Funders need to understand the opportunity and whether it fits their interests. Prepare concise answers to the questions below.
Prepare for the first discussion
Explain the project, location, team, cost and expected income or services.
Identify gaps and how you will resolve them. Distinguish estimates from confirmed costs and interest from committed partnerships.
Six questions
1. What exactly is being financed?
Specify what the funds cover—land, construction, equipment or startup expenses—and what other partners will fund.
2. Who is responsible for the project?
Identify the sponsor, ownership and team experience. Name the specialist partners still needed.
3. How will the project earn revenue or repay funding?
Explain revenue sources, timing and key assumptions. For grants, define the services and outcomes funded.
4. What still needs to be secured?
List outstanding site rights, permits, utility commitments and agreements, with responsibility and timing for each.
5. What happens if costs rise or revenue is delayed?
Show how higher costs, lower activity or delayed opening affect cash flow and how those risks could be managed.
6. How much are you requesting, and when is it needed?
State the amount, funding type, use, timing and next milestone. Be clear about the response you are requesting.
Support your assumptions
Separate confirmed information from estimates and assumptions. A reader should be able to trace important figures to a source.
- A general claim: “We expect demand for this facility.”
- A supporting approach: Identify comparable facilities, document their published activity where available, and explain how their market differs from the proposed project.
Support key figures with quotes, records, studies or documented discussions. Label preliminary estimates and remaining research.
Record each assumption, source, date and confirmation status so the team can update the forecast consistently.
What to prepare first
Prepare these materials alongside the budget and financial forecast:
- A short project summary covering the concept, location, team, costs, funding request and current status.
- An approvals and agreements list showing what is secured, what is outstanding and who will follow up.
- An assumption sheet identifying the sources behind important costs and revenue estimates.
- A scenario summary showing the effect of higher costs, lower revenue or a delayed opening.
Keep the summary, funding request and forecast consistent with the same scope and assumptions.
Related capabilities: Financial Modeling & Investment Readiness · Funding Strategy & Development Finance · Research & Objective Assessments