Secure sufficient funding to ensure that a thoughtful and comprehensive collaborative process will be adequately resourced.
An adequate level of funding positions an initiative to succeed. Sometimes that means securing the entire financial commitment at the front end; other times it means staging the project and returning at a later time for a “next phase” of funding.
Funders are sometimes hesitant to support planning projects where the execution of the plan is not a part of the process. If one or more organizations that might serve as a permanent home for implementing the initiative can be identified at the concept stage, this can offer greater assurance to potential funders that the project is likely to be successful and have long-term impact.
An initial process design framework is also developed in this stage as part of the funding proposal.
Funders often look for projects that demonstrate solid partnerships and that have a likelihood of sustainability once the funded project ends.