Hello @distantsignal,
Basically there is three status for a project :
First, when somebody publish a project it's automatically allowed, which mean the project can be opened by everyone with the link.
After what we check for the project, if it's verified, the project will appear on fundition, there is no condition to be verified but if the project have a really poor presentation it will only stay allowed, but what if the project does not respect the rules...
In this last case the project can be banned (like for scam or illegal things) and no one can open it over fundition. If the user try to repeat its missdeed, we ban its account definitely from Fundition and all FutureShock apps.

When the project is verified (most of them are until they do not have any update in a month) they automatically go to the fund program where Auditors can review the project and give their agreement for a possible participation of Fundition to fund their project.
So the funding is conditional to verified project and to the auditors review. The percentage of the upvote depend on the average score given by auditors. An unknow curator have its own process to check updates and to see how much the update "deserve". For information we never upvote projects and if Auditors decide to give the help of Fundition that does not mean Fundition will assume the entire budget of the project.

So being refused doesn't mean that the project isn't good or should not be on fundition. That's why our auditors give their opinion which are publicly accessible by anyone.

So unfortunately I'm not sure if your project can benefit of the fund program. Again it's to auditors to decide and no one can influence their review. While we are focused on charity and innovation you can also notice that we are behind all good projects if they can help to improve/promote Steem.

Finaly the funding process is only one feature that Founder can benefit with Fundition. So if you trust in yourself and in your project you shouldn't have any doubt, if you publish regular updates I'm sure that many people will like to participate to fund it, and more if your project contain interesting rewards...

Best regards,
Fundition Team