Planning Library · Funding sequence
Money in the right order.
Five phases from "no legal entity yet" to "site + capital in hand," with what you're raising at each step, who it comes from, and which planning doc anchors it.
| # | Phase | Timing | What you're raising | From whom | Maps to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fiscal sponsorship | Now | The legal ability to receive tax-deductible gifts and apply for grants under a 501(c)(3) umbrella. | A comprehensive (Model A) sponsor supporting earned revenue + employees. | Faster than "determination letter in hand" (Northstar Goal 01). See /fiscalsponsor and /attorneybrief. |
| 1 | Relational lead gifts | Now – 6 mo | Your Founder's Table: first ~$50K in lead commitments. | Individuals who back you. LinkedIn 'building in public' helps here. | Northstar Goal 01. See /support. |
| 2 | Board + validation | Parallel | Credibility, not money. Seat 3–5 board; validate the two Low-confidence assumptions. | Recruited board (food, finance, education, ag) + fieldwork on COGS and farm-stand traffic. | De-risks Phase 3. See /governance and /feasibility. |
| 3 | Institutional grants | 6–18 mo | Program & operating grants, then larger state / federal. | Local first (CFMC, MPF), then CDFA Food Hubs / CNIP, then USDA LFPP. | Needs entity/sponsor + traction. Gates G2 / G3 — see /actionplan and /fundraising. |
| 4 | Site + capital | Site stage | Build-out capital + community capital. | Capital grants (MPF), a capital campaign, and Monterey County Gives! crowdfunding. | Anchored by Gate G3 ($70K min + 2 sources before lease). Site-sourcing channels are mapped on /facility (Site & turnkey channels). |
Phase 0 · Now
Fiscal sponsorship
What you're raising — The legal ability to receive tax-deductible gifts and apply for grants under a 501(c)(3) umbrella.
From whom — A comprehensive (Model A) sponsor supporting earned revenue + employees.
Maps to — Faster than "determination letter in hand" (Northstar Goal 01). See /fiscalsponsor and /attorneybrief.
Phase 1 · Now – 6 mo
Relational lead gifts
What you're raising — Your Founder's Table: first ~$50K in lead commitments.
From whom — Individuals who back you. LinkedIn 'building in public' helps here.
Maps to — Northstar Goal 01. See /support.
Phase 2 · Parallel
Board + validation
What you're raising — Credibility, not money. Seat 3–5 board; validate the two Low-confidence assumptions.
From whom — Recruited board (food, finance, education, ag) + fieldwork on COGS and farm-stand traffic.
Maps to — De-risks Phase 3. See /governance and /feasibility.
Phase 3 · 6–18 mo
Institutional grants
What you're raising — Program & operating grants, then larger state / federal.
From whom — Local first (CFMC, MPF), then CDFA Food Hubs / CNIP, then USDA LFPP.
Maps to — Needs entity/sponsor + traction. Gates G2 / G3 — see /actionplan and /fundraising.
Phase 4 · Site stage
Site + capital
What you're raising — Build-out capital + community capital.
From whom — Capital grants (MPF), a capital campaign, and Monterey County Gives! crowdfunding.
Maps to — Anchored by Gate G3 ($70K min + 2 sources before lease). Site-sourcing channels are mapped on /facility (Site & turnkey channels).
Rule of thumb
Phases 0, 1, and 2 run in parallel from day one. Phase 3 unlocks after entity + sponsor + traction. Phase 4 gates on G3 — $70K minimum identified with at least 2 sources confirmed or near-confirmed before signing a lease. Don't skip Phase 2: the board and the two Low-confidence validations are what make Phase 3 grants credible.