Request for Proposals (RFP)

BOLT Farm

submit a proposal

Proposal Instructions (Max 10 pages excluding resume):

  • Cover letter, firm overview, and relevant experience.

  • Approach & methodology; engagement and facilitation plan.

  • Proposed workplan, timeline, and phase-based budget (fixed fee preferred).

  • Three references and a sample deliverable (redacted OK).

Submission: Email a single PDF to ceke@foodanimalconcerns.org with subject “FACT Strategic Planning RFP – [Firm Name]” by Friday, November 14, 2025 – 5:00 pm ET.

Questions: Direct to ceke@foodanimalconcernstrust.org  by Monday, November 3, 2025 – 5 pm ET. Answers will be shared with all who register interest at [link or email].

Scope of Services: 

  • Discovery & Planning: Document review; kickoff session; design of an inclusive engagement process and project roadmap.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Interviews, focus groups, and/or surveys with Board, staff, and partners.

  • Program & Financial Assessment: Analyze existing programs (e.g., Humane Farming, Safe & Healthy Food, and Consumer Education) to identify where to grow, pivot, or phase out. For example, FACT’s Safe & Healthy Food Program has demonstrated strong outcomes but has faced challenges attracting new funding in recent years; the consultant will assess interest, potential funder appetite, and options for re‑energizing or repositioning this work. Similar assessment and opportunity analysis should be conducted across all program areas.

  • Strategic Framework Development: Define priorities, goals, and metrics to strengthen mission delivery, marketing, and fundraising.

  • Retreat Facilitation: Plan and facilitate 2 [virtual] strategic brainstorming and collaboration sessions at FACT’s May 2026 retreat; integrate insights into a near-final draft plan. 

  • Implementation Roadmap: Translate the strategic framework into an actionable 12–24 month roadmap with clear owners, milestones, and resource needs. 

Deliverables:

  1. Project plan and engagement design.

  2. Synthesis memo (needs, opportunities, and insights) and slides for internal and retreat use.

  3. Draft strategic framework and recommendations for program direction and resource allocation.

  4. Final Strategic Plan (10–15 pages) and Implementation Roadmap (12–24 months).

  5. Board-ready slide deck and one-page summary for public sharing.

Timeline & Budget:

  • Anticipated timeline: January – June 2026, with key milestones tied to the May 2026 Board retreat.

  • Budget: Proposers to suggest a fixed-fee with itemized phase budgets.

Position Details:

Strategic Planning Consultant — Facilitation & Plan Development

Overview: Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) seeks an experienced consultant or firm to design and facilitate an engaging and participatory strategic planning process, culminating in a concise, actionable 3–5 year Strategic Plan and Implementation Roadmap. We anticipate project launch in early 2026 and completion by mid-2026, aligned with intersecting FACT’s Board retreat in May 2026 (Portland, OR).     

About FACT:

  • Mission: FACT advances a vision in which all food-producing animals are raised humanely and everyone has access to safe and healthy food.

  • What we do: FACT supports humane farmers (grants, scholarships, training, and technical assistance), advances safe and healthy food systems, and engages in policy and consumer education. We are proud of our strong, mission-driven team and are looking to make this next phase a highly engaging, inclusive process for staff and board alike.

Project Objectives:

The consultant will help FACT:

  • Assess how to best allocate new funding to expand impact while staying true to FACT’s mission and existing program pillars.

  • Identify which existing programs to expand, refine, or sunset, and explore new opportunities or emerging areas for growth.

  • Strengthen marketing, fundraising, and communication strategies to enhance reach and sustainability.   

  • Clarify and possibly refine FACT’s tagline or strategic messaging to better communicate our mission and value.

  • Ensure alignment across staff, leadership, and Board around clear priorities and measurable outcomes.   

  • Design and virtually facilitate 2 brainstorming and collaboration sessions for FACT’s planned May 2026 Board retreat, where the consultant will present draft recommendations and engage participants in refining key focus areas.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Alignment with FACT’s objectives and values.

  • Quality of methodology and facilitation approach.

  • Demonstrated capacity to integrate marketing/fundraising insights.

  • Team experience, timeline, and cost value.

  • References and quality of sample work. 

Desired Consultant Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated experience leading nonprofit strategic planning projects with an emphasis on engagement and implementation.

  • Strong facilitation and collaboration skills; ability to create an enjoyable and inclusive process for staff and Board.

  • Expertise in fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy within mission-driven organizations.

  • Familiarity with agriculture, food systems, or animal welfare sectors is a plus.