I would suggest funding projects in 3 stages and the first tranche should be paid only after completion and proof of work done by 33% and so on. I was always taught - do not give money in advance. Part of the work is done - get for this part and move on. (This is my opinion, but it seems fairer to me) Over 2 years, a lot of projects received a lot of money, but if they had not received it, little would have changed for you and me, but the money would have been intact.