Organization: Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)

Location: Remote/Hybrid, Attend Events and Meetings as needed (Washington, DC preferred)

Contract Type: Independent Contractor (1099)

Duration: 15 months to 3-year contract

Estimated Level of Effort: ~30-50 hrs/month (varies based on milestones)

Compensation: Competitive hourly or deliverables-based rate depending on experience

About the Engagement

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) is seeking a Social Impact Consultant to support a 15-month (long range impact through 3 years) ecosystem initiative focused on improving financial health, small business resilience, and ecosystem coordination across the Washington, DC region. This consultant will lead data analysis, social impact framework development, learning agenda alignment, and evaluation support tied to the Strive USA initiative.

This is a deliverables-based consulting engagement, ideal for a social impact consultant, evaluation specialist, data strategist, or consultant experienced with ecosystem mapping, CDFIs, community economic development, or organizational data capacity building.

This engagement is advisory and deliverables-based and does not constitute an employee role.

Scope of Work & Project Phases

1. Landscape Analysis & Data Alignment

• Conduct a cross-ecosystem review of partner data collection methods.
• Develop and document aligned data definitions, indicators, and standards so partners “speak the same language” regarding small business health and impact.
• Facilitate data alignment discussions across ecosystem partners.

2. Data Tracking, Impact Measurement & Reporting

• Assess partner data to identify gaps, trends, opportunities, and ecosystem-level insights.
• Produce quarterly impact briefings summarizing:
  • Ecosystem performance
  • Small business financial resilience
  • Gaps in services, referrals, and access to capital
• Support WACIF in reporting to regional and national audiences.

3. Internal Data Measurement & System Improvement

• Assess and provide recommendations on WACIF’s internal data systems to strengthen measurement, dashboarding, and program insights.
• Recommend improvements to data processes, infrastructure, and workflows.
• Provide advisory support related to WACIF’s participation in a Data Maturity Assessment (DMA) at the beginning and end of the contract.

4. Social Impact Framework Design

• Collaborate with WACIF to create a robust social impact framework that goes beyond financial metrics to include qualitative, social, and ecosystem-wide indicators.
• Integrate insights from ecosystem partners, client journey mapping, and program evaluation data.

5. Qualitative Data Collection & Synthesis

• Conduct interviews and surveys with small business owners, partners, and ecosystem actors.
• Analyze qualitative insights to identify systemic barriers, resource flows, and coordination gaps.
• Produce monthly or quarterly insights memos.

6. Learning Agenda Implementation

Support WACIF in answering key learning questions, such as:

• What gaps prevent the DC small business ecosystem from consistently delivering positive outcomes?
• What factors enable or inhibit coordination between ecosystem actors?
• Which small business characteristics drive successful referrals and service uptake?
• How does improved ecosystem coordination influence access to capital and technical assistance?

Activities include:

• Structuring learning questions into research methods
• Supporting quarterly learning calls with Strive USA
• Producing learning memos and synthesizing shared insights

7. Evaluation Participation

• Support WACIF’s participation in Strive USA evaluation activities by providing requested data inputs and contextual analysis and attending relevant meetings as appropriate..
• Complete evaluation surveys from third-party vendors.
• Provide data, contextual analysis, and documentation as requested.

Key Deliverables

Deliverables will be finalized and sequenced by project phase. Initial deliverables are expected within the first 12–15 months, with additional deliverables subject to contract extension.

• Ecosystem Data Alignment Guide
• Quarterly Impact & Learning Reports
• Refined Internal Data Measurement Framework
• Social Impact Framework & Indicators
• Qualitative Insights Summary (interviews + surveys)
• Baseline & Final Data Maturity Assessment Results
• End-of-Year Impact + Learning Synthesis Deck

Ideal Consultant Profile

You’re a strong fit if you have experience with:

• CDFIs, philanthropic initiatives, community development, or small business ecosystems
• Evaluation, impact measurement, or learning agendas
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Designing metrics frameworks or data alignment systems
• Translating complex data into clear insights
• Ecosystem mapping or multi-stakeholder coordination
• Independent, consultant-style work with clear deliverables

About The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) 

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) advancing equity and opportunity in the Washington, DC region. WACIF provides financial capital, business advisory services, and strategic ecosystem support to underinvested entrepreneurs and small businesses. Since 1987, WACIF has deployed more than $100 million in capital, supported thousands of entrepreneurs, and contributed to job creation and retention across the region.

Learn more at www.wacif.org.

COMPENSATION –  will be structured on an hourly or project-based basis, commensurate with experience and scope of work. Final rates and payment terms will be outlined in the 1099 Contractor Agreement and tied to defined deliverables and milestones.

Hourly Rate = $60 – $85 per hour

TO APPLY

Interested consultants should submit the following to with “Social Impact Consultant” in the subject line:

1. Resume or professional summary highlighting relevant consulting experience
2. Brief overview of comparable projects or engagements
3. Work portfolio or sample deliverables (if available)
4. Proposed hourly rate and or project-based fee structure
5. Two examples of relevant impact measurement, evaluation, or data analysis work (if available)

Selection will be based on qualifications, demonstrated experience, and alignment with the scope of work. This engagement will be governed by a 1099 Contractor Agreement and Scope of Work.