Patient Capital Fundraising Consultant

CET is hiring an experienced Capital Fundraising Consultant to support the strategy, launch, and execution of a capital campaign to raise a multi-million-dollar capital pool to fund inclusive utility investments (IUI) programs across municipal light plants (MLP) in Massachusetts. The revolving fund will be deployed through utilities, which will pay for cost-effective upgrades to buildings (e.g., weatherization, heat pumps, solar) and recover the investments through charges tied to the meter. These recoverable investments will enable equitable access to clean energy solutions for all, including renters and low-income residents. IUI has been demonstrated to dramatically increase adoption of clean energy solutions and the scope of decarbonization retrofits.

We are looking for a consultant or firm with a strong track record in mission-aligned fundraising, experience in complex capital campaigns, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity through financial innovation. The consultant will identify and engage a diverse set of patient capital providers—including philanthropic, institutional, governmental, and private sector sources—prioritizing those who can offer zero or very low interest terms.

We encourage Consultants to review our IUI webpage to learn more about the financing mechanism and the foundational work CET has done to bring it to scale in MA.

As our consultant, you will tap into the teamwork, IUI expertise, and collaboration from our organization’s IUI Team members, comprising CET’s CEO, Director of Philanthropic Investments, Business Development Manager, and Energy Portfolio Strategist for weekly meetings for strategy and program execution. CET’s CEO will participate in investor meetings and pitches.

The selected consultant will partner with our team to deliver the following

1. Strategic Campaign Design

• Within the first 30 days: develop a strategic plan with CET’s IUI team, to define the strategy, timeline, and key target investors to raise a multi-million-dollar capital pool from a diverse mix of funders (e.g., philanthropic foundations, impact investors, mission-aligned financial institutions).
• Within the first 60 days: define investment tiers, investor pitch strategies, and capital stack options.
• Within the first 90 days: create a compelling case for support tailored to various funder types; develop compelling campaign materials (e.g., pitch decks, case statements, presentations) tailored to various capital provider audiences.
• Ongoing: work with CET’s IUI team to develop/propose options for the legal structure and management of the Fund. The consultant will collaborate with CET’s legal partners to establish fund structures and protocols that enable effective and compliant capital deployment to municipal utility clients.

2. Fundraising Execution Support

• Coach and prepare CET leaders for donor/investor engagement
• Conduct outreach, cultivation, and solicitation of funders
• Secure, and co-facilitate with CET, meetings with vetted strategic investors, with the expected outcome of at least (6 – 10) meetings secured within 6-8 months into the contract.

We are looking for someone with these qualifications

• Proven experience leading successful capital campaigns of $50M+ for nonprofit, social enterprise, or impact investment funds.
• Demonstrated experience with blended capital models (e.g., grants, PRIs, recoverable grants, concessionary capital).
• Understanding of energy justice, inclusive utility investment models, and/or community-based climate solutions.
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and strategic communications skills.

Timeline and compensation

• Proposal Submission Deadline: May 20, 2025 at 5 pm ET. Questions are welcomed prior to submission. Please email Nicholas.Smith@cetonline.org with questions.
• Consultant Interviews: On a rolling basis, completed by May 30, 2025.
• Anticipated Project Start Date: June 16, 2025.
• Anticipated End Date and Level of Effort: The consultancy is expected to span 9 months with a total level of effort of approximately 170 hours.
• Budget: Please submit a proposed fee structure (e.g., project-based, monthly retainer, hourly rate) and any additional costs as part of your proposal.

Bidding requirements

Please include the following in your proposal:

1. Cover Letter – Expressing interest and highlighting relevant experience. 
2. Consultant Resume – Background of consultant or firm, including bios of key personnel.
3. Work Plan – Proposed approach, timeline, deliverables, and estimated hours. 
4. Budget – Fee structure (e.g., project-based, monthly retainer, hourly rate) and any additional costs. 
5. Past Experience – Case studies or descriptions of at least two comparable efforts.

References should be made available upon request for 2-3 clients. The selected consultants will also need to provide COIs for workers' compensation and liability.

About us

Founded in 1976, CET is a woman-led nonprofit that innovates, implements, and scales the environmental solutions that communities need to thrive. Headquartered in MA and operating across the Northeast, CET partners with utilities, state and municipal agencies, and foundations to design and deliver cost-effective energy efficiency, electrification, and waste reduction solutions direct to residential, commercial, and institutional customers. Mission driven in all our work, in 2024 CET reached nearly 75,000 beneficiaries and mitigated 370,000 tons of lifetime CO2 emissions.

In partnership with our MLP clients, CET is working to take IUI to scale in MA. We conducted a successful pilot in Ipswich and are working with several utilities to develop programs. The only barrier to scale is access to low-cost, patient capital that utilities can use to invest in cost-effective upgrades to buildings and recover over a 15-20-year time horizon.