Chicago Consultant

The ideal consultant will have deep knowledge of Chicagos Jewish communal ecosystem strong local relationships and the ability to quickly discern and analyze the intersections and among Chicago Jewish life Jewish environmental education youth empowerment campus life green business climate action philanthropy and community-building. This person should be a skilled listener thoughtful analyst and trusted convener who can help Adamah understand where its national programs and approach to Jewish environmental leadership could most meaningfully serve the Chicago Jewish consultant will be in contact with Adamahs Chief Community Impact Officer CEO and others to map potential partners conduct stakeholder interviews identify local assets and gaps and surface opportunities for collaboration. The consultant will represent and support Adamah leadership in exploring relationships with Jewish communal leaders institutions funders educators environmental organizations and prospective lay leaders who may help guide the exploration and potentially form the foundation of a future Chicago Advisory responsibilities may include:Conducting interviews with Jewish leaders in Chicago including institutional and philanthropic lay leaders and professionalsMapping the local Jewish and environmental ecosystem including potential partner organizations funders programmatic opportunities and community needsIdentifying gaps opportunities and areas of alignment between Adamahs national programs and Chicagos local Jewish prioritiesHelping plan or support a limited number of community convenings and pilot programs that test interest in Adamahs workProducing a clear landscape report that summarizes findings partnership opportunities risks and strategic recommendationsmost importantly regarding a threshold question: based on Adamahs other hub communities is Chicago well positioned to become Adamahs next hubWorking with Chief Community Impact Officer to develop recommendations for whether and how Adamah should move toward launching a Chicago Community Impact Hub including possible structure staffing funding model program priorities and are especially interested in a consultant who brings strong relational instincts excellent interviewing and synthesis skills comfort working across diverse Jewish communities and the ability to translate listening and research into practical strategic recommendations. Experience with nonprofit strategy Jewish communal life environmental or climate work philanthropy community organizing or place-based program development would be especially role is not simply a research assignment. It is an opportunity to help Adamah enter Chicago with humility curiosity and discipline listening first building trust testing programmatic fit and ensuring that any future Hub reflects local priorities while drawing on Adamahs national network programs and expect this assignment to begin no later than September 2026 and be completed by May 2027. Anticipated consulting fee range: $25000$30000 depending on final scope timeline and deliverables. This is an independent contractor engagement and does not include employee RequirementsInterested consultants should submit a resume and one-page intro that includes the following information to Jodi Lox Mansbach Chief Community Impact Officer of InterestA short note describing why this project is of interest and what you would bring to Adamahs exploration of a potential Chicago ExperienceA summary of relevant experience in Chicago Jewish communal life nonprofit strategy community engagement environmental or climate work philanthropy youth/campus work or place-based program Relationships and KnowledgeA brief description of your familiarity with Chicagos Jewish communal ecosystem and any relevant networks or relationships that would inform this do not expect a full proposal at this stage. We are looking for enough information to understand fit approach local knowledge and likely scope before inviting selected candidates into a deeper conversation.