UBONGO International
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Terms of Reference
Endowment Fund Feasibility, Design & Setup Consultancy
1. Background
Ubongo International (“UI”) is a non-profit organization that creates fun, localized, and multi-platform educational media that reaches millions of families through accessible technologies. UI's programs significantly improve school readiness and learning outcomes for kids and also promote social and behavioral change for kids, caregivers, and educators.
Ubongo International is seeking a highly qualified consultant or advisory firm to assess the feasibility of establishing an endowment fund, design the optimal fund structure, and provide actionable guidance on setup, governance, and initial capitalisation strategy.
2. Objectives
The consultancy will pursue the following objectives:
- Assess the feasibility of establishing an endowment fund tailored to Ubongo International’s organisational stage, legal context, and strategic ambitions
- Evaluate and recommend the optimal endowment structure, legal vehicle, and domicile
- Design the governance framework, that aligns with Ubongo’s investment policy, and will guide the funds
implementation / funding modalities mostly located in the African continent.
- Develop a realistic capitalisation pathway, including seed funding strategy, donor cultivation, and target endowment size
- Identify and evaluate potential fund managers, custodians, and fiduciary partners
- Provide a detailed implementation roadmap with prioritised actions, timelines, and cost estimates
- Build internal capacity at Ubongo to manage and steward the endowment over time
3. Scope of Work
Phase 1: Organisational & Financial Readiness Assessment (Weeks 1–2)
- Review Ubongo's consolidated financial statements, revenue trends, reserves policy, and existing investment holdings
- Assess Ubongo International’s current legal structure, jurisdiction considerations, and regulatory environment
- Benchmark Ubongo International’s financial health against comparable nonprofits that have established endowments
- Produce a readiness assessment identifying strengths, gaps, and prerequisites for endowment establishment
Phase 2: Endowment Models & Structural Options Analysis (Weeks 2–4)
- Research and evaluate endowment models: standalone foundation, donor-advised fund, board-designated endowment, hybrid structures
- Analyse domicile options considering legal requirements, tax efficiency, and donor attractiveness
- Assess investment policy options: asset allocation frameworks, ESG mandates, and liquidity requirements
- Model different spending rule scenarios and long-term endowment growth impact
- Present a structured options analysis with clear trade-offs, recommendations, and rationale
Phase 3: Governance & Investment Policy Design (Weeks 4–6)
- Design the endowment's proposed governance structure: board composition, investment committee charter, and fiduciary responsibilities
- Draft an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) covering allocation targets, permissible investments, rebalancing rules, and other considerations
- Develop a Spending Policy defining the annual distribution formula, approval process, and conditions for principal access
- Design conflict-of-interest, transparency, and accountability mechanisms aligned with international best practices
Phase 4: Capitalisation Strategy & Donor Engagement Plan (Weeks 6)
- Define a target endowment size based on Ubongo’s grantees operational needs and growth ambitions
- Develop a phased capitalisation strategy: seed capital, challenge match campaigns, planned giving, and institutional funder engagement
- Identify and profile 20–30 prospective lead donors (foundations, HNWI, DFIs) for endowment-building conversations
- Develop a compelling case for support: narrative, impact framing, and donor value proposition
- Advise on named fund opportunities, donor recognition structures, and legacy giving programme design
Phase 5: Setup Roadmap, Fund Manager Selection & Implementation Support (Weeks 7–8)
- Develop a step-by-step implementation roadmap covering legal setup, regulatory filings, and fund manager selection
- Produce a selection framework for screening and appointing a fund manager and custodian bank
- Evaluate at least 3 candidate fund managers and provide a comparative assessment and recommendation
- Estimate all setup costs, ongoing management fees, and administrative costs
- Conduct a capacity-building workshop for Ubongo's board and finance team on endowment stewardship and reporting
4. Deliverables
Deliverable 1: Inception Report — refined scope, methodology, and work schedule (Week 2)
Deliverable 2: Organisational & Financial Readiness Assessment Report (Week 3)
Deliverable 3: Endowment Structural Options Analysis with recommendations (Week 4)
Deliverable 4: Draft Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and Spending Policy (Week 5)
Deliverable 5: Endowment Governance Framework — committee charter and board policies (Week 7)
Deliverable 6: Capitalisation Strategy & Case for Support (Week 7)
Deliverable 7: Fund Manager Selection Framework and Comparative Assessment (Week 7)
Deliverable 8: Implementation Roadmap with legal setup checklist and cost estimates (Week 8)
Deliverable 9: Final Consultancy Report — consolidated findings and recommendations (Week 8)
5. Duration & Timeline
The consultancy runs over eight (8) weeks from contract signing.
6. Qualifications & Experience Required
Essential Requirements
- Minimum 8 years of experience in endowment management advisory, nonprofit finance, or institutional investment consulting
- Demonstrated experience advising nonprofit organisations or social enterprises on endowment establishment or management
- Deep knowledge of endowment governance, investment policy design, and spending rules best practices
- Familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks for nonprofit endowments in relevant jurisdictions (East Africa and/or US)
- Strong financial modelling skills for long-term endowment growth and distribution scenario analysis
- At least 3 verifiable references from comparable endowment advisory or fund setup engagements
Highly Desirable
- Experience working with African nonprofits, foundations, or social enterprises
- Knowledge of ESG and impact investing frameworks applicable to endowment portfolios
- Existing relationships with fund managers, custodian banks, or philanthropic intermediaries
- Experience designing donor cultivation and planned giving programmes for endowment campaigns
7. Evaluation Criteria
- Technical Approach, Methodology & Work Plan: 30%
- Relevant Experience — Endowment Advisory & Nonprofit Finance: 25%
- Team Qualifications & Depth of Expertise: 20%
- Financial Proposal & Value for Money: 15%
- Understanding of Ubongo's Context & Fit: 10%
8. Proposal Requirements
Proposals must include the following:
- Technical Proposal: detailed approach, methodology, phased work plan, and team composition (maximum 20 pages)
- Financial Proposal: itemised budget with daily rates, estimated days per phase, total fees, and payment schedule (submitted separately)
- Firm/Consultant Profile: overview, credentials, and relevant client portfolio
- Case Studies: minimum 2 detailed examples of prior endowment advisory engagements, including scope, outcomes, and endowment size
- Sample Deliverables: examples of prior IPS, governance frameworks, or endowment feasibility reports (may be anonymised)
- References: minimum 3 professional references from comparable engagements
- Conflict of Interest Declaration
9. Ethical & Compliance Requirements
The selected consultant will be expected to:
- Maintain strict confidentiality of all Ubongo financial, strategic, and donor information
- Disclose any existing or potential conflicts of interest, including relationships with fund managers or custodians recommended during the engagement
- Operate in accordance with Ubongo's safeguarding, anti-corruption, and data protection policies
- Not derive any undisclosed benefit, commission, or referral fee from any third party recommended as part of this engagement
10. Submission Details
Submission Deadline: Friday, September 4th, 2026
Submission Method: Email to tunu@ubongo.org
Email Subject Line: RFP Response: Endowment Fund Consultancy — Ubongo
Clarification Questions Deadline: Monday, 31st August 2026
Questions Contact: Email to tunu@ubongo.org
Contract Currency: USD
Contract Type: Fixed-price or time-and-materials (propose preferred structure)
