Strategic Philanthropy & Donor Partnerships (Climate & Rainforest Protection)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Organization: Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS)

Consultancy title: Strategic Philanthropy & Donor Partnerships (Climate & Rainforest Protection)

Contract Type: Consultancy

Location: Remote
Duration: 3 months

1. Background

Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) partners with Indigenous peoples across Latin America to secure land rights protect rainforests and advance climate resilience. As part of its Strategic Plan RFUS is expanding Indigenous-led forest protection while strengthening relationships with philanthropists and families committed to climate biodiversity and human rights.

RFUS seeks an experienced philanthropy advisor to help identify and activate new donor partnerships that can support this work at a transformational scale. The consultancy will be under the Executive Directors direction and will work closely with the Institutional Giving Director the Director of External Relations & Partnerships and the Donor Relations Advisor.

2. Objective

The objective of this engagement is to rapidly expand RFUSs philanthropic partnerships pipeline by identifying advising and engaging new high-capacity donors aligned with RFUSs mission.

This consultancy is designed to catalyze momentum by creating a qualified donor pipeline and launching priority relationships. The consultancy aims to position RFUS for major philanthropic commitments beyond the three-month term.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will serve as a philanthropic strategist and relationship advisor working closely with RFUS leadership to deliver:

• A. Philanthropic Strategy (Weeks 13)
  • Develop a concise 3-month Philanthropic Engagement Plan including: Priority donor types strategic funding themes prospect engagement pathways target prospects and meeting and outreach plans and goals.

• B. Donor & Network Mapping (Weeks 16)
  • Identify and qualify 2030 new philanthropic prospects aligned with RFUSs mission. Prepare donor profiles including: Philanthropic interests and giving history capacity networks and access points and recommended engagement strategy.
• C. Relationship Launch & Engagement (Weeks 412)
  • Support initial engagement with priority donors including: Private briefings with RFUS leadership curated donor conversations and strategic introductions through aligned networks.
  • Prepare donor briefing memos talking points and follow-up strategies and materials.
  • Review critique and work with RFUS staff to improve RFUSs proposals and donor-facing materials to strengthen their clarity credibility and appeal to high-capacity prospects.
• D. Philanthropic Commitments (Weeks 812)
  • Support RFUS leadership in converting interest into: Multi-year commitments donor-advised fund contributions gifts of digital assets or other non-cash contributions.
• E. Handover & Continuity (Final 2 Weeks)
  • Deliver a Donor Pipeline & Next Steps document including: Active donor pipeline engagement status and next steps messaging and outreach tools and recommendations for continued cultivation.
    
    

4. Time and Deliverables

The consultant is expected to require an average of 2-3 days per week for 12 weeks during the contract period to produce the following deliverables. Please note that our offices are closed on U.S. holidays and between Christmas Day and New Years Day.

1. Week 3 - Philanthropic Engagement Plan
2. Week 6 - 2030 qualified donor profiles
3. Ongoing Support for meetings and proposals
4. Week 12 - Pipeline and Next Steps Document
   

5. Performance Benchmarks

The consultancy will require launch and closing meetings as well as weekly meetings to coordinate and monitor the progress of deliverables. By the end of the three-month term RFUS expects:

• 2030 new qualified philanthropic prospects
• 46 substantive donor engagements
• At least 12 donors in advanced commitment or proposal stage
• A clear prioritized pipeline ready for continued cultivation

6. Consultant Profile

The ideal consultant will have:

• A track record advising high-capacity philanthropists or family foundations on environmental or climate giving
• Experience structuring transformational philanthropic partnership
• Familiarity with rainforest climate and Indigenous-rights philanthropy
• Strong networks in philanthropic and donor-advisory communities
• High discretion and strategic communication skills

7. Consultancy budget:

• This consultancy has a total budget range of USD 24000 to USD 36000.
• Travel or additional expenses are not included in this contract and will be considered and preapproved on a case-by-case basis.
  
  

This engagement is designed as an initial three-month term. If strong progress is made and a promising philanthropic pipeline is in place RFUS may choose to extend the engagement for an additional period under mutually agreed terms.

8. Application instructions

• Interested applicants are advised to study the consultancy scope of work carefully reflect in the letter of intention how your work and experience help you meet the requirements we are looking for and share any initial thoughts on how to conduct the proposed work. Applications will not be considered without the submission of a letter of intention and a consultant resume.
• For more information and to apply visit: note that the consultancy will remain open until filled. Interested consultants are encouraged to submit their applications early. Only those consultants who are short-listed for interviews will be contacted.

Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race color religion (creed) age national origin (ancestry) disability marital status sex military status or any other protected status under federal state or local laws in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to a welcoming environment for all members of our staff interns volunteers subcontractors vendors partners and clients. Check our Purpose Vision and Core Values! Experience:

Senior IC