I don't believe we need another centralized exchange. What we need is a healthy distributed network of local person 2 person exchanges with weekly meetups. aka Satoshi Square / Buttonwood.
This is the only method I know of that completely routes around the damaged banking system, scales worldwide to every town, village, and campus and could even survive cryptocurrencies being outlawed globally -- perish the thought.
A useful thing would be to promote and organize these. Specific activities:
1) A quality website to promote and market the idea.
2) A fun animated video to make the idea accessible to bitcoiners and non bitcoiners alike.
3) A listing/database of all known trading groups, times, locations.
4) a forum for participants to exchange ideas and contribute.
5) Provide incentives and support for individuals to start local exchange meetups
6) Artwork, flyers and promotional material for group organizers to put up around town, or hand out at bitcoin or freedom events.
7) Android and iOS apps for finding local exchanges and publishing trade prices.
Training materials for local organizers.
9) Paid sponsorship, booths at bitcoin events.
So yeah, if you have the necessary resources to put into building and launching a new exchange, please consider this option instead. Ultimately, your impact could be far larger.
As far as ongoing funding, I believe that a foundation could be setup for this purpose and it could be supported by dues and contributions.