RFP 2 - Facilitator/Consultant: Board Culture & Organizational Effectiveness Workshop
About Social Venture Network (SVN)
Social Venture Network (SVN) is a community of business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers committed to building a more just, regenerative, and sustainable economy. As SVN prepares for its 40th anniversary and its next phase of organizational growth, the Board of Directors seeks an experienced governance and organizational development consultant to facilitate an interactive Board Culture & Organizational Effectiveness Workshop.
Purpose of the Engagement
The Board recently identified organizational culture as a foundational priority for strengthening governance, increasing engagement, improving accountability, and positioning SVN for future growth. The selected consultant will design and facilitate a three-hour highly interactive workshop that helps board members build a shared understanding of the culture, leadership practices, and governance norms required for SVN's next chapter. The workshop should create practical commitments and recommendations that inform the Board's subsequent strategic planning process.
Objectives
• Develop a shared vision of a high-performing board culture.
• Strengthen trust, accountability, communication, and shared ownership.
• Clarify expectations for volunteer board service.
• Identify behaviors and governance practices that support effective leadership.
• Surface opportunities to improve board engagement and decision-making.
• Produce actionable recommendations for strengthening governance.
Scope of Work
Pre-Workshop:
• Meet virtually with members of the Board.
• Review relevant background materials.
• Design a customized facilitation agenda.
Culture Workshop — 3 Hours
Facilitate an engaging session covering organizational values, board culture, leadership expectations, accountability, communication, governance practices, psychological safety, volunteer engagement, and board effectiveness using interactive exercises and discussion.
Post-Workshop:
Provide a concise (3–5 page) summary highlighting key themes, observations, recommendations, and priorities for the Board's strategic planning process.
Deliverables
• Planning meeting
• Customized workshop agenda
• Three-hour facilitated session
• Summary report with recommendations
Desired Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit governance and board development
• Expertise in organizational culture and leadership development
• Skilled facilitator of executive and board discussions
• Experience supporting volunteer-led organizations
• Experience guiding strategic planning and governance transformation
Proposal Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
• Cover letter
• Relevant qualifications and experience
• Description of facilitation methodology
• Examples of similar engagements
• Sample agenda or approach
• Two references
• Fixed-fee proposal inclusive of preparation, facilitation, and follow-up, Budget range is $2500 - $3500
Timeline
RFP Issued: August 17, 2026
Deadline to Apply: August 28, 2026
Proposal Review and Consultant Selection: By August 30 2026
Planning Meeting: Late August/Early September 2026
Culture Workshop: September 2026
Culture Workshop Summary: Within two weeks following the workshop
The exact workshop date will be coordinated with the selected consultant and should, where feasible, allow the strategic planning process to incorporate relevant findings from SVN's Board Culture & Organizational Effectiveness work.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on governance expertise, facilitation approach, relevant experience, understanding of volunteer boards, ability to foster candid dialogue, references, and overall value.
Vision for Success
SVN believes organizational culture is the foundation upon which strategy, governance, fundraising, and member engagement are built. This engagement will help establish the leadership culture, shared expectations, and governance practices necessary to support SVN's continued growth and impact.
Relationship Between the Culture and Strategic Planning Engagements (2 RFP’s Issued)
SVN views the Board Culture & Organizational Effectiveness and Strategic Planning engagements as distinct but closely connected components of the organization's broader planning process. The culture and values engagement is focused primarily on how the Board works together—including shared values, trust, accountability, communication, leadership expectations, governance norms, and the conditions necessary for effective Board service. The strategic planning engagement is focused on where SVN is going—including organizational purpose, future direction, strategic priorities, programmatic focus, membership and stakeholder needs, sustainability, and the choices necessary to guide SVN's next three years. Findings and commitments emerging from the culture and values process should inform and strengthen the subsequent strategic planning work. SVN welcomes proposals from consultants specializing in either area; however, consultants with demonstrated expertise in both organizational culture and strategic planning may submit proposals for both RFPs and may be selected to lead both engagements. If one consultant is selected for both, SVN expects the consultant to maintain the distinct objectives and deliverables of each engagement while creating continuity between the two processes.
Send proposal to board@svn.org by the deadline of August 28th, 2026. Please identify the name of the RFP you are replying to in the subject line and in the proposal.
