Description
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Evaluation Coaching and Advising Services
Issued by: Nature Collective
Date Issued: December 1, 2025
Proposal Due Date: December 31, 2025
Introduction
Nature Collective is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or firms to provide evaluation services in an advisory and coaching role. We are looking for an evaluator committed to culturally responsive and equitable evaluation who can help strengthen staff capacity to plan for, design, implement, and reflect on program evaluation. The selected consultant will advise and coach staff to improve the design and implementation of existing evaluation approaches and tools used to assess the impact of a nature-based education program serving grade 3-5 students and teachers during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years (estimated January 2026 - May 2027).
Organizational Background
Nature Collective, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a nationally award-winning land trust and educational organization. Our vision is a world where everyone has a passion to connect with, experience, and PO Box 230634 Encinitas, CA 92023-0634 T 760.436.3944 | naturecollective.org 1 501(c)(3) Tax ID: 33-0358660 protect nature. Our mission is to drive a passion for nature, for all. We want our places and events to offer every human a lasting experience and a deep connection with the living world. Our business model centers on Experiences, Conservation, and Consultancy. Our organization has had tremendous success developing and fostering experiences with school and community groups of all ages, many of which are hosted in the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and outdoors in nature at our other conserved and partner properties. For over eight years, Nature Collective has partnered with the Escondido Union School District (EUSD) to engage students, families, and teachers in meaningful outdoor experiences that: Foster positive connections with nature Boost STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) literacy Inspire environmental stewardship Recently, new opportunities have emerged to expand our capacity and approaches to better serve EUSD audiences through more responsive, equitable, and inclusive experiences, including how we evaluate and understand our program outcomes. One of these opportunities is a formalized collaborative partnership with two other nonprofit environmental and educational organizations to serve and support EUSD students and teachers more strategically. As an aspect of this partnership, we aim to advance our collective capacity to conduct culturally responsive and inclusive evaluation that meaningfully assess program outcomes related to student learning and experiences in nature. Inclusion and cultural responsiveness are central to Nature Collective’s mission and values. We believe that by embedding these principles in our evaluation practices, we can more effectively realize our vision of connecting all people to nature.
Project Goals
The primary goals of this project are to:
1. Strengthen staff and partner capacity to more effectively plan for, design, implement, and reflect upon culturally responsive and equitable evaluation practices. 2. Guide and support partner staff in the collaborative re-design and implementation of cross-program evaluation approaches and tools that assess participant experiences and program impacts.
Scope of Work
The selected evaluator will: Serve as a coach and advisor to Nature Collective and partner staff on evaluation planning and implementation. Review and provide feedback on existing evaluation frameworks, tools, and data collection approaches. Support the design and adaptation of evaluation tools and methods that reflect culturally responsive and equitable practices. Facilitate reflective learning sessions with staff to build evaluation capacity and integrate learnings into ongoing practice. Support Nature Collective and partner organizations to develop shared evaluation approaches that can be implemented across programs. Provide recommendations and guidance on data interpretation and utilization to inform program improvement and storytelling. Conduct services during the 2025-2026 and 2025-2027 school years, specifically February 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
Requirements
Qualifications
Experience providing evaluation services in nature-based education, environmental education, or STEAM learning contexts. Individual or firm must be based in Southern California and able to provide both virtual and in-person advising/coaching opportunities. Proposals should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to: Apply culturally responsive and equitable evaluation frameworks in education or community-based settings. Coach and build the capacity of nonprofit or education sector teams in evaluation planning and practice. Design and implement participatory and inclusive evaluation methods. Work collaboratively with multiple partner organizations toward shared goals. Communicate complex evaluation concepts in accessible and actionable ways.
We strongly encourage minority and/or BIPOC owned or led businesses, as well as independently owned small businesses, to apply.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested individuals or firms are invited to submit a Statement of Proposal that includes:
- Cover Letter – Summarizing interest, availability, and alignment with Nature Collective’s mission and values.
- Approach and Work Plan – Describing the proposed approach to coaching, advising, and supporting Nature Collective and partners, including methods for ensuring cultural responsiveness and equity.
- Experience and Qualifications – Outlining relevant experience, expertise, and past projects, particularly those demonstrating success in similar contexts.
- Sample Work Products – Examples of prior evaluation frameworks, tools, or capacity-building materials (if available).
- Project Timeline and Budget – Including estimated costs, hourly or project rates, and proposed timeline for project activities.
- References – Contact information for at least two clients familiar with your evaluation or coaching work.
The proposal should be 1-3 pages, excluding cover letter and sample work products.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive and equitable evaluation
- Relevance and depth of experience in evaluation coaching/advising in education and/or nature-based contexts
- Strength of proposed approach and alignment with project goals
- Quality of past work and references
- Cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed timeline and budget
Submission Instructions
Please submit your proposal as a single PDF document to:
Kristin.Evans@NatureCollective.org
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2025
Questions regarding this RFP may be directed to Kristin Evans, Education + Outreach Senior Director at the email address above by December 15, 2025.
Anticipated Timeline
RFP Released: December 1, 2025
Questions Due: December 15, 2025
Proposals Due: December 31, 2025
Review and Selection: January 5 -16, 2026
Contract Start Date: January 26, 2026
Budget
Nature Collective anticipates a budget of $15,000, depending on scope, expertise, and proposed approach. The final budget will be negotiated with the selected consultant.
Confidentiality
All information provided in response to this RFP will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of proposal evaluation and selection.
Disclaimer
Nature Collective reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to negotiate modifications with any respondent, and to award contracts in a manner that best meets the needs and mission of the organization.
