Introduction

The Ocean Foundation has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify young writers between the ages of 13–25 to provide curriculum writing services for the production of a “youth ocean action toolkit” focused on the seven Ocean Literacy Principles and Marine Protected Areas, supported by National Geographic Society. The toolkit will be written by youth and for youth focusing on ocean health and conservation with other key elements including community action, ocean exploration, and social media integration.

About The Ocean Foundation

The Ocean Foundation (TOF) is a unique community foundation with a mission to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. TOF works with donors who care about our coasts and ocean to provide financial resources to marine conservation initiatives through the following lines of business: Committee and Donor Advised Funds, Grant-Making, Fiscal Sponsorship, and Consulting services. TOF’s Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with significant experience in marine conservation philanthropy, complemented by an expert, professional staff and a growing international advisory board of scientists, policy makers, educational specialists, and other top experts. We have grantees, partners, and projects on all the world’s continents.

Services Needed

Through this RFP, TOF will assemble a small team of 4–6 youth curriculum authors (ages 13–25). Each author will be responsible for writing between 3–5 pages of curricular content for a designated section of a “youth ocean action toolkit”, which will be between 15–20 pages in total length.

The youth ocean action toolkit will:

• Be created around the seven Ocean Literacy Principles
• Provide community examples demonstrating how youth can take action to conserve their ocean 
• Demonstrate the benefit of Marine Protected Areas for ocean conservation
• Include links to videos, photos, resources and other multimedia content
• Feature National Geographic Explorer-led projects
• Contain examples from California and Hawaii 
• Feature a strong social media component

A toolkit outline, resource list, content templates, and examples will be provided. The authors will work collaboratively with members of the TOF Program team and will receive additional guidance from a youth ocean action toolkit Advisory Committee with representatives from TOF, National Geographic Society, and Marine Protected Area leading organizations.

Authors will be required to produce three drafts of their respective sections of the toolkit (due in November 2022, January 2023, and March 2023) and to address feedback from the Advisory Committee in each subsequent draft. Authors will be expected to utilize all provided reference materials as well as to perform their own independent research for this project. In addition, authors are required to participate in a virtual learning opportunity that will take place during October 12–15, 2022.

The final product will be produced in digital and print format, in English and Spanish, and distributed widely.

Requirements

Submitted proposals must include the following:

• Full name and contact information (phone, email, current address)
• Project portfolio including educational curricula, writing samples, and lessons
• Summary of relevant qualifications and experience related to ocean conservation, teaching, writing, or community engagement 
• Two references of past clients, professors, or employers who have been engaged on a similar project 
• Diverse applicants that offer a global perspective are strongly encouraged 
• Proficiency in Spanish is also desired but not required

Timeline

The deadline to apply is September 16, 2022. Work will begin in October 2022 and continue through March 2023 (six months).  

Payment

Total payment under this RFP is not to exceed $2,000 USD per author, dependent on the successful completion of all deliverables as outlined above. Equipment is not provided and project expenses will not be reimbursed.

Contact Information

Please direct all responses to this RFP and/or any questions to:

Frances Lang
Program Officer
flang@oceanfdn.org 

No calls please. 

An optional, virtual Q&A session for prospective applicants will take place on Wednesday, September 7 from 10:00–11:00am Pacific Time. Click here to join.