Foundation Fundraising Consultant

1. INTRODUCTION

Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP) seeks an experienced foundation fundraising consultant to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to diversify our funding base, increase institutional giving, and strengthen our capacity to secure multi-year foundation grants. This engagement will support H-CAP's mission to advance equity and job quality in the healthcare workforce while positioning the organization for sustainable growth.

2. ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

H-CAP is a national labor-management organization that promotes job quality and equity for the healthcare workforce through "high-road" training partnerships and worker-centered workforce development strategies. We envision a healthcare industry that provides quality jobs for all workers and quality care to all service recipients, in which workers of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds can access equitable career advancement opportunities and prosper with dignity at all levels, from entry-level to advanced specialty roles.

H-CAP leverages a unique labor-management partnership approach to achieve our vision. Our national network—the H-CAP Education Association (H-CAP EA)—convenes over 1,000 leading healthcare employers and hundreds of thousands of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members nationally to design worker-centered, industry-responsive training, programming, and employee benefits at the forefront of healthcare education today. Together, H-CAP/H-CAP EA delivers evidence-based, adult-learner-centric career education options and benefits directly to over 630,000 healthcare workers across seventeen states plus D.C., bringing diverse stakeholders to the table to solve ever-evolving industry challenges and meet the needs of workers, employers, and communities.

2.2 Current Funding Landscape

H-CAP's current funding portfolio includes government contracts, membership fees, and foundation grants. While we have successfully secured funding from key foundations , we recognize the need to diversify our institutional giving base, cultivate new foundation relationships, and develop a more strategic approach to identifying and pursuing grant opportunities aligned with our programmatic priorities.

3. PROJECT PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION

This project aims to strengthen H-CAP's foundation fundraising capacity and establish sustainable systems for identifying, cultivating, and securing institutional funding. The selected consultant will work collaboratively with H-CAP leadership, program staff, and the Board of Directors to develop a multi-year foundation fundraising strategy that aligns with our organizational priorities and positions H-CAP for long-term financial sustainability.

4. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The consultant will work with H-CAP to accomplish the following objectives:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of H-CAP's current foundation fundraising capacity, systems, and practices
• Develop a strategic, multi-year foundation fundraising plan that identifies priority funding areas, target foundations, and cultivation strategies
• Create or refine compelling case statements and grant narratives that effectively communicate H-CAP's impact and programmatic work
• Research and identify 30-50 potential foundation funders whose priorities align with H-CAP's mission and programs
• Create concept papers and project pitches for protentional funders
• Write and submit grant applications and proposals
• Develop and implement systems for grant tracking, reporting, and relationship management
• Provide training and capacity building for H-CAP staff on foundation research, grant writing, and funder stewardship
• Support the preparation and submission of 3-5 foundation grant proposals during the engagement period
• Establish a framework for ongoing foundation relationship management and stewardship

5. PROJECT SCOPE

5.1 Assessment and Strategy Development

• Review existing fundraising materials, grant proposals, funder reports, and foundation relationships
• Conduct interviews with key staff, board members, and current foundation partners to understand organizational strengths, challenges, and priorities
• Assess current systems for grant management, tracking, and reporting
• Conduct comprehensive prospect research to identify target foundations
• Develop a multi-year foundation fundraising strategy with specific goals, timelines, and metrics
• Create or refine organizational case statements and funding priorities documents

5.2 Phase 2: Implementation and Capacity Building (Months 4-9)

• Support the development and submission of 3-5 grant proposals to targeted foundations
• Implement grant tracking and management systems (provide recommendations for CRM/database solutions if needed)
• Develop templates for letters of inquiry (LOIs), concept papers, and grant proposals
• Provide staff training on foundation research, grant writing best practices, and funder relationship management
• Facilitate cultivation meetings or calls with priority foundation prospects (as appropriate)
• Develop stewardship plans for existing and new foundation funders

5.3  Sustainability Planning

• Create an annual foundation fundraising calendar with key deadlines, touchpoints, and milestones
• Develop internal processes and workflows for ongoing grant management
• Provide guidance on staffing considerations and resource allocation for foundation fundraising
• Establish metrics and reporting mechanisms to track progress against fundraising goals
• Deliver a final report with recommendations for sustaining and growing foundation fundraising capacity

6. DELIVERABLES

The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

• Organizational assessment report with findings and recommendations
• Multi-year foundation fundraising strategic plan
• Prospect research database with 30-50 qualified foundation leads
• Refined case statements and organizational funding priorities document
• Grant proposal templates and writing guidelines
• Grant tracking and management system recommendations and implementation support
• Staff training materials and capacity-building resources
• 3-5 rant proposals submitted to targeted foundations
• Foundation stewardship and relationship management framework
• Annual foundation fundraising calendar
• Monthly progress reports and quarterly check-ins with H-CAP leadership
• Final report with sustainability recommendations

7. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal consultant will possess:

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in foundation fundraising, preferably with mission-driven organizations
• Proven track record of securing six-figure and seven-figure foundation grants
• Demonstrated expertise in prospect research and foundation relations
• Strong grant writing skills with experience crafting compelling narratives for complex programmatic work
• Knowledge of the healthcare, workforce development, labor, or equity/social justice sectors preferred
• Experience building fundraising capacity and systems in growing organizations
• Excellent communication and training skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Understanding of equity principles and commitment to anti-racist organizational practices

8. PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

This Request for Proposal represents the requirements for an open and competitive process. All proposals must be signed by an official agent or representative of the company or individual submitting the proposal.

If the organization or individual submitting a proposal must outsource or contract any work to meet the requirements contained herein, this must be clearly stated in the proposal. Additionally, all costs included in proposals must be all-inclusive to include any outsourced or contracted work. Any proposals that call for outsourcing or contracting work must include the name and description of the organizations or individuals being contracted.

All costs must be itemized to include an explanation of all fees and costs. Contract terms and conditions will be negotiated upon selection of the winning bidder for this RFP. All contractual terms and conditions will include the scope of work, budget, schedule, and other necessary items pertaining to the project.

9. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposals should include the following components:

9.1 Cover Letter

A brief introduction outlining your interest in the project and understanding of H-CAP's mission and fundraising needs (maximum 2 pages).

9.2 Qualifications and Experience

• Resume or organizational profile demonstrating relevant experience
• Description of similar foundation fundraising projects completed, including outcomes achieved
• Examples of successful grant proposals written (if available, with identifying information redacted as appropriate)

9.3 Proposed Approach and Work Plan

• Detailed methodology for achieving project objectives
• Timeline with key milestones and deliverables
• Description of how you will collaborate with H-CAP staff and ensure knowledge transfer

9.4 Budget

• Detailed budget breakdown including consultant fees, expenses, and any anticipated additional costs
• Fee structure (hourly rate, project-based fee, or monthly retainer)
• Payment schedule

9.5 References

At least three professional references from organizations for which you have provided foundation fundraising services, including contact name, title, organization, phone number, and email address.

10. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevant experience and demonstrated success in foundation fundraising (35%)
• Quality and feasibility of proposed approach and methodology (30%)
• Understanding of H-CAP's mission and the healthcare workforce development/equity sectors (15%)
• Cost-effectiveness and value proposition (10%)
• Strength of references and past client satisfaction (10%)
• Capacity building and knowledge transfer approach (10%)

11. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND PROJECT TIMELINE

11.1 RFP Timeline

• RFP Released: January 15, 2026
• Questions Due: January 31, 2026, 5:00 PM EST
• Proposals Due: February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM EST
• Evaluation Period: February 17-28, 2026
• Finalist Interviews (if needed): March 3-7, 2026
• Selection and Notification: March 14, 2026
• Contract Execution: March 21, 2026

All proposals in response to this RFP must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EST on February 14, 2026. If additional information or discussions are needed with any bidders during the evaluation period, the bidder(s) will be notified. Upon notification and selection, contract negotiation with the winning bidder will begin immediately.

11.2 Project Timeline

The project is expected to begin on or around April 1, 2026, and conclude no later than March 31, 2027. The selected consultant should be prepared to begin work upon contract execution.

12. BUDGET

All proposals must include proposed costs to complete the tasks described in the project scope. The total budget for this project should not exceed $75,000. This budget should include all consultant fees, anticipated expenses, and any technology or system recommendations.

Consultants should clearly delineate what is included in the proposed fee and what expenses (travel, research databases, software subscriptions, etc.) may be billed separately. Any expenses requiring pre-approval must be identified in the proposal.

13. QUESTIONS

Questions regarding this RFP should be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line: H-CAP Foundation Fundraising Consultant RFP no later than January 31, 2026. Responses to all questions will be shared with all prospective bidders.

H-CAP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive irregularities and technicalities, and to request additional information from bidders. H-CAP also reserves the right to negotiate final terms and conditions with the selected consultant.