Final answer:
Funding middlemen that demand upfront cash payments for crowdfunding or other types of funding are usually not a safe bet because there is no guarantee that they will be able to deliver on their promises once they've been paid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Funding middlemen that demand upfront cash payments for crowdfunding or other types of funding is usually NOT a safe bet because there is no guarantee that they will be able to deliver on their promises once they've been paid. While there may be some legitimate platforms and industry standards that require upfront payments, it is generally advisable to be cautious and thoroughly research the middlemen before making any financial commitments.