I, m not really sure how to say this so :
I was drafted as founder of a small guild at around level 330 and know how hard it is to recruit and keep players, etc. They want something bigger and better moving on, making it a constant battle and everyone knows how much stam it takes buffing a person with max of 600 stam vice 6000 or 60,000. Once a month to twice a day a Small guilds struggle in so many ways, no relics, storage space, low funds, can't afford expensive potions, buffs, not a real chance at titan drops among other things. I feel this discourages so many players to the point of quitting the game!!
And this hurts the game as a whole.
the larger guilds have earned their spot , don't get me wrong and have 1 to 4 relics [for gains] ample storage, titan and other hard to get epics [best damage, extra stam], best gear, gold, fsp etc and only except a select few into their ranks for a price usually.
'''''Can't we come up with something to assist lower level guilds/players that MIGHT stop the decline in active fs players?'''''
I suggested, and was shot down on something extra for the loyalty medal Poll: [ Guild loyality medals bonus] as it would cost you to jump guilds and give extra bonus to small guilds that don't have relics,epics, etc. [The large guilds gain little,lol ,they have it all anyway]
So, maybe a medal bonus is not the answer. ''What is?''
Kind of agree to some point with you.
Recruiting is tricky because we have done this (as a small guild) in the past and tend to end up with, as you say... people who move on to bigger/better guilds: why they don't want to stick around and help a small guild is beyond me. Shallow i think maybe a word but thats their choice.
Buffing for me has always been a sore point because most people that join us just start begging for buffs and expect it as soon as they login and that annoys most members as we get fedup with it... 1: its are stamina which we need to hunt with and 2: you kind of wouldn't mind so much if they stuck around instead of moving on to bigger guilds or just quitting the game. Of course this is were a bigger guild would help out more as there are more people to share the load of buffing. I could only suggest here that small guilds could do with a non-pc to buff members/ or where members could go to get buffs - like a guild mage for buffing.
You mention Relics but we don't have any as a small guild and we manage fine without them, so i can't agree with that one.
Storage space i can agree with as the cost is too expensive for a small guild and this is where members get fed-up too, you come online to find someone has filled your backpack up with guild gear, this frustrates people hugely.
Low funds, im not sure on because we manage ok with just four active members. Though some donate more than others, would like to see a 100% tax for some members that are shall we say tight. In general as long as people donate something we manage - just don't get to many structures and don't hire mercs left right and centre. Manage your funds accordingly.
Titan hunting as a small guild is tricky, i would have to be honest and say most find it frustrating and give up but i have seen this happen whether your in a small guild or in a big guild... kind of comes down to if you like that aspect so much you will join a Titan hunting guild. As a small guild it will just take a long time though i find - we still haven't got one titan item yet if that makes you feel better

.
Overall i think it comes down to the individual person, i have played this game for 4 years and have enjoyed it mostly. I don't look as small guilds being hard done by, we just do what we can with what we have.