REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) Legal Services
1.0 Summary
The Future Generations Foundation invites proposals from qualified legal firms for the provision of legal services with a specialty in litigation, to support the FGF in a petition to the courts to modify the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) and support the board and committees.
The successful candidate(s) will offer advice and based on sound legal advice according to FGF’s legal rights and obligations, prepare legal documents, represent FGF and its employees during litigation (including preparation of FGF staff for litigation), cross communicate with other interested parties in the IRSSA and perform other legal duties as required by the organization.
2.0 Background of FG Foundation
The FG Foundation grants approximately $15 M in funding to individuals and charitable organizations for varying education programs and studies every year.
FG Foundation is for First Nations individuals, communities, organizations, and other organizations seeking support for cultural revitalization, education, and community development initiatives, FG Foundation is a trusted funder committed to fostering empowerment and self-determination. As stewards of the IRSSA funds, we ensure efficient allocation of funds to address the harm of residential schools. Our First Nation led organization practices First Nations principles and values in our policies and decisionmaking processes, prioritizing meaningful economic assistance that creates lasting, positive change.
The Future Generations foundation grants significant funds from the IRSSA, under the terms and conditions and administrative plan. FGF has been granting from this settlement agreement since 2015. FG Foundation returned to the courts in 2018 and was successfully awarded the requested changes, however FGF would like to return in 2025-2026 for further changes.
Additional information can be found at www.fgfoundation.ca
3.0 Scope of Work
a) Review the original court approved agreements and all related documents.
b) Provided analysis, recommendations, and advice for proposed amendments.
c) Prepare all necessary court document and filings.
d) Represent the foundation in court processed and communication with counsel, if required.
e) Familiarity with the legal and historical context of court-supervised agreements, including those related to Indigenous reparations or class-action settlements.
The final version of the motion and affidavit should clearly reflect FG Foundation vision, goals for the long-term future.
Close Collaboration
The successful bidder will work closely with the Executive Director and/or members of our Board of Directors, stakeholders, to develop the specific details of the planning process, including the timeline, and logistics.
4.0 Proposal Contents Requirements:
To make the evaluation process efficient and obtain maximum comparability, FG Foundation requires that all responses to the RFP be organized in the manner and format described below:
A. Executive Summary
A description of the understanding of the work to be performed including estimated hours, the ability to perform the work within the time period provided and other pertinent information.
B. Service Approach and Timeline
Description how the Proponent’s firm will approach the proposed services including the type of assistance that will be required from FG Foundation staff. Proposal should also discuss the proponent’s knowledge and experience of work with Indigenous clients and organizations. Finally, discuss the communication process used by the firm to discuss issues with management including the expected timeline.
C. Professional Experience
A description of the firm’s history, expertise and could include an explanation of the firm’s philosophy, size, structure, and qualifications with serving Indigenous non-profit organizations with a comparable size and operations. Team Qualifications of the specific legal team assigned to this engagement. Familiarity with the legal and historical context of court-supervised agreements, including those related to Indigenous reparations or classaction settlements. The consultant must disclose any conflicts of interest that may result from the award of the contract, or the services provided under the contract and state the firm’s independence contract, aspect to FG Foundation.
D. Fees
Fee structure for the full duration of the project including any guarantees given regarding increases in future years. Also, the applicable billing rates and procedures for any further questions that may come up during the engagement.
E. References
A list of the relevant Indigenous and or non-profit, charitable clients the firm has served within the past three years that would be willing to provide a reference upon request of FG Foundation.
5.0 Selection Criteria:
FG Foundation will employ a comprehensive set of criteria to determine the most suitable consultant. Considering the pivotal objectives delineated in this document, the assessment of proposals will be grounded in the following criteria:
A. Relevant experience and subject-matter expertise (30%)
B. Approach and understanding of the assignment (25%)
C. Transparent, cost-effective competitive fee structure. (25%)
D. Quality and relevance of references provided. (10%)
E. Alignment and experience with First Nations charities or non-profits (10%)
It is important to note that FG Foundation retains the discretion not to proceed with the engagement of any consultant following this Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
FG Foundation invites providers to submit proposals to perform this project.
6.0 Submission Instructions
Please submit your proposal electronically to Naomi Racette nracette@fgfoundation.ca.
The deadline for proposal submission is August 15, 2025
Late proposals may not be considered.
Please direct all inquiries via email to:
Naomi Racette, Executive Director
E-mail: nracette@fgfoundation.ca
7.0 Rights of the FG Foundation
This is an RFP and not an invitation to tender. The reader is hereby advised that the FG Foundation reserves the right to: • Accept a proposal without negotiation.
- Negotiate changes to the technical or financial content of the successful proposal.
- Cancel or reissued this RFP at any time.
- Reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals.
- Accept any proposal, or in part.
- Cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time.
- Award one or more contracts.
- Verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
- Award contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project requirement.
FG Foundation thanks all providers for their interest in this opportunity.
