RFP - Fund Development Assessment, Funding Model Review, and National Fund Development Strategy

Request for Proposal (RFP) Outline

Fund Development Assessment, Funding Model Review, and National Fund Development Strategy

Issued by:

4-H Canada

(On behalf of the Canadian 4-H Council and the Canadian 4-H Foundation)

Website: https://4-h-canada.ca

1. Organizational Background

4-H Canada is one of Canada’s most respected positive youth development organizations, providing experiential learning and leadership development opportunities for young people across the country.

For more than 113 years, 4-H has helped young Canadians develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills through hands-on learning and mentorship. Today, the organization engages approximately 19,000 youth and 7,500 volunteer leaders who come together in local 4-H Clubs to explore selected topics and complete projects through fun, hands-on activities. There are approximately 1,400 4-H Clubs across Canada.

4-H Canada is a federated model, which means youth members and volunteer leaders are registered participants of a provincial 4-H organization. This network spans 10 independently operating provincial 4-H organizations across Canada. Provincial 4-H organizations are accredited members of 4H Canada (the Canadian 4-H Council).

4-H programs reach youth primarily in rural and agricultural communities and increasingly connect young Canadians to opportunities in agriculture, technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and skilled trades.

The national organization includes two key entities:

1. Canadian 4-H Council

The national operating organization and governing body for 4-H in Canada. 4-H Canada is responsible for strengthening the federation, ensuring cohesive and collaborative efforts in partnership with 10 provincial organizations, which includes leading the 4-H Canada accreditation and insurance program.

In direct support of the 4-H network, 4-H Canada;

• grows partnerships with like-minded organizations,
• increases visibility, and brand oversight
• mobilizes resources to ensure more youth benefit from high-impact 4-H experiences.

2. Canadian 4-H Foundation

The national charitable foundation responsible for:

• Philanthropic fundraising
• Endowment development
• Donor stewardship
• Long-term financial sustainability
• Investment portfolio oversight

To ultimately support the sustainability and growth of 4-H Canada.

4-H Canada is entering a period of strategic growth and is seeking to strengthen its national fundraising (fund development) capacity, long-term funding model, and philanthropic strategy.

2. Purpose of the RFP

4-H Canada is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to conduct:

1. A comprehensive fund development assessment
2. A review and recommendations regarding the current funding model and financial sustainability analysis
3. The development of a national fund development strategy
4. The development of an implementation roadmap

The objective is to support the organization in achieving significant growth in philanthropic revenue and long-term financial sustainability for the Canadian 4-H Council, Canadian 4-H Foundation and provincial organizations.

The selected consultant will provide recommendations that will:

• Grow philanthropic revenue
• Diversify funding streams
• Clarify the relationship between national, provincial, and foundation fundraising
• Improve long-term financial sustainability
• Align fundraising strategy with program growth

3. Project Objectives

The project has three primary objectives:

1. Fund Development Assessment, Funding Model Review and Financial Sustainability Analysis

Evaluate the current fundraising capacity and performance of both the Canadian 4-H Council and Canadian 4-H Foundation, including:

• Organizational fundraising structure
• Current fundraising strategies and revenue streams
• Corporate partnerships
• Cause Marketing
• Major gifts and philanthropy
• Foundation and grant funding
• Alumni engagement
• Donor stewardship and recognition
• Board and volunteer engagement in fundraising
• Internal systems, processes and fundraising policies
• Gaps, opportunities and risks

The consultant will conduct a review of the organization’s funding model, including:

• Current revenue mix and funding streams
• Allocation and use of funds between entities
• National vs. provincial funding activities and opportunities
• Long-term financial sustainability

This analysis should help 4-H Canada:

• Identify the funding required to sustain and scale operations
• Clarify the roles of philanthropic revenue, sponsorship, government funding, and earned revenue
• Identify opportunities to simplify or strengthen financial sustainability

Consultants should also provide benchmarking with comparable national nonprofit organizations where possible.

2. Fund Development Strategy

Based on the assessment, the consultant will develop a national fund development strategy that includes:

Recommendations and prioritization of key revenue streams such as:

• Major gifts
• Foundations and philanthropy
• Corporate partnerships and sponsorships
• Alumni engagement
• Individual giving programs
• Campaign fundraising
• Cause marketing
• Planned giving
• Endowment growth

The strategy should support:

• Growth in philanthropic revenue
• Expansion of national partnerships
• Increased donor engagement
• Guidance re: philanthropic structure (Council, Foundation, provinces)

3. Implementation Roadmap

The consultant will support 4-H’s planning by developing and providing an implementation roadmap with recommendations and resources, including:

• Campaign readiness considerations
• Staffing and resource recommendations, including draft fundraising policies
• Systems and tools required
• Timelines and milestones

The plan should include a 3–5-year horizon.

4. Scope of Work

The engagement is expected to include three phases.

Phase 1A – Organizational Assessment

Key activities may include:

• Document review
• Stakeholder interviews (board, staff, volunteers, partners)
• Review of 4-H Canada’s federated organizational model
• Fundraising performance analysis
• Review of current donor and sponsor portfolio
• Review of existing fundraising materials and processes
• Benchmarking with comparable national organizations

Deliverable:

• Fund Development Assessment Report

Phase 1B – Funding Model Review

As part of phase 1, will analyze financial sustainability and revenue structure.

Key activities:

• Review historical revenue streams
• Analyze funding mix and sustainability
• Identify strengths and gaps in the current model
• Conduct benchmarking with comparable organizations
• Identify alternative funding model approaches
• Stress-test revenue scenarios where appropriate

Deliverable:

• Funding model analysis

Phase 2 – Fund Development Strategy and Implementation Roadmap

The consultant will develop a national strategy and implementation plan.

Deliverables include:

• National fundraising strategy
• An implementation roadmap

5. Deliverables

The consultant will produce:

1. Fund Development Assessment Report, including a review of the funding model and financial sustainability analysis, with recommendations
2. National Fund Development Strategy
3. Implementation Roadmap
4. Final presentation to leadership and Board
5. Project Timeline (Illustrative)

Phase Timeline

RFP Issued Month 1

Consultant Selected Month 2

Phase 1 Assessment Months 2–4

Phase 3 Strategy Development Months 4–5

Final Deliverables Month 6

7. Proposal Requirements

Proposals should include:

1. Firm Overview
   • Company background, capabilities, and nonprofit sector experience.
2. Relevant Experience

Experience with:

• National, nonprofit, federated organizations
• Fund development strategy
• Philanthropy and fundraising
• Funding model design or financial sustainability strategy

3. Proposed Approach

• Detailed methodology for completing the project.

4. Project Team

• Key personnel and their roles.

5. Timeline

• Proposed project schedule.

6. Budget

• Cost proposal with breakdown by phase.

7. References

• At least two references from comparable projects.

8. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Area

Weight

Understanding of objectives

25%

Relevant experience

25%

Strategic approach

25%

Project team

10%

Cost

10%

Ability to meet timeline

5%

9. Submission Details

Proposals must include:

• Maximum 15–20 pages
• Submitted electronically in PDF format. Include project approach, timeline, and cost estimate

Submissions should be sent to:

4-H Canada

Megan Bomberry

Director of Sponsorships

mbomberry@4-h-canada.ca

Deadline: May 20, 2026, 11:00 p.m. EST