment of capital expenditure described above is as true of non-profit organisations as it is for commercial companies. It is standard accounting practice. So the investment by publishers in equipment to support online access and archiving will ultimately be reflected in the price paid for online information.