I think instead of a return proposal, there should be a 50% staked hive requirement / quorum, if less than 50% staked hive voted for a proposal, it shouldn't be funded. Yes, it would be extremely hard to get something funded but it would ensure that there is a majority for things that get funded.
The harder the better IMHO.
Funded proposals to date reveal many examples that poorly detail how the funds are to be used and what returns are expected. I am unaware of any that rise to the level of business plans that are required to attain to funding from IRL sources of financing. That's unfortunate, because the DHF disperses IRL money. Raising the bar on proposals receiving $M's is absolutely necessary to an entity intending to increase it's economic value. I think failing to specify financial accounting standards for submitting proposals is a fundamental reason the DHF funds proposals that do not provide nominal returns.
Thos. Jefferson pointed out that the success of the American republic depended on an informed electorate, and we observe the consequences of voting by the ignorant every day. While having such accounting standards doesn't dispel ignorance of voters, it does prevent funding proposals ignorant of financial accounting.