But realize, that from the standpoint of the OP someone who can't swing a couple of K also can't swing a couple hundred thousand K _per year_ to hire more contr

But realize, that from the standpoint of the OP someone who can't swing a couple of K also can't swing a couple hundred thousand K _per year_ to hire more contributors or provide other funding to the project. They are, therefore, completely pointless to talk to - the decision makers won't be in the room.