Volgenau Climate Initiative: Request for Letter of Interest 

The Volgenau Climate Initiative (VCI), an initiative of The Volgenau Foundation, is a unique effort to fund convenings that bring together small groups of leaders that rarely get to connect and collaborate. VCI is inviting Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) leaders to propose and co-host a VCI-sponsored convening in December 2026 to advance collaborative strategies for improved land management practices, restoration, or conservation of ecosystems and working lands as solutions to climate change.

Why VCI Convenings Are Unique

VCI convenings are unique in their composition, aims, and follow-through. VCI convenings are expertly facilitated and bring together people with different perspectives and tools—but with similarly powerful track records of collaboration, results, and a shared fire to drive and scale solutions. We convene groups of small, rigorously selected leaders who are already doing the work, but rarely have the chance to slow down, develop personal relationships with their peers, and co-create ideas while immersed in beautiful natural settings. Convenings take place over 3.5 days. VCI convenings are both restorative and productive. Participants build trust and problem solve over shared meals, experiences in nature, and work sessions.  We challenge preconceptions, nurture new ideas, and work to generate valuable, pragmatic, and actionable outcomes that leverage the power of partnerships.

To date, VCI has engaged over 450 leaders in 19 convenings across a variety of NCS topics and geographies in the United States. These convenings have brought together farmers, foresters, funders, scientists, businesses, conservationists, practitioners, and policy makers who are working across  11 active networks on over 53 projects aimed at shifting finance mechanisms, policy, narratives, and improving land practices.

Why is VCI Doing This

VCI’s Theory of Change holds the fundamental belief that no one individual or organization has all of the knowledge and capacity to drive significant positive change. Over the past three years, as our network has grown, this belief has been validated as past participants, partners, and other practitioners have embraced the convening format and suggested new topics. VCI is extending this invitation in response to the growing interest in our convenings and the need for strategic collaboration in the field of natural climate solutions.

The Opportunity

VCI will cover:

  • All costs associated with planning and hosting a convening for 25 to 30 leaders in December of 2026 (facilitated planning calls, event facilitator, comfortable lodging in a natural setting, and catered meals).

  • A limited number of travel stipends for participants invited.

  • An honorarium for members of the host committee.

  • Seed funding for a project (or projects) arising from the convening.

  • Funding for a part-time coordinator to support the network after the convening.

  • Socialization of convening outcomes with VCI’s broader network of practitioners and funders.

Expectations from co-host

  • Help with selection and recruitment of a Host Committee.

  • Participate in 4-6 planning calls and 2-3 debrief calls.

  • Support participant selection and invitation.

  • Track record of collaboration.

  • Working on U.S. based Natural Climate Solution(s).

LOI and RFP Process and Timeline

LOI submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis up to February 13 at 17:00 EST. VCI staff will review and invite a subset of LOIs to submit a full proposal to provide further detail on the proposed VCI convening by February 20th.

    • VCI will host a Zoom Meeting to cover the process and answer questions on February 4 at 12:00 EST.

    • Zoom Meeting information to join: Link here and Phone No. : +17193594580,8445045981 #

    • RSVP to: Huyen Nguyen.

    • LOIs due February 13th at 17:00 EST.

    • Selected LOIs will be invited to fill out an RFP starting February 20th. 

    • RFP’s will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 13th (thus we encourage interested parties to submit their LOIs early).

    • VCI will notify the selected co-host the week of March 16th.

    • February 4th - Informational webinar.

    • February 13th - LOI deadline.

    • February 20th - Invitation to submit proposals.

    • March 13th - Proposals due.

    • March 24th - Finalists notified.

    • April (TBD) -   Kickoff call.

    • December (TBC with co-host) - Convening.

LOI Requirements

The LOI is a simple way to share your idea with us. We ask LOIs try not to exceed  2 pages and include the following information:

  • A purpose statement for the convening. 

  • The sectors that would ideally be represented.

  • The problem set that the collective would seek to impact and the envisioned strategic timeline for impact.

  • Why/how a convening would help that vision.

  • Suggestions for the ideal venue and/or geography for the convening (if any).

  • Short-list of peer/ strategic partners that would benefit from the convening.

Please submit your LOI to convenings@volgenauclimate.org.

The soil, the forests, our working lands—they’re full of resilience and potential. We gather  to slow down, connect, and find ways to unlock that potential.

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