Requests for Proposals: New England Arts Funders Network seeks Consultant

Important Dates

• RFP Issue Date: October 2, 2026
• Proposal Due Date: November 9, 2026
• Interviews: December 1-15, 2026
• Anticipated Contract Start: January 2027

Contact Information

Adrienne Petrillo | apetrillo@nefa.org 
Please email questions with “Question for NEAFN RFP” in the subject line. 

Project Summary

The New England Arts Funders Network (NEAFN) is seeking a qualified consultant who can support both the development of the Network and the engagement of its members. The consultant will work with Network members to deepen relationships, strengthen participation, establish shared goals and structures, and identify opportunities for learning, collaboration, and collective action. The consultant will also guide the Network in defining its longer-term direction and strategy. The anticipated contract period is January – December 2027, with the potential for extension. The contract will be held and managed by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). 

About the New England Funds Network

The mission of the New England Arts Funders Network is to build a collective space that deepens relationships of those working in arts philanthropy in New England and supports opportunities for shared learning and collaboration working towards systems change. Members represent interconnected funders who are uniquely positioned to collaborate on shifting practices and shaping change within New England’s arts funding ecosystem. The Network is made up of individuals working within a diverse range of organizations, including private and family foundations, community foundations, state or city agencies, and philanthropic advisors. Each has a diverse funding structure and scale across grants, investments, and technical assistance.

Background + Opportunity

In fall 2025, a group of funders from New England informally met at the Grantmakers in the Arts conference. Since then, the group has met regularly to discuss how a formalized structure could support arts philanthropy in New England. 

A meeting in November 2025 served as a foundational dialogue between arts and culture funders in New England, with the aim of exploring collaborative possibilities and nurturing a regional network. A summary of the key observations and themes was shared back with the full group for further reflection. 

A subsequent survey of participants revealed three areas for further exploration in building this network: 

• Networking & Relationship Building 
• Mapping & Organizing the Funding Landscape in New England
• Support & Collaboration to Address Challenges of the Moment 

NEAFN is now seeking a consultant who can help move the Network into its next phase of development. This is an opportunity to support an emerging network in building a more formalized structure, for learning and strengthening relationships and participation among members, and exploring how members can learn, collaborate, and coordinate action. The consultant will also help the Network consider its longer-term role within New England’s arts funding ecosystem and guide the development of its future direction and strategy.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will work in partnership with Network members and a steering committee to support the development of NEAFN in 2027. 

The work will include:

Network Development + Engagement 

• Support NEAFN in developing a more formalized structure for the Network, including approaches to membership, participation, communication, and decisionmaking. 
• Strengthen relationships, trust, and cohesion among Network members. 

Facilitation, Administration, + Coordination 

• Plan and facilitate approximately six Network meetings, including virtual and potentially in-person gatherings. 
• Develop meeting agendas and structures in partnership with the steering committee and Network members that are responsive to emerging themes. 
• Facilitate regular planning and strategy meetings with the steering committee. 
• Coordinate scheduling, communications, and other logistics necessary to support the Network and steering committee meetings.
• Document key discussions, decisions, and next steps and support follow-through between meetings.

Learning

• Identify and bring forward relevant models, practices, and lessons from other coalitions and collaborative efforts, including approaches to coalition building, shared decision-making, and systems change. 
• Help members identify areas where additional learning and exploration could inform the Network’s development and future direction.

Strategic Direction

• Guide the Network in defining its longer-term direction and strategy. 
• Help translate the Network’s emerging direction into actionable priorities and next steps.

Anticipated Deliverables

Specific deliverables will be refined; however, anticipated deliverables include: 

• Initial work plan 
• Planning and facilitation of approximately six Network meetings, including scheduling, agendas, coordination, and supporting materials. Most meetings will be virtual with the occasional in-person or hybrid meeting. 
• Regular planning and strategy meetings with the steering committee. 
• Documentation of key discussions, decisions, and next steps from Network meetings. 
• Relevant research, models, and resources to support shared learning and inform the Network’s development. 
• A final written document, no more than 10 pages, developed in partnership with the steering committee that outlines the Network’s emerging priorities, structure, strategic direction, and recommendations for its next phase. 

Deliverables will include approximately six network meetings and additional planning meetings with a steering committee of network members.

Project Budget

The total budget available for this contract is up to $25,000, inclusive of all fees and expenses. In-person meeting expenses should not be included in the contract budget and will be paid directly by NEFA or Network members. Applicants should propose a scope and level of effort that can be accomplished within this budget.

Qualifications

The strongest candidate should be excited to support an ecosystem of diverse arts funders in New England and bring experience with:

• Coalition building and network building, particularly in support of systems change. 
• Collaborative strategy development and design, including helping groups identify shared goals, priorities, and pathways for action. 
• Facilitating groups with different organizational roles, perspectives, positional power, and priorities. 
• Existing tools for collaboration and information sharing 
• Different forms of group decision-making, including consent-based decisionmaking 
• Providing logistical and administrative support for virtual and in-person meetings 

Experience working specifically with arts and culture funders, funders network, or arts and cultural coalitions is welcomed but not required. We encourage candidates with relevant experience in other sectors, peer networks, coalitions, or collaborative efforts to apply.

Your Proposal

Please submit a proposal that addresses the areas below. Proposals should be no more than eight pages. These are intended as a guide rather than a required format. We welcome applicants to structure their proposal in the way that best reflects their work, approach, and experience. 

• Introduction + Statement of Qualifications and Experience: Tell us about yourself and the experience you bring to this work. 
• Approach and Response to Scope of Work: Describe how you would approach the scope of work and support NEAFN at this stage of its development. 
• Sample Timeline + Deliverables: Provide a high-level sense of how you might structure the engagement and what you anticipate could be accomplished during the contract period. The final timeline and deliverables will be developed in partnership with NEAFN. 
• Relevant Examples: Share up to three examples of relevant work which could include published reports or papers, surveys or other tools for gathering input, or documentation of network mapping. Please include an agenda sample as one example. 
• Budget: Provide a proposed budget. A detailed line-item is not necessary. 
• References: Provide contact information for two references who have been previous clients and can speak to your relevant experience and briefly describe your working relationship with each.

Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of NEAFN members in November. Select applicants will be invited for an interview in early December before a final consultant is selected.

RFP Submission

Please submit your proposal to Adrienne Petrillo at apetrillo@nefa.org by November 9, 2026. If you need assistance to fully participate in the RFP process, you may submit an accommodation request by contacting NEFA’s co-accessibility coordinators: accessibility@nefa.org