I think you have two main things going against you.
- This type of thing has been done and is still being done without DHF funding.
- I think it's relatively expensive for what it accomplishes. The efforts need to benefit the blockchain as a whole. This proposal may do that in a small way by helping with retention, but its affect will be minimal in the grand scheme of things.
I would recommend that if you want any chance of getting it funded, you can do it without funding for a bit. You can give all the liquid to the winners or something. Then you can work on getting a whale or dolphin to support you.
If some whale support us we can do without a proposal, but this is not the case, if you know someone that will support us, let us know!
I strongly agree with your point number 2. Having a large stake-holder backing this project up should be sufficient to start with and get to the same effect.
For sure, can you support us or do you know who can do?
I am by far not a large stakeholder so that I may not be the one who could really help you on all front.
I would however be very happy to support the STEM part of your review (note that we have our own at STEMsocial, released as a STEMmsocial distilled every Monday/Tuesday). As long as you promote posts that are in line with our guidelines, you can count on my support for the Tuesday post.
Thanks a lot!