Request for Proposals 

Development Consultant  

Founded in 1984, Maine Coast Waldorf School (MCWS) serves students from infant & toddler play programs to early childhood through high school. Our campus in Freeport provides our students with beautifully designed buildings and acres of outdoor classrooms and woodland trails. We seek a consultant to provide strategic development counsel to the Board of Directors, including the Development Committee chair, and to create an implementation plan for a new development function at the School that reflects our culture and current context. The consultant will assess the opportunities and challenges related to fundraising and development at MCWS, and make recommendations to implement a strategic development practice, including a proposed staffing model.  

Scope of Work 

MCWS is seeking the following work and related deliverables from the Consultant. 

• Identify current barriers/areas of (mis)alignment among faculty/staff, board and broader community through primary interviews and/or facilitated conversations 
• Review data and other giving trends to identify strengths and opportunities for MCWS (i.e., types of funding) 
• Create data-driven strategic, multi-year development plan for MCWS (this can be relatively short-term: 2–5 years) to grow operating support and endowment 
• Identify tactics and approach to increase alignment among MCWS around development and fundraising, collaborate with the Board and staff on implementation  
• Recommend a development staffing model that aligns with the multi-year plan 
• Draft job descriptions for development staff and participate in sourcing and hiring conversations  

Consultant Requirements 

• Flexible time commitment based on proposal; we expect Consultants to dedicate hours weekly and be able to commit at least 3 months to this work 
• Experience working in philanthropy, development strategy in a nonprofit educational organization, Waldorf school community (or similar) experience preferred  
• Ability to facilitate small and large group conversations 
• Comfort working with technology (email, Microsoft Office, CRM) 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to operate with a high degree of discretion 
• Experience analyzing development data to draw conclusions and inform recommendations 
• Comfort working with faculty/staff and parents/families   

Submission Criteria and Timeline 

Proposals for the above services will be accepted until June 30, 2023, and are expected to cover the following criteria: 

• Overview of the consultant or firm and approach to meeting the above scope of services, including an estimated timeline for phases of work 
• Background and bios of key personnel to be assigned to the project 
• Examples of past work 
• References (2–3)  
• Engagement Fee Structure 

Proposals should be submitted to Melissa Watson, Business Director at mwatson@mainecoastwaldorf.org. MCWS seeks to make a final decision before the end of June, with work to begin in July 2023.  

About MCWS 

OUR MISSION 

Maine Coast Waldorf School awakens the highest potential within every student by fostering clarity of thought, warmth of heart, and strength of resolve to make a difference in the world. 

OUR PHILOSOPHY 

We develop curious, confident, well-rounded students by engaging their hands, their hearts and their minds. 

We measure our classrooms in acres rather than square feet so that our students appreciate the world around them. 

We foster independent thinking, creative problem solving and a sense of social responsibility because we believe these are skills students need to be successful in life. 

Mainecoastwaldorf.org