Answer:
Identify how the proposed project fits in with the strategic plans of the entities for which the project will benefit.
This means research. Find out the written, spoken, and unspoken agendas to determine how to shape the project to be most beneficial.
identify the stakeholders
Have a meeting with the stakeholders and agree upon a Project Charter
Produce a Proposal to acquire funding
Ensure the Project Charter fits into the strategic plans and current mission statements of the funding source
Break the Final Proposal into Funding Phases; i.e. Delivery Milestones
Work to obtain a Final Proposal (approved by all stakeholders and funding agency)
Obtain all the Funding Coversheet data (proof of funding)
Create a detailed and efficient Statement of Work to provide for all of the deliverables
Each statement of a Statement of Work is a Deliverable (avoid duplicated efforts)
If you want more details a company called Engage has an excellent writeup that discusses even the corrupt practices and how to deal with some of them.