Request for Proposals (RFP): Facilitator for the Rising Generations Strategy Group (RGSG)

Aspen Institute • Consultancy / Advisory • Remote (United States) • 13h ago

Issued by: The Aspen Institute, Education & Society Program

Deadline for Responses: January 31, 2026

Contract Term: One-year term with the possibility of extension pending performance

I. Background

For over 50 years, the Aspen Institute's Education & Society Program (ESP) has served as a trusted convener for district leaders, policymakers, practitioners, philanthropists, researchers, and cross-sector education influencers. Through its long-standing commitment to inquiry-driven dialogue, ESP has helped leaders wrestle with complex challenges and pursue practical, equitable solutions on behalf of students nationwide.

Today's education landscape demands a bold reset. Public trust in schools is declining; technological advancements, including AI, are redefining learning and work; governance structures are shifting; and enthusiasm for the system is waning. We are desperately in need of a new north star for the rising generations, one that answers the question, How would an education designed for leadership and problem solving actually work?

To meet this moment, ESP is launching the Rising Generations Strategy Group (RGSG): a landmark, multi-year, intergenerational, cross-sector initiative designed to define and advance a new North Star for education in the United States.

Our Mission: To improve education outcomes by informing, influencing, inspiring, and catalyzing action by education leaders and young people across policy and practice, with an emphasis on achieving excellence for all students.

Our Vision: The education experience affords every student the opportunities and experiences they need to lead, contribute, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

II. The Rising Generations Strategy Group (RGSG)

RGSG will bring together young people, policymakers, district leaders, business executives, philanthropists, and civic influencers to collaboratively address the frontier issues reshaping the future of education:

Technology + Education: Harnessing technology, including AI, to expand opportunities and empower educators.
Career-Connected Learning: Aligning school learning with real-world experiences to prepare students for the workforce.
School Choice + Alternative Models: Examining new and alternative learning models to meet diverse student and family needs.
State Governance: Developing bold approaches to state education governance for coherence, accountability, and innovation.

Across six in-person convenings (see Section V), RGSG will engage in deep inquiry, site visits, expert briefings, and collaborative design work to produce actionable, field-shaping deliverables that influence policy and practice.

The Strategy Group's work is anchored in the Education & Society Program's mission and 5-year aims, including advancing a new North Star for education transformation, elevating intergenerational leadership, strengthening professional learning, amplifying bright spots, and catalyzing transformational shifts across the field.

III. Purpose of This RFP

ESP seeks an experienced Facilitator (individual or team) to lead the design, facilitation, synthesis, and documentation of the Rising Generations Strategy Group convenings. Work hours by week will vary based on the project timeline.

This role is the connective tissue of the initiative: ensuring strategic coherence, designing powerful learning experiences, producing high-quality deliverables, and supporting a group culture where youth and adult leaders engage as equal partners.

IV. Scope of Work

1. Convening Design & Facilitation

The facilitator will:

Co-design a learning arc for RGSG convenings with the Aspen Education and Society Team and its Youth Advisory Partners (YAP) across two in-person RGSG convenings (see Section V).
Identify and curate site visits, field immersions, and experiential learning opportunities related to the four focus areas.
Design and facilitate rigorous, generative, intergenerational discussions that push thinking, deepen understanding, and inspire action.
Capture key ideas, themes, decisions, and questions as they emerge.
Ensure youth participants have meaningful leadership roles (e.g., co-facilitation, agenda shaping, presenting recommendations).

2. Knowledge Development & Deliverables

For each of the convenings, the facilitator will:

Collaborate with the Aspen team to source pre-reads and learning materials.
Identify and prepare external experts (across sectors) to contribute ideas and provoke deeper thinking.
Provide a comprehensive write-up to a communications partner who will translate learnings into recommendations or field-shaping resources, including but not limited to policy and practice frameworks, playbooks, white papers, etc.
Integrate group feedback and build consensus around key learning outcomes.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Network-Building

Conduct periodic check-ins with RGSG members to assess engagement, support participation and amplification of deliverables, and surface additional insights.
Maintain relationships with experts, practitioners, and thought partners across the four focus areas.
Bring forward new, vanguard ideas and research to keep participants at the cutting edge of the field.
Manage cross-sector relationships and cultivate a culture of intergenerational collaboration.

4. Accountability & Impact Tracking

Support participants in following through on actions in their respective organizations and sectors.
Support ESP's communication and amplification efforts, including capturing insights and ensuring clarity of messaging.

V. Timeline and Convening Structure

The project includes six in-person convenings over three years of the Rising Generation Strategy Group (see below). During each meeting, the RGSG will embark on a learning journey about current trends and research on one of the four strategic priority areas (Technology + Education, Career-Connected Learning, School Choice + Alternative Models, State Governance).

The contracted facilitator will be responsible for Meetings 1 & 2, with an opportunity for continued engagement in the year(s) that follow. The in-person meeting arc and timeline are listed below.

Meeting 1: Overview and survey of four frontier topics; grounding in the North Star vision (tentatively scheduled for April 2026)
Meetings 2–5: Deep dives into each of the four focus areas, including expert sessions and site visits a. Meeting 2: Fall 2026 b. Meeting 3: Spring 2027 c. Meeting 4: Fall 2027 d. Meeting 5: Spring 2028
Meeting 6: Synthesis, reflection, and closing; development of final recommendations (Fall 2028)

Additional virtual sessions may be added between convenings to continue learning and sustain momentum. The facilitator will partner with the Aspen Education & Society team to identify and shape these follow-on learning opportunities.

VI. Qualifications

The ideal facilitator will demonstrate:

Expertise & Content Knowledge

Strong understanding of U.S. education policy, systems change, and cross-sector collaboration
Familiarity with emerging issues in education, including AI, governance, career-connected learning, and school design
A demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling frameworks

Facilitation Excellence

Experience designing and facilitating effective professional learning experiences for senior executives and decision-makers
Comfort leading intergenerational spaces
Effective negotiation skills to support a group of diverse stakeholders in reaching a consensus
Strong capability in pushing groups toward deeper inquiry and innovative thinking
Ability to cultivate a psychologically safe, generative learning environment

Research & Writing Strength

Exceptional writing skills suitable for field-facing publications
Experience synthesizing disparate insights into coherent, actionable deliverables
A track record of producing policy frameworks, memos, or strategic recommendations

Networks & Relationships

An expansive, cross-sector network (education, workforce, civic, business, technology)
Ability to identify and vet experts, thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators
Experience partnering with or elevating youth leaders

Professional Attributes

Highly adaptable and open to feedback
Ability to establish credibility and influence with senior leaders, policymakers, and cross-sector stakeholders
Strong executive presence
Strong project management and follow-through
Willingness to challenge assumptions
Demonstrated commitment to equity and youth-centered design

VII. Proposal Requirements

Interested facilitators should submit:

Letter of Interest describing approach, philosophy, and alignment with RGSG's goals, and any prior experience with similar initiatives. No more than one page.
Relevant Experience detailing leadership roles and comparable facilitation or advisory work. Thematic resumes or CVs are acceptable. While not required, please note if you have ever facilitated intergenerational spaces.
A short proposal outlining your approach to Year 1, including your design for Meetings 1 and 2, how you would guide the group in identifying deliverables, and how you would sustain participant engagement across sessions. Each meeting will focus on one strategic priority area (see Section II).
A work sample, including writing or deliverables, with notes on your facilitation framework (highlighting purpose and objectives for the meeting, how you designed session flow, and techniques used to foster engagement, dialogue, and collaboration).
Budget including fee structure, additional expenses, and a proposed staffing plan (if applicable).
Three References from organizations, district leaders, or youth collaborators who can speak to your facilitation, intergenerational engagement, and partnership skills.

VIII. Budget Range

Please provide a detailed cost proposal. ESP welcomes proposals from individuals or teams and will consider a range of budget structures based on the scope and depth of services included.

IX. Submission Instructions

Submit proposals to this Google Form.

X. Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Demonstrated expertise and alignment with RGSG's purpose
Strength of facilitation and writing experience
Ability to lead a group of senior leaders
Evidence of intergenerational and cross-sector facilitation skills
Depth & strategic thinking of the proposal's approach to learning design and synthesis
Quality of network and ability to source experts and site experiences
Cost-effectiveness and feasibility of timeline

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