Rainforest Foundation
Strategic Philanthropy & Donor Partnerships (Climate & Rainforest Protection)
Rainforest Foundation, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11210
Overview
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 Background
RFUS partners with Indigenous peoples across Latin America to secure land rights, protect rainforests, and advance climate resilience. As part of its 2025–2030 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 Director’s direction and will work closely with the Institutional Giving Director, the Director of External Relations & Partnerships, and the Donor Relations Advisor. Objective
The objective of this engagement is to rapidly expand RFUS’s philanthropic partnerships pipeline by identifying, advising, and engaging new high-capacity donors aligned with RFUS’s 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. 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 1–3)
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 1–6)
Identify and qualify 20–30 new philanthropic prospects aligned with RFUS’s mission. Prepare donor profiles including: philanthropic interests and giving history, capacity, networks and access points, and recommended engagement strategy.
C. Relationship Launch & Engagement (Weeks 4–12)
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 RFUS’s proposals and donor-facing materials to strengthen their clarity, credibility, and appeal to high-capacity prospects.
D. Philanthropic Commitments (Weeks 8–12)
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.
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. The offices are closed on U.S. holidays and between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Week 3 -
Philanthropic Engagement Plan Week 6 -
20–30 qualified donor profiles Ongoing
Support for meetings and proposals Week 12 -
Pipeline and Next Steps Document 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: 20–30 new qualified philanthropic prospects 4–6 substantive donor engagements At least 1–2 donors in advanced commitment or proposal stage A clear, prioritized pipeline ready for continued cultivation 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 Consultancy Budget
This consultancy has a total budget range of USD 24,000 to USD 36,000. Travel or additional expenses are not included in this contract and will be considered and pre-approved 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. 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: https://rainforestfoundation.org/about/join-our-team/ Please 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! https://rainforestfoundation.org/about/mission-history/
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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 Background
RFUS partners with Indigenous peoples across Latin America to secure land rights, protect rainforests, and advance climate resilience. As part of its 2025–2030 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 Director’s direction and will work closely with the Institutional Giving Director, the Director of External Relations & Partnerships, and the Donor Relations Advisor. Objective
The objective of this engagement is to rapidly expand RFUS’s philanthropic partnerships pipeline by identifying, advising, and engaging new high-capacity donors aligned with RFUS’s 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. 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 1–3)
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 1–6)
Identify and qualify 20–30 new philanthropic prospects aligned with RFUS’s mission. Prepare donor profiles including: philanthropic interests and giving history, capacity, networks and access points, and recommended engagement strategy.
C. Relationship Launch & Engagement (Weeks 4–12)
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 RFUS’s proposals and donor-facing materials to strengthen their clarity, credibility, and appeal to high-capacity prospects.
D. Philanthropic Commitments (Weeks 8–12)
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.
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. The offices are closed on U.S. holidays and between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Week 3 -
Philanthropic Engagement Plan Week 6 -
20–30 qualified donor profiles Ongoing
Support for meetings and proposals Week 12 -
Pipeline and Next Steps Document 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: 20–30 new qualified philanthropic prospects 4–6 substantive donor engagements At least 1–2 donors in advanced commitment or proposal stage A clear, prioritized pipeline ready for continued cultivation 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 Consultancy Budget
This consultancy has a total budget range of USD 24,000 to USD 36,000. Travel or additional expenses are not included in this contract and will be considered and pre-approved 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. 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: https://rainforestfoundation.org/about/join-our-team/ Please 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! https://rainforestfoundation.org/about/mission-history/
#J-18808-Ljbffr