Description

Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) Request For Proposal (RFP) for a Strategic Planning Consultant

INTRODUCTION

The Oregon Environmental Council Board is requesting proposals from qualified strategic planning consultants to conduct a far-reaching and inclusive input process to inform a Strategic Plan and guide the organization's work through 2030.

The selected consultant will be responsible for assisting the OEC Board and Executive Director with the full scope of developing a Strategic Plan. OEC is soliciting proposals for these services in accordance with the terms, conditions and instructions set forth in this Request for Proposal.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for OEC to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to the request or for attending any meetings or conferences related to preparing or presenting proposals.

BACKGROUND

OEC excels at environmental policy development, advocacy and implementation. Our roots trace back to individuals who recognized a voice for the environment was missing in the state’s capital. Public policy is critical for tackling systems that harm the environment, our individual and community health, and economic stability. Over fifty years ago, OEC sponsored the first environmental lobbyist in Salem, and through dedicated work, organizing, education, outreach, smart communications and direct advocacy, helped change Oregon’s trajectory. Today, we remain one of the only environmental organizations with a full-time legislative director and we are known as an effective and credible organization for putting new policies in place and – equally as important – defending against harmful proposals. We also see policies all the way through to implementation, serving on many state rulemaking and advisory boards. We help Oregonians live their environmental values, educate the public, do on-the-ground projects, are effective spokespeople in the media, build coalitions, and develop creative partnerships.

OEC’s strategic program areas include: Water, Climate, Transportation, and Environmental Health (toxic-free environments). During past rounds of strategic planning, OEC added two lenses to our work: We want our work to be transformational and to actively increase equity. Within our program areas, we have supported research (sampling air for diesel pollution, testing PFAS exposure risks), demonstration projects (irrigation modernization and energy efficiency programs with nurseries), education and outreach (50 Ways to Love Your River, Cutting Carb(on) workshops for transportation planners, civic engagement trainings), and passing policies (Toxic Free Kids Act, Building Resilience Package, first statewide funding for transit, Clean Fuels Program, groundwater protections, and more!).

As a state and nation, we are in an era of volatility and uncertainty. Environmental harms, such as climate disruption and increasing exposures to toxics, are doing real, measurable harm. Similarly, federal disruption has dismantled protections and gouged a hole in the state budget at a time when resources and investments are more important than ever to make progress. 

Oregon Environmental Council envisions a future in which every Oregonian has access to the healthy air, water, climate and community we need to thrive. To achieve this vision, we strive for equitable environmental policies and practices that give every Oregonian a fair shot at acting on their environmental values, being a part of decisions that affect them, and living in healthy environments. OEC is governed by a Board of Directors currently made up of 15 board members and has a $3.4 million budget funded by foundations, individual donors, corporate sponsors and OEC members. OEC has a team of 19 engaged and expert staff, making up the administrative, programmatic, development and communication teams. OEC is located in Portland, Oregon, but is a statewide-serving organization with partnerships, Board members, and relationships throughout the state. We value collaboration (including bridge building between rural and urban parts of the state), coalition building, science/evidence-based decision-making, resilient communities, lived experience informing solutions, safeguarding the natural world, and a sustainable economy.

EQUITY (JEDI - Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)

OEC is committed to being an equitable and inclusive organization and strives to incorporate equity throughout all of our work and outcomes. Equity will continue to be incorporated as a core value of our next strategic plan, with diversity and inclusion as critical strategies towards what we do and how we operate. Environmental challenges will not be solved until everyone is protected. Currently, disproportionate burdens fall on many low-income and communities of color. Solutions are more robust with inclusive engagement. In addition, OEC is committed to dismantling systemic racism and cultural divisions that undermine these goals. The selected strategic planning consultant will be asked to coordinate with ongoing equity work, and potentially with other equity consultants, in an effort to ensure that OEC’s strategic plan reflects our equity values and goals. 

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

We do not intend to rework core parts of our Strategic Plan, such as our Mission or Vision. However, we seek a consultant who can help us clarify priorities, deliver impact, and be a strong and resilient organization with the following considerations. OEC seeks to:

1. Develop a plan that is adaptable in the face of economic volatility, political polarization, and shifting federal and state dynamics.
2. Position environmental work within broader issues such as affordability, economic security, livability, and democratic participation. 
3. Sustain and effectively manage a growing organization across multiple program areas.
4. Balance proactive policy leadership with the need for defensive strategies, while attending to capacity. Build power and influence to be effective.
5. Deepen the integration of racial and social equity across all areas of work and operations.
6. Strengthen authentic, statewide engagement – particularly in rural communities – and foster shared economic and environmental outcomes

ELIGIBILITY 

Consultants should be experienced in working with organizations in the development of a responsive and a long-term strategic plan. In addition, experience working with environmental, policy and/or statewide organizations is preferred. The intent of the Request for Proposal is to garner proposals from qualified strategic planning consultants to work in partnership with the Strategic Planning Committee, the OEC Board, the OEC staff and community stakeholders. The successful proposer will work directly with the Strategic Planning Committee and the Executive Director to ensure all activities in this project are completed. Demonstrated experience integrating JEDI at a foundation level into strategic planning and the ability to operationalize JEDI into governance and decision-making structures that helps clarify and define roles and responsibilities, is preferred.

SCOPE OF WORK REQUESTED

• Conduct a pre-meeting with OEC Strategic Planning Committee and Executive Director to clarify expectations and desired outcomes.
• Review relevant documents identified by the Board and Executive Director including but not limited to the current Strategic Plan, OEC’s Team
• Charter and OEC’s Values and Beliefs.
• Work with the Strategic Planning Committee to ensure that there is thorough Board, staff and member/donor, and partner engagement. Organize and facilitate meetings to encourage participation and gather insight regarding critical issues and priorities for OEC. We envision using surveys, focus groups and 1:1 interviews as part of the process.
• Partner with OEC communication team on all related event notifications.
• Provide Strategic Planning Committee with documentation of findings from the public and staff meetings, and preliminary direction for a Strategic Plan.
• Provide a draft Strategic Plan by no later than November 1, 2026.
• Attend and present the final report at an OEC Board meeting (December 2026).
• Facilitate developing elements of a Theory of Change

BUDGET

Oregon Environmental Council’s Board has allocated $25,000 for this proposal.  

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on May 29, 2026. OEC assumes no responsibility or liability for late delivery or receipt of responses. In order to be considered eligible for the project, the consultant who would be assigned to the project must be available in-person or by phone/videoconference to respond to questions the weeks of June 1 - 12. The project will be awarded and terms finalized on that date or thereafter. Selection of a consultant under this Request for Proposal does not commit OEC to procuring any services pursuant to this Request for Proposal. OEC will negotiate contract terms upon selection.

Requirements

PROPOSAL CONTENTS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cover Letter: Summarize the proposed team and approach. Describe the background, experience and capabilities of your firm as it relates to the Scope of Work outlined above.

1. Identify the name and title of the primary consultant and any other key team members who will be assigned to this project. For each, provide a summary of qualifications and experience and bio.
2. For each team member, provide the name, telephone number, and email address of at least two references that can attest to the quality and effectiveness of his/her work.

The following information is required for the proposal submission to be considered:

1. Firm name, address, contact name, title, phone number & email address
2. Scope of Work including an outlined approach and strategy to complete the requested Scope of Work
3. Cost estimate for different components of the proposed Scope of Work, and any other project-related costs
4. List of 3 references and examples of similar projects
5. Please include examples of previous strategic planning deliverables

Send Proposals and questions to Jana Gastellum, Executive Director of Oregon Environmental Council, at janag@oeconline.org by May 29, 2026.