Click here to view the RFP as a pdf in a new tab

London Environmental Network is preparing to embark on the development of our next strategic plan. We are inviting proposals from experienced strategic planning consultants with a demonstrated ability to design and facilitate inclusive, forward-thinking planning processes.

The selected partner will work closely with our Board of Directors and staff leadership to lead a collaborative effort that articulates a clear strategic direction for the London Environmental Network. This process should engage key stakeholders, reflect our organizational values, and position us to deepen our impact within the communities we serve.

We are seeking a partner who can bring both strategic insight and facilitation expertise to help us define clear priorities, strengthen alignment across the organization, and chart an inspiring and practical path toward our mission goals.

About London Environmental Network

The London Environmental Network (LEN) is an environmental charitable organization based in London, Ontario, Canada. Our mission is to build participation, collaboration, and capacity in our community to co-create positive environmental change, so that London is known as one of the greenest and most resilient cities in Canada. The LEN helps to protect our environment and build a more sustainable city by offering environmental programs and climate action opportunities for residents, NGOs, businesses, local First Nations, and equity deserving communities.

Mission Statement

We build participation, collaboration, and capacity in our community to co-create positive environmental change.

Vision Statement

Our vision is for London to be known as one of the greenest and most resilient cities in Canada. 

Programmatic Work

The London Environmental Network (LEN) helps to protect our environment and build a more sustainable city by offering environmental programs and climate action opportunities for all residents. To this end, the LEN delivers a variety of programs and services that cover a wide range of environmental strategies tailored to different audiences, using science-based and solutions-oriented approaches.

Network Supports

Main audience: Environmental groups in London and surrounding areas

The LEN provides capacity-building services to a network of 47 environmental nonprofit and grassroots organizations in the London area. This includes shared resources, networking events, promotional support, workshops, membership calls and project management support, including our micro-grant stream, the Environmental Action Incubator Program. These services strengthen, grow, and amplify existing activities of member organizations so they are better able to achieve their goals. LEN members range from focus areas in conservation to urban agriculture to waste reduction, and more. Ultimately, Network Supports helps to create a more connected, collaborative, and impactful approach to environmental action in London.

Green Economy London

Main audience: Businesses and organizations in London and surrounding areas

Launched in 2019, Green Economy London (GEL) is one of seven Green Economy Canada (GEC) hubs following the GEC framework for embedding sustainability into business operations. The GEL program supports businesses and organizations in London and the surrounding area to set and achieve sustainability targets in four key target areas: greenhouse gas emissions, waste reduction, water conservation and environmental stewardship. GEL provides capacity-building support, resources, reduction strategies, workshops and training, employee engagement programs, incentives and funding opportunities to local businesses. There are over 40 members in the GEL network representing a variety of industries, all with a commitment to a greener way of doing business through practical measurement strategies and projects.

Greener Homes London

Main audience: London residents (homeowners, tenants, and landlords)

Greener Homes London (GHL) helps Londoners reduce their environmental impact at home. With personalized and informative one-on-one calls (called Green Home Consultations) and digital resources about energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction, GHL empowers residents to make eco-conscious choices. Information on available rebates, loans, and incentive programs for implementing green modifications is also provided. The ultimate goal of GHL is to create more sustainable homes for a greener London.

Nonprofit Resiliency Project

Main audience: non-profit-owned multi-unit residential buildings and their tenants

The Nonprofit Resiliency Project (NRP) partners with nonprofit organizations that own multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) and provide housing to equity-deserving populations. Participating in this program is free, and members receive various capacity-building supports including building walkthroughs, sustainability reports, action planning sessions, engagement and training opportunities, carbon accounting, and opportunities to partner on sustainability projects. There are currently eight organizations and 25 buildings engaged in the program, with one deep retrofit completed in 2024 at a Community Living London residence (see case study here). Looking ahead, we hope to expand the types of sustainability support provided to NRP members to include waste, water, and green infrastructure improvements as well as emission reduction projects.

Deshkan Ziibiing Resiliency Project for Sustainable Reconciliation

Main audience: Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

In 2022, we partnered with Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) Treaties, Lands and Environment Department to deliver the Clean Energy in Remote and Rural Communities: Deshkan Ziibiing Retrofit Pilot. This pilot program involved retrofitting a propane-reliant home on COTTFN to near net-zero by replacing all gas burning appliances and heaters with electric models, improving the building envelope, and adding a solar array. Looking ahead, we are continuing to work with COTTFN through the NRP program, but we are eager to pilot similar renewable energy projects in the future.

Thriving Communities

Main audiences: Landowners, community organizations, equity-deserving communities

Thriving Communities focuses on creating equitable green infrastructure projects across London. Green infrastructure is a method of using natural processes to increase green spaces, proliferate biodiversity, manage stormwater, and sequester carbon. Projects to date include: residential rain gardens, mini-forests, pollinator gardens, and edible landscapes. These initiatives provide our city with multiple environmental, health, and social benefits - helping our community thrive!

Special Events, Outreach, and Collaborations

Main audience: All London and surrounding areas residents

The LEN frequently partners with fellow environmental and community-based organizations to raise awareness and connect with the public about local environmental issues. This includes special events like our Sustainability Socials (networking events for members and the public), Green in the City series (drop-in events with City of London and London Public Library), and attending community events with our interactive outreach booth display. In 2024, we connected with over 5,000 community members through events and outreach.

In the past four years LEN’s budget has ranged from almost $700,000 to $1 million CAD. With grants making the largest portion (~60-70%) of funding sources in the past four years, averaging $600,000CAD per annum. With a governance board of 12 at the helm, the organization’ s day to day management is overseen by the Executive Director, Director of HR and Finance along with four programmatic staff. The team is supported by a host of volunteers. 

LEN’s current Strategic Plan 2020-2025 has come to its end of term. It has been for the past five years the guiding document for our strategic priorities, direction and priorities, under the 3 thematic areas :

  1. LEAD – Demonstrate Environmental Leadership
  2. GROW - Strengthen the Environmental Sector
  3. SUSTAIN - Improve Organizational Capacity

With ten years in existence, LEN has entered a time when the organization needs to reflect on where it is today and more importantly where it sees itself in the future.  We seek to review our programs, given challenges and opportunities faced, then define the future of the organization. Engagement of LEN stakeholders is vital for a long term collective vision of what LEN should look like in the future. 

Scope of Work and Deliverables

We are looking to co-create a 5 year strategic plan that:

  • Establishes a renewed mission, vision, and values
  • Identifies 4-5 strategic priorities for the next five years
  • Develops a 1-year operational plan with defined actions, roles, timelines, and KPIs
  • Introduces a framework for monitoring and evaluation; tracking progress and adapting to change
  • Provides a final plain-text strategy document

The selected consultant will support the London Environmental Network in developing a comprehensive five-year strategic plan.  Key Activities should include:

  • Organizational and External Review
    • Review the organization’s current mission, vision, and values.
    • Review the existing organization's strategic plan and programs.
    • Examine other relevant organizational documents.
    • Conduct a current landscape assessment to understand external trends and opportunities.
  • Participatory Engagement
    • Facilitate inclusive engagement with board members, staff, LEN members, GEL members and other environmental sector stakeholders
    • Ensure stakeholder voices inform the development of the strategic plan, fostering buy-in and alignment across the organization and with community partners.
  • Strategic Plan Development
    • Facilitate a strategic plan development process with the Board of Directors and staff.
    • Draft a comprehensive five-year strategic plan reflecting findings and stakeholder input.
  • Implementation Planning
    • Create monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and measure impact.
    • Provide any further recommendations to support implementation of the strategic plan.

Timeline

The process is anticipated to run March 2026 to October 2026

Key Milestone Dates Include:

  • Anticipated Kick-off Meeting March 2026
  • Community Engagement Spring 2026
  • LEN Annual General Meeting June 2026 (We would like to present high level themes at the AGM, with further work completed post-AGM to finalize the strategic priorities and implementation)
  • Final Deliverables Due October 30th, 2026

Submission Requirements

Proposals should provide sufficient detail to allow LEN to evaluate the consultant(s) qualifications, experience, and proposed approach. Submissions should include:

  • Executive summary highlighting the key points of the proposal.
  • Description of experience performing strategic planning for nonprofit organizations and the environmental sector.
  • Realistic work plan and project timeline.
  • Proposed fees and timing of billing, including a cost breakdown for each component of the project.
  • Full legal business name and primary proposal contact information.
  • Summary of at least two previous relevant projects, ideally including at least one strategic plan example.
  • Two to three professional references with contact information.

Evaluation

Selection Criteria

Experience and Expertise (40%)

  • Demonstrated experience leading nonprofit strategic planning processes
  • Relevant sector knowledge and understanding of mission-driven organizations
  • Qualifications and expertise of consultant(s)

Proposed Approach and Methodology (30%)

  • Clear, feasible, and participatory planning process
  • Stakeholder engagement strategies
  • Alignment with organization’s values and goals

Demonstrated Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Community-Driven Processes (10%)

  • Evidence of integrating equity and inclusion in past work
  • Experience facilitating participatory, community-centered processes
  • Understanding of systemic barriers and strategies to address

Timeline and Project Management (10%)

  • Realistic and well-structured project timeline
  • Capacity to meet deadlines and deliverables

Cost/Value (10%)

  • Budget clarity and cost-effectiveness
  • Alignment of proposed services with budget

Selection process:

  • Proposals will be reviewed according to the above criteria by members of the board and staff
  • Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for brief interviews
  • Final decision will be made by early March

Budget

$12,000 to $18,000 (plus HST)

To Apply

Final proposals and any questions should be submitted to Amanda Acosta, [email protected].  Proposals will be accepted up until 4:00PM EST on Friday, February 20th.

Disclaimer

This RFP does not commit London Environmental Network to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this request or to produce or contract for services or supplies. London Environmental Network reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified source or to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFP.

Confidentiality of Submissions

All information submitted in response to this RFP will be treated as confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating proposals. London Environmental Network will take reasonable steps to protect proprietary or sensitive information provided by respondents. However, by submitting a proposal, respondents acknowledge that their submissions may be shared internally with staff and Board members as necessary to complete the review process.