About this opportunity
AI summaryArctic Education Foundation requests proposals from onshore USA organizations to provide fundraising assessment, development plan, and capacity building services offsite. The selected consultant will evaluate organizational fundraising readiness, assess expanded giving and revenue opportunities, develop a practical multi-year fundraising plan with performance metrics, design donor development strategies, and provide training to strengthen internal systems and staff capacity. Applicants must submit proposals electronically in PDF format by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Time on December 4, 2026. Prospective bidders must send written questions to [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2026. The buyer has not established a fixed budget and evaluates proposals across a 100-point scale based on project understanding, approach and methodology, relevant experience, capacity building, team qualifications, work plan, and cost.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Arctic Education Foundation
Scope of work
- Project kickoff and document/data request
- Stakeholder interviews and organizational fundraising assessment
- Written fundraising assessment summarizing strengths, gaps, opportunities, risks, and recommended priorities
- Multi-year fundraising development plan with goals, strategies, responsibilities, measures, and implementation sequence
- First-year implementation work plan and calendar
- Recommended fundraising roles and responsibilities for staff and Board
- Fundraising tools/templates appropriate to AEF needs
- Staff training and coaching sessions with retainable training materials
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Understanding of AEF and the Project | 15 Points |
| Approach and Methodology | 25 Points |
| Relevant Fundraising Experience | 20 Points |
| Staff Training and Capacity Building | 15 Points |
| Qualifications and Relevant Experience of the Team | 10 Points |
| Work Plan and Deliverables | 5 Points |
| Cost and Overall Value | 10 Points |
Minimum qualifications
- Demonstrated experience assessing and building fundraising programs for nonprofit organizations, foundations, educational organizations, or similar mission-driven entities
- Experience developing diversified fundraising strategies including individual, corporate, foundation/grant, sponsorship, major-gift, and/or planned-giving approaches
- Demonstrated ability to build organizational capacity, train staff, and translate fundraising strategy into practical day-to-day systems and behaviors
- Experience working with Boards and clarifying the appropriate role of governance leaders in fundraising
- Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Experience working in Alaska and/or with Alaska Native organizations, Indigenous communities, rural communities, or culturally grounded organizations is strongly preferred
- Ability to provide recommendations that are realistic for a small organization with limited staff capacity
Documents to include with your response
- Cover letter
- Brief statement of interest
- Proposed contract
- Understanding of AEF needs and engagement objectives
- Proposed approach and methodology
- Proposed work plan and schedule
- Description of consultant/team, roles, qualifications, and availability
- Two to four examples of comparable engagements and results achieved
- Two to three client references for similar work
- Proposed fee breakdown and reimbursable expenses
Key dates
- RFP Issued
- November 2, 2026
- Questions Due
- 5:00 p.m. November 13, 2026
- Responses to Questions Issued
- November 20, 2026
- Proposal Due
- 5:00 pm Alaska Time on December 4, 2026
- Proposal Review Period
- December 7-18, 2026
- Consultant Interviews, if needed
- January 4-8, 2027
- Notice of Selection
- January 15, 2027
- Anticipated Project Start
- March 1, 2027
- Target Completion of Assessment and Plan
- May 31, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit electronically in PDF format to the AEF Director by 5:00 pm Alaska Time on December 4, 2026.