Consulting Opportunity: Civic Culture Subject Matter Expert 

Request for Expressions of Interest

PACE seeks a subject matter expert to serve as a strategic thought partner in the design and implementation of the PACE Civic Culture Funders Lab, a two year initiative to help philanthropy better understand and intentionally strengthen the civic culture dimensions of its work.

Working closely with the PACE Senior Director for Strategy and Learning, the consultant will help shape the Lab’s intellectual framework, learning agenda, and field-building products while supporting a community of approximately 60 philanthropic leaders.

Responsibilities

• – Co-design the learning agenda and curriculum for the Advisory Group and Funders Lab.
• – Identify and synthesize relevant research, emerging ideas, and promising practices from philanthropy and adjacent fields.
• – Help facilitate Advisory Group and Funders Lab sessions.
• – Create practical tools and resources, including learning briefs, frameworks, and field-building products.
• – Support the synthesis of lessons and recommendations emerging from the initiative.
• – Coordinate with and contribute to related initiatives, such as New Pluralists’ Pluralism Measurement CoP.
• – Lead the development and drafting of a summary learning product and recommendations for the field.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

The ideal partner will bring:

• – Deep knowledge of philanthropy, civic culture, democracy, social cohesion, pluralism, systems change, and related fields.
• – A strong existing philanthropic network of relationships.
• – Experience designing executive-level learning communities or communities of practice.
• – Strong facilitation and strategic thinking skills.
• – Exceptional writing and synthesis abilities, with the capacity to translate complex ideas into practical frameworks.
• – A collaborative working style and the ability to engage leaders with diverse perspectives.
• – A commitment to strengthening civic culture and helping philanthropy advance long-term community well-being.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape an emerging field of practice by working alongside leading philanthropic organizations to develop the ideas, relationships, and tools that can strengthen civic culture across philanthropy.  

Compensation

Up to $50,000 per year, depending on qualifications and scope of work. Position begins in mid to late August. Work is mostly remote, with the possibility of a few in-person gatherings.

Expression of Interest Submissions

Interested consultants will submit a 1–2 page Expression of Interest responding to these questions.

The Expression of Interest is intended to take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete. Submissions will be considered as they are received. Selected individuals should be available to begin work between mid-late August, 2026.

Materials can be submitted at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfhxT4M2IJUsjKLLzmKSw39v8z4U_cUOaEHaxQfMqae-hKHw/viewform.

Our Approach

We recognize that relevant experience can be gained through philanthropy, nonprofits, academia, public service, consulting, and other sectors. We encourage applicants to draw from the experiences that best demonstrate their qualifications.

Expressions of Interest will be evaluated as they are submitted based on demonstrated expertise, experience designing and facilitating learning communities, philanthropic relationships, writing and synthesis skills, collaborative approach, and overall fit with the goals of PACE’s Civic Culture Funders Lab. Based on this, we will reach out to a small number of people for a more in-depth conversation about this opportunity.