REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FG Foundation’s Impact Measurement and Evaluation Study

1.0 Summary

The Future Generations Foundation (FG Foundation) invites proposals from qualified consultants to undertake a comprehensive Impact Measurement and Evaluation Study examining more than ten years of grant making to First Nations individuals and organizations across Canada.

FG Foundation is a First Nations led funder and steward of the remaining Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) funds. Since 2015, the Foundation has distributed significant funding through multiple grant streams and has consistently collected administrative and reporting data. To date, however, analytic efforts have focused primarily on outputs. FG Foundation is now seeking external expertise to support a more rigorous assessment of outcomes and impact.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of FG Foundation’s funding over time, including what outcomes have emerged, who has benefited, and how impact is understood and experienced by grant recipients and communities. The study will also assess the extent to which current funding priorities, application and reporting requirements, and internal processes align with community identified needs, Indigenous values, and FG Foundation’s strategic direction.

The Impact Measurement and Evaluation Study is expected to combine quantitative analysis of historical grant making data with qualitative, culturally appropriate engagement methods. Consultants are expected to apply Indigenous informed evaluation approaches, uphold Indigenous data sovereignty principles, and employ non extractive methods that support respectful engagement and meaningful participation.

Findings from the study will inform FG Foundation’s future grant making, operational improvements, and internal learning practices. In addition, FG Foundation intends for selected insights and lessons learned to be shared publicly to contribute to learning within the broader Indigenous philanthropic and funding ecosystem.

The successful proponent will demonstrate strong experience in impact evaluation, knowledge of Indigenous contexts and governance, and the ability to clearly synthesize data into practical findings, recommendations, and tools that support ongoing organizational learning.

2.0 Background of FG Foundation

The FG Foundation is Canada’s largest First Nations led and operated non‑governmental funder, supporting the prosperity and well‑being of First Nations through connection to way of life, language, and culture now and for future generations. We provide flexible grant funding to strengthen education, cultural revitalization, healing, and community programming from coast to coast to coast.

Our approach is grounded in First Nations governance, cultural understanding, and lived experience. We honor community autonomy, uphold cultural protocols, and work to ensure resources reach the people and places driving self‑determined change. Our support reaches remote and urban Nations alike, enabling language programs, healing initiatives, land‑based education, post‑secondary learning, and community‑led programs Each year, thousands of individuals and organizations turn to the FG Foundation to advance their own paths to well‑being and cultural strength. As stewards of the remaining Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) funds, we carry a responsibility to Survivors of Residential Schools. Since we started grantmaking in 2015, we have redistributed over $131 million to 910 organizations and 10,600+ individuals, reaching more than 150,000 Residential School Survivors and their descendants.

Additional information can be found at www.fgfoundation.ca

3.0 Scope of Work

The study will be conducted in four interconnected phases over ideally 2-3 years starting at the end of July or beginning of August 2026. The overall timeline is flexible based on what the proponent deems feasible with the task load and deliverables. The bulk of the work will be done virtually but travelling to a board meeting or two may be required. Please include travel expenses in your proposed budget.

Phase 1: Data Landscape Review and Impact Framework Design

Purpose:
To understand what data currently exists, assess data readiness, and codesign a values‑aligned impact framework that establishes clear learning questions and outcome pathways without making evaluative claims.

The consultant will:

• Conduct a data landscape review of FG Foundation’s existing grantmaking and administrative data across all funding streams.
• Inventory available data sources, including quantitative, qualitative, narrative, and administrative data.
• Assess data quality, coverage, consistency, and limitations.
• Identify preliminary patterns and information gaps to inform framework and indicator design.
• Assess readiness for outcome‑level analysis and identify areas requiring new or adapted data collection.
• *Please note that data includes ten years of granting a total of $131 million to 910 organizations and 10,600+ individuals.

Impact Framework and Design Activities:

• Design an impact framework aligned with FG Foundation’s mission, values, funding streams, and long‑term objectives.
• Articulate outcome pathways, including short, medium, and long‑term outcomes.
• Develop a Theory of Change, identifying core assumptions and causal relationships.
• Identify draft learning questions to guide analysis and engagement.
• Propose KPIs, indicators, and potential baselines, grounded in Indigenous‑defined understandings of well‑being.
• Develop or refine data governance and data collection protocols that reflect Indigenous data sovereignty principles (e.g., ownership, control, access, and stewardship).

Phase 2: Data Analysis

Purpose:
To conduct focused and ethical data analysis guided by the impact framework and learning questions developed in Phase 1.

The consultant will:

• Analyze existing grant making data in relation to defined outcome pathways and indicators.
• Examine trends, patterns, strengths, gaps, and inconsistencies across funding streams.
• Identify outcome signals, areas of progress, and systemic barriers, while clearly acknowledging data limitations.
• Assess alignment between current grantmaking practices and intended outcomes.
• Prepare preliminary findings and analytical summaries to support interpretation and engagement.
• *Please note that data includes ten years of granting a total of $131 million to 910 organizations and 10,600+ individuals.

Phase 3: Community Engagement and Shared Sensemaking

Purpose:
To validate, contextualize, and deepen understanding of findings through community‑led interpretation and dialogue.

The consultant will:

• Identify appropriate and culturally responsive engagement approaches (e.g., listening circles, interviews, group discussions, or surveys).
• Facilitate engagement activities with beneficiaries, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Share preliminary findings and framework elements in accessible formats.
• Support community‑led sensemaking, inviting perspectives on:
  • Whether findings reflect lived experience
  • What outcomes matter most
  • What is missing, misrepresented, or misunderstood
• Incorporate community insights to refine interpretations, indicators, and outcome pathways.

Phase 4: Final Reporting and Knowledge Mobilization

Purpose:
To translate learning into actionable insights that strengthen grantmaking practice, accountability, and long‑term impact capacity.

Based on combined analysis, community insights, and FG Foundation’s impact goals, the consultant will:

• Prepare a final report synthesizing findings, insights, and refined framework components.
• Provide recommendations to:
  • Strengthen funding streams and grantmaking practices
  • Improve alignment with community priorities
• Identify potential adjustments to grantmaking processes (e.g., application, reporting, timelines, and program officer support) to better reflect FG Foundation’s values.
• Highlight opportunities to enhance relational accountability, transparency, and communication.
• Map potential indicators, data sources, and evaluation pathways for future use.

Develop knowledge mobilization outputs (e.g., summaries, presentations, or briefing materials) tailored to internal teams, leadership, and community audiences.

Close Collaboration

The successful bidder will work closely with the Executive Director and staff to develop the specific details of the planning process, including the timeline, logistics, and the look and feel of the deliverables. You should also expect multiple touchpoints with our board of Trustees.

4.0 Deliverables

Deliverables may include:

Phase 1: Data landscape review and Framework design

a. Data Landscape Summary Memo: a concise summary of existing data sources, data quality, coverage, gaps, and readiness for analysis.

b. Draft Impact Framework: Including outcome pathways, learning questions, and proposed indicators aligned with FG Foundation’s mission and funding streams.

c. Draft Theory of Change: Visual and/or narrative articulation of assumptions and pathways.

d. Proposed Methodology Overview: Outline of analytical approach, methods, and data governance principles (to be refined in later phases).

Phase 2: Data analysis

a. Analytical Summary or Working Paper: Documenting key patterns, findings, limitations, and outcome signals tied to the impact framework.

b. Preliminary Findings Deck or Brief: Designed to support interpretation and community engagement, not final conclusions.

c. Updated Indicator and Data Feasibility Map: Highlighting which indicators are supported by existing data and where gaps remain.

Phase 3: Community engagement and shared sensemaking

a. Community Engagement Approach and Tools: Engagement plan and discussion guides.

b. Community Sensemaking Summary: Synthesized, anonymized insights from listening circles, interviews, or consultations.

c. Refined Impact Framework and Indicators: Updated to reflect community interpretation and feedback.

Phase 4: Final Report and knowledge mobilization, including:

a. Comprehensive impact evaluation & learning report, including:

i. Recommendations for strengthening funding streams

ii. Recommendations for operational and process improvements

iii. Suggested long‑term indicators or evaluation pathways

b. Plain‑language, community‑facing summary

c. Internal tools or templates to support continuous learning

d. Knowledge mobilization materials (e.g., presentations, infographics, briefs)

e. Presentation to FG Foundation Board of Trustees

f. (Optional) Facilitation of internal staff workshop to integrate findings

g. (Optional) Facilitation of external learning workshops to share insights

5.0 Proposal Contents Requirements:

In order to make the evaluation process efficient and obtain maximum comparability, FG Foundation requires that all responses to the RFP be organized in the manner and format described below:

a. Executive Summary

The proposal must include an Executive Summary that demonstrates the proponent’s understanding of the work to be performed and its alignment with FG Foundation’s mission, values, and context. The Executive Summary should provide a concise overview of the proposed approach, confirm the proponent’s capacity to complete the work within the specified timeframe, and reference estimated levels of effort. This section should clearly convey overall fit, readiness, and alignment with FG Foundation’s learning‑oriented and community centered approach.

b. Project workplan and Timeline

The proposal must describe how the proponent will approach the proposed services, including a clear explanation of the workplan, sequencing of activities, and proposed timeline. This section should demonstrate a strong understanding of the project requirements and describe the proponent’s approach to impact, evaluation, and learning across all phases of work. Proponents must outline the type and level of assistance that will be required from FG Foundation staff, leadership, and the Board of Trustees, as well as the proposed communication and issue‑resolution processes. Proponents should also demonstrate knowledge of Indigenous cultures, organizations, governance, and community‑based approaches, and explain how this knowledge will inform project delivery.

c. Firm and Team Experience

The proposal must provide an overview of the firm’s history, philosophy, size, and organizational structure, and clearly explain how and why the firm is distinct from other proponents. Proponents must describe their approach to impact, evaluation, and learning, with an emphasis on facilitation, relational accountability, and ethical engagement. The proposal must demonstrate experience working with Indigenous non‑profit, charitable, and/or philanthropic organizations of similar size and complexity, including experience with Indigenous governance, culture, Survivors, Elders, and community‑based approaches.

Proponents must also identify the specific team members who will be assigned to the engagement, including their roles, relevant experience, and qualifications, and describe how team members will work together and collaborate with FG Foundation staff, leadership, and the Board. Any actual or potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed, along with a statement confirming the firm’s independence with respect to FG Foundation.

d. Fees

The proposal must include a clear and transparent fee structure for the full duration of the project. Fees should be aligned with the proposed scope, workplan, and level of effort, and should clearly identify what is included in the proposed fee. The proposal should disclose applicable billing rates, assumptions, and procedures, including how any additional or optional services would be billed. Proponents should also indicate whether any guarantees are provided regarding fee increases in future years.

e. References and Relevant Experience

Proposals must demonstrate experience delivering work similar in scope, values, and complexity to this RFP. Proponents should describe recent work (within the past five years) with First Nations and/or non-profit, charitable, or philanthropic organizations.

References will be requested from shortlisted proponents and should be able to speak to the proponent’s experience delivering similar work, facilitation and relationship-building skills, and the quality, usefulness, and timeliness of deliverables.

Proposals will be assessed on the relevance and quality of prior work, strength of client relationships, alignment with Indigenous and community-centred values, and demonstrated ability to successfully deliver the required scope of work.

6.0 Selection Criteria:

FG Foundation will employ a comprehensive set of criteria to determine the most suitable consultant. Considering the pivotal objectives delineated in this document, the assessment of proposals will be grounded on the following criteria:

Criteria	Description	Weight (%)
Relevant experience and qualifications	Demonstrated experience in conducting similar projects within the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector; Additional consideration will be given for experience in the Indigenous sector.Proficiency in facilitation skills, particularly in collaborating with Indigenous communities, Elders, Survivors, boards, staff, and other key stakeholders.	35%
Project workplan and timeline	Clarity and appropriateness of the proposed work plan; Understanding of project requirements; Proposed timeline and workflow	15%
References	Quality and relevance of provided references.	20%
Fees	Transparent and competitive fee structure.	25%
Values alignment	Alignment with FG Foundation’s organizational culture and objectives.	5%

It is important to note that FG Foundation retains the discretion not to proceed with the engagement of any consultant following this Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

FG Foundation invites providers to submit proposals to perform this project.

7.0 Submission Instructions

Please submit your proposal electronically to Naomi Racette at [email protected]

The deadline for proposal submission is June 12th at 5:00pm EST. Late proposals may not be considered.

Please direct all inquiries via email to:
Naomi Racette, Executive Director

E-mail: [email protected]

8.0 Rights of the FG Foundation

This is an RFP and not an invitation to tender. The reader is hereby advised that the FG Foundation reserves the right to:

• Accept a proposal without negotiation;
• Negotiate changes to the technical or financial content of the successful proposal;
• Cancel or reissue this RFP at any time;
• Reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals;
• Accept any proposal as a whole, or in part;
• Cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time;
• Award one or more contracts;
• Verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
• Award contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project

FG Foundation thanks all providers for their interest in this opportunity.