NATIVE AMERICAN FISH AND WILDLIFE SOCIETY

Request for Proposal(RFP)

PROJECT NAME/DESCRIPTION: Development Director

COMPANY: Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS)

ADDRESS: 10465 Melody Dr. Ste. 325 Northglenn, CO 80234

CONTACT PERSON: Ashley Mueller, Education & Advancement Director

TELEPHONE NUMBER:(303) 466-1725, Ext. 203

EMAIL: amueller@nafws.org

1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS), established in 1983, is a 501 (c)3 non- profit organization with a mission to assist Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with conservation, protection and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources. We serve our 227 Native American and Alaska Native Support member Tribes and growing individual membership. We are a national organization, based in the northern Denver, CO area.

The Development Director role involves dealing with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Must be able to work with minimal instruction or supervision and be productive for NAFWS.

The Development Director will be responsible for conducting business in a manner that coincides with the Articles of Incorporation, Strategic Plan, Code of Ethics, and other regulations, policies, and procedures.

The Development Director will be involved in situations that could be complex and sensitive and is expected to always conduct themselves in a professional manner, and to seek guidance and direction on issues from the Education and Advancement Director.

2. PROJECT GOALS AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

NAFWS seeks the services of a qualified Development Director that specializes in fundraising and organization financial advancement to function as the NAFWS Development Director for twelve (12) months. The Development Director will work closely with the Education & Advancement Director. The award will be given to a responsive and responsible person/firm based on the best value and professional capability.

The Development Director shall be responsible for the following tasks including, but may not be limited to:

• Support the update and execution of a fundraising plan with input from administration and/or team leads while working alongside Education & Advancement Director
• Ensure that fundraising plan coincides with NAFWS’ Strategic Operation Plan for 2027-2029
• Coordinate the path (specific tasks and projects) to achieve quarterly and annual goals; create and/or monitor project plans, coordinate with team members, coordinate and lead regular group meetings, track progress, send reminders, and follow-up to support the team to advance key fundraising timelines, projects, and goals
• Maintain systems for tracking incoming and existing funders, prospect potentials, deadlines, regular donor engagement communications, and key benchmarks.
• Aid in improving event sponsorship process and communication (i.e. regional and national conference)
• Coordinate and support NAFWS’s efforts to grow and engage with our pool of prospective funders
• Develop SOP for reaching out to new funders, meeting with new funders including prep materials (project portfolios, funding briefs, etc.)
• Prepare senior leadership for funder meetings, including conducting research and developing prep materials for meetings that synthesize the funder’s portfolios, topics of interest, connection to NAFWS work, and sense of the grant sizes/distributions
• Develop and write first draft of donor and fundraiser engagement emails from first connection to appreciation for their support
• Project manage funder outreach and engagement communications, including a funder engagement calendar
• Research and identify foundations and institutions for possible funding opportunities
• Ensure that all templates, deliverables, databases are updated and accessible to appropriate NAFWS staff in relation to fundraising, advancement, donors, etc.

3. ANTICIPATED SELECTION SCHEDULE

The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:

• Request for RFP: September 21, 2026
• Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 pm MT October 23, 2026
• Selection of Consultant/Notification to Unsuccessful Consultant: November 10, 2026
• Contract Award: December 7, 2026

4. TIME AND PLACE OF SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

The RFP will be posted on our website, www.nafws.org, and can be downloaded from there directly as of 12:00 pm, MDT on September 21, 2026.

Respondents to this RFP must submit one original proposal. Proposals should be clearly marked “2026 Proposal for Development Director” and emailed to the contact person listed above.

5. TIMELINE

This contract with NAFWS will be for a period of 12 months from signature (estimated 12/7/26) will be evaluated in October 2027, for renewal.

6. ELEMENTS OF PROPOSAL:

A submission must include, at a minimum, include the following elements:

Description of the firm that includes:

• General overview of your firm
• Primary and secondary points of contacts within your firm; name(s), email address, phone numbers and credential(s)
• Number of full-time employees you have and how many will be assigned to this project with their level of non-profit auditing expertise. Please include any use of sub-contractors.
• A one-page narrative outlining the firm’s strengths and distinguishing skills or capabilities as they relate to Development Director skills and experience working with Native American organizations and/or clients.
• Please provide (3-5) references where project work your firm has performed and completed that was similar to project needs, goals and objectives.

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The successful respondent will:

• Have the infrastructure to complete all aspects of the RFP.
• Proven experience as a Development Director or similar role.
• Shown the education, experience (a minimum of 5 years organizational experience), knowledge, skills and qualification of the Development Director specialty and knowledge and skills
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills with outstanding communication abilities.
• Highlight their expertise working with Native American and/or Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal organizations.

8. PRICING PERFORMANCE:

Based on the project specifications, goals and scope of work, please submit a detailed cost proposal to include all aspects, costs, fees and expenses of providing the scope of work associated with this Request for Proposal.

NAFWS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at NAFWS are based upon one’s qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. As provided in federal law, the NAFWS does provide employment preferences for Native Americans and veterans of U.S. Armed Services. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender status), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law.