I would argue that this is a critical time in the history of NEM. Many cryptos are racing to become the chosen Blockchain/coin, innovation at this juncture will help drive adoption. If no one adopts NEM it doesn't matter if we have 1 trillion in the DEV fund if no one is using it. I say go for it.
This!
NEM should have something to offer for the users, if it don't these funds will soon be gone with all the massive adoption these days, the projects created for every ICO is aiming for adoption and NEM already have the easy of use. But who would use it when there is nothing inside this chain?
Give away that 15M for the development. Maybe do an ICO which allow investors to only deposit NEM for the crowdfund.