Request for Proposal:

Principal Contractor of Chamber of Sustainable Commerce (CSC)

Location: Hawaii

About Chamber of Sustainable Commerce:
The Chamber of Sustainable Commerce is a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening our economy without hurting workers, consumers, communities, or the environment. We support policies and initiatives that foster environmental stewardship, social equity, economic resilience and indigenous solutions. Our membership includes diverse businesses, non-profits and individuals committed to pursuing a triple bottom line: people, planet and prosperity.

CSC is fiscally sponsored by Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, a Hawaii incorporated 501c(3). CSC will become its own non profit by January 2026.

Outcomes and Goals for Principal Contractor:
The Principal Contractor will play a key role in advancing the Chamber’s mission through strategic communications (social media engagement as needed), membership recruitment, legislative advocacy, and event coordination.

  • Doubling Membership twice to 2,026 by December 31, 2025 (including 1,013 businesses)

  • Transition CSC from fiscal sponsorship with HAPA to an independent Non-Profit Organization by the end of 2025

  • Hold four networking mixers in each county (40+ attendees per event).

  • Submit testimony on CSC’s Top 30 Bill Initiatives and other bills that are deemed important to CSC Legislative Council, members and community partners.

  • Position CSC as a respected voice of local businesses who care about their workers, consumers, community and environment.

Legislative Advocacy

  • Collaborate and expand the CSC’s Legislative Council to identify key priorities for the 2025 session.

  • Monitor and track relevant legislative activities, issues, and bills that impact sustainable commerce.

  • Assist in drafting position statements, talking points, and advocacy materials to support legislative efforts.

  • Coordinate member engagement in advocacy initiatives, including calls to action, meetings with legislators, and public testimony.

  • Principal Contractor may be required to register as a lobbyist and comply with lobbying laws.

Communications & Social Media

  • Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to promote CSC mission, initiatives, and events.

  • Create and curate content for social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) as needed to achieve the outcomes listed above.

  • Draft press releases, newsletters, and other communications to inform members and stakeholders of key developments and opportunities.

  • Coordinate media inquiries and appearances.

Membership Recruitment and Retainment

  • Identify and recruit new members, focusing on businesses, with an understanding and appreciation that nonprofits and individuals will follow.

  • Develop and implement strategies to engage and recruit potential business members through direct outreach, networking events, and other opportunities to sign businesses up for free membership through December 31, 2025.

Event Coordination

  • Work with local volunteers/members to coordinate quarterly in-person membership events in all four counties, some of which may require virtual access to foster member engagement and networking.

  • Following previous budget expenditures, assist with event logistics, including venue selection, scheduling, promotion, registration, and post-event follow-up,

  • Work closely with speakers, vendors, and sponsoring partners to ensure successful and impactful events.

  • Gather and analyze feedback to continuously improve future events, including creating  and maintaining one page log of costs associated with each event and the respective new business memberships as a result of the event.

  • Develop sponsorship opportunities

Reorganize as an Non-profit Organization

  • Work with CSC attorney, prospective board members and donor-advisors to prepare to transition to an independent nonprofit.

  • Support the development of revenue streams to ensure financial sustainability during and after the transition.

  • Contribute insights from prospective members to inform the Chamber’s strategic direction and operational planning as an independent nonprofit.

Administration

  • Work with donor-advisors and fiscal sponsor to manage the Chamber’s budget, including tracking expenses, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with organizational and fiscal policies.

  • Maintain organizational records, managing member databases, and responding to inquiries.

  • Ensure timely submission of required filings and documentation during the transition to independent nonprofit status.

  • Preparing and distributing meeting agendas, minutes, and related materials for board and committee meetings.

  • Work with HAPA (fiscal sponsor) and other independent contractors to meet desired outcomes.

Qualifications

Must be able to register as a lobbyist if needed. Must be able to use tech deck (including but not limited to Google Drive, Canva, Grammarly, Mailchimp, Squarespace). CSC provides no physical work site or hardware.

Please submit a proposal for execution of goals and outcomes, including costs, with preferred invoicing structure rfp@chamberofsustainablecommerce.org.

Deadline: Proposals will be accepted until December 15th.