PSC, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, accelerates environmental and social sustainability in the pet industry through education, tools, project support, and collaboration. The organization works closely with companies ranging from brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers. We help companies identify strategic impact opportunities that drive increased profitability. PSC’s awards and programs are highly rated across the industry and include sustainable packaging, sustainable proteins, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Fundraising Consultant

Who We Are

The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a highly successful and rapidly growing 501(c)(3) based in Boulder, CO. We serve the global pet industry and our mission is to advance pet businesses and the industry as a whole through the promotion of improved environmental and social practices. The Coalition is composed of 200 member companies across the world. PSC is committed to measuring, improving, and celebrating our positive impact on the environments and communities where our members do business. 

Founded in 2013, PSC’s expansion has largely been financed through a strong membership model with annual dues and event sponsorships. As the only sustainability organization serving the $1.5 billion global pet industry, PSC is uniquely positioned to provide leadership and convening abilities in order to address large-scale environmental and social issues in the industry. 

PSC has thrived through corporate membership and a robust event sponsorship program, both largely supported through corporate marketing budgets. As we have grown, we recognize that our work provides compelling funding opportunities for private philanthropy, including individuals, grant-making foundations, and corporate foundations. Donors focused on the issues of sustainable ingredient sourcing, sustainable packaging, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, biodiversity, and DEI challenges could profoundly impact our work. Additionally, as our operations and reach have become broader and more sophisticated, the need for independent and diversified funding sources becomes more critical. For more info about PSC, see below.

Project Summary:

PSC is seeking a fundraising consultant or firm with a proven track record in developing fundraising plans, internal capacity building, individual and foundation major gift solicitation, and ongoing fundraising support for small organizations in the environmental and sustainability space. 

The consultant’s responsibilities will focus on the creation of a philanthropic giving program to support the strategic priorities of PSC. This will include:

Phase 1, Internal: Current State Assessment, Case Development, and Prospect Identification

1. Refining the existing Case for Giving and expanding into a pitch deck based on the fundraising plan.
2. Developing a qualified prospect list that includes potential donors aligned with PSC’s funding needs. This prospect list should focus on private foundations and individuals, but also include other environmental and social funding entities such as governments grants, collaborative partnerships, foundations, and corporations.
3. Given our history of strong corporate support, provide strategic guidance on corporate sponsorship as an element of a philanthropic giving program. 

Phase 2, External: Implementation of an effective, durable philanthropic giving  program

1. Conduct training on fundraising and coaching for the PSC Executive Director, board, and staff.
2. Working with the Executive Director, leading the cultivation and solicitation of individual and foundation gifts to achieve 12-18 month  fundraising goals ($100,000 for sustainable packaging initiatives, $100,000 for sustainable ingredients sourcing initiatives, $250,000 for unrestricted support).
3. Help PSC develop a multi-year development plan and implementation strategy to build a fundraising program that generates $1M annually for targeting initiatives and unrestricted support.

Experience Required and Process of Evaluation

All accepted proposals will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and will be evaluated with the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated fundraising success in working with small, rapidly growing nonprofits. Experience and extensive networks among environmental and sustainability funders are essential. Experience working with coalitions and member-funded organizations is an added benefit. 
2. Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting large gifts from individuals and private foundations.
3. Cost effectiveness.

Timeline

The proposed timeline for the project engages consulting support in two phases through 2022: 

Proposals Due April 30, 2022

Candidates interviewed & Selected May 15, 2022

Phase 1: Late June - July 2022

Kickoff

Develop Case For Giving 

Needs Assessment

Prospect Identification & Early Cultivation 

Phase 2: August - December 2022

Active Cultivation & Solicitation - key initiatives

Foundational work to establish ongoing program

Submission Requirements

Please submit proposals electronically to:

Anne Klein & Caitlyn Dudas at [email protected]

Please include: 

1. Cover letter.
2. Experience and qualifications, including the resume of the professional providing direct service for this project.
3. Clear demonstration of understanding of environmental issues and funding sources in the sustainability arena. 
4. A proposed project budget tied to Phases 1 & 2 of the project timelines.
5. References from clients for whom the consultant has performed similar work