About FieldKit

FieldKit is expanding the ways we create impact through a diverse mix of philanthropic support, strategic partnerships, and earned revenue. We are seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Development & Partnerships Consultant to help identify, cultivate, and advance high-value funding and strategic partnership opportunities that can expand FieldKit’s work in conservation technology and community-based environmental monitoring.

This is a fixed-term, 12-month independent contractor engagement for an experienced development and partnerships professional. The consultant will be engaged to produce a defined set of development, partnership, pipeline, and communications deliverables over the course of the engagement.

The ideal consultant will be equally comfortable navigating nonprofit fundraising and commercial partnership environments and will bring strong independent judgement, relationship-building skills, writing ability, and experience moving opportunities from initial prospecting through proposal, negotiation, and close.

Engagement Scope & Deliverables

The consultant will provide development, fundraising, strategic partnership, business development, and related advisory services during the 12-month engagement. The engagement is structured around the following deliverables:

Funding & Partnership Prospect Pipeline

Within the first 60 days, develop and deliver a prioritized pipeline of prospective foundations and institutional funders, corporate and philanthropic partners, NGOs and universities, government agencies and other institutional partners, potential commercial, technology, distribution, and strategic partners. The pipeline should include prospect research, qualification, strategic fit, potential opportunity size, relevant contacts, recommended approach, and proposed next steps.

Deliverable:

• [1] Prioritized funding and partnership prospect pipeline, maintained and updated throughout the engagement

Opportunity Development

Over the course of the engagement, identify and advance a defined portfolio of high-priority funding and partnership opportunities aligned with FieldKit’s strategic objectives.

Deliverable:

• [1] Portfolio of qualified opportunities advanced to substantive next-stage engagement, with progress documented in the shared pipeline
• As appropriate:
  • Letters of inquiry
  • Concept notes
  • Grant proposals
  • Sponsorship proposals
  • Partnership proposals
  • Business development materials
  • Budgets and scopes of work
  • Other materials required to advance qualified opportunities

Funding & Partnership Proposals

Develop compelling proposals and supporting materials for priority opportunities, in collaboration with FieldKit leadership and project teams. These may include foundation proposals, corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships, commercial proposals, or other appropriately scoped opportunities.

Deliverable:

• [Submission of approximately [8–12] substantive funding, sponsorship, or strategic partnership proposals, subject to the availability and timing of qualified opportunities

Relationship Development

Support the cultivation of priority funders and partners through outreach, meetings, presentations, follow-up, and ongoing communications. The consultant will independently manage the development of relationships within the agreed scope, while coordinating with FieldKit leadership when leadership participation is appropriate.

Deliverable:

• Documented advancement of priority relationships through the FieldKit pipeline, including meeting notes, next steps, decision points, and recommended actions.

Development & Partnership Materials

Create or substantially improve a core set of materials that can be used by FieldKit to communicate its mission, technology, impact, and partnership opportunities.

Deliverables:

• [1] Core development/partnership narrative or messaging framework (developed from existing case statement, theory of change, and concept note)
• [1] Funder-facing presentation or pitch deck
• [1] Partnership/sponsorship presentation or pitch deck
• At least [2] case studies, impact stories, or other reusable supporting materials
• [1] Set of reusable proposal, sponsorship, or partnership language as appropriate

Pipeline & Development System

Establish and maintain a simple, practical system for tracking funding and partnership opportunities.

Deliverables:

• [1-3] Centralized pipelines covering philanthropic, institutional, commercial, and strategic opportunities
• [1] Set of defined stages and basic qualification criteria for opportunities
• [52] Weekly lead updates:
  • Consistent tracking of contacts, proposals, next steps, estimated value, timing, and status
  • Pipeline updates summarizing progress, priorities, risks, and recommended next actions

Monthly Strategic Review

Provide FieldKit leadership with an assessment of development and partnership activity and recommendations for the next month. Each review should include:

• Pipeline status and changes
• Priority opportunities
• Opportunities won, lost, or paused
• Key relationship developments
• Funding and partnership trends or opportunities
• Recommended priorities for the following month

Deliverable:

• [12] Development and partnership reports during the 12-month engagement

End-of-Engagement Handoff

During the final month of the engagement, provide a comprehensive handoff of the development and partnership pipeline and recommendations for continued cultivation.

Deliverables:

• [1] Final pipeline and opportunity status report
• [1] Summary of active relationships and recommended next steps
• [1] Inventory of proposals and reusable development materials
• [1] Written set of recommendations for the following 12 months of development and partnership activity

Engagement Period & Structure

• Independent Contractor (1099), remote
• Fixed-term independent contractor engagement for a period of 12 months
• Anticipated level of effort is approximately 2 days per week – to be confirmed by consultant
• Rate: $70/hour, with final rate dependent on experience and qualifications
• Start date: As soon as mutually agreed.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, business development, strategic partnerships, or related fields
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify opportunities, build relationships, and advance prospects through a pipeline
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Experience developing compelling proposals, pitches, sponsorship materials, or other business/fundraising communications
• Evidence of fundraising success
• Strong organizational and strategic skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple opportunities and priorities
• Comfortable working autonomously and exercising independent judgment regarding how best to accomplish agreed-upon deliverables
• Digitally savvy and proficient with Google Workspace, CRM systems, project management tools, and other relevant technology
• Passion for environmental conservation, open technology, community empowerment, or related social-impact work

Preferred Experience

• Experience working across both nonprofit and for-profit environments
• Experience securing foundation, corporate, government, or institutional funding
• Experience with business development, B2B sales, strategic partnerships, or technology partnerships
• Experience working with environmental, conservation, climate, science, technology, or social-impact organizations
• Experience with hardware, software, environmental monitoring, or other technical products
• Experience developing partnerships that combine philanthropic and commercial elements
• Existing relationships with foundations, NGOs, corporations, universities, government agencies, or other organizations relevant to FieldKit’s work

What Success Looks Like

At the end of the 12-month engagement, FieldKit should have:

• A focused and well-qualified funding and partnership pipeline
• A repeatable system for tracking and prioritizing opportunities
• A portfolio of substantive funding and partnership proposals
• Stronger relationships with priority funders and strategic partners
• Improved fundraising and partnership materials
• Clear recommendations and a prioritized pipeline for the following year
• Meaningful progress toward new funding, sponsorships, technology deployments, commercial relationships, and strategic partnerships
• A significant amount of funds raised

Apply

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line “Development & Partnerships Consultant”.

As part of the application process, we will require documentation showing that you independently offer similar services (such as a business website or professional profile, business registration, marketing materials, or evidence of similar work for other clients).