[UPDATED] Request For Proposals: Strategic Planning Consultant

[Updated Tuesday, April 23, 2024]

Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada is embarking on a process to develop its first-ever strategic plan for 2024 to 2030. 

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Planning Consultant or team of consultants to design and facilitate a participatory strategic planning and visioning process with Lambda Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Development Manager that will establish a strategic direction for the growth of Lambda Foundation, including, but not limited to governance, financial management, human resources, communications and fundraising. 

The long-term objective is to ensure that robust systems are in place as we foster community engagement and new relationships, and establish fundraising objectives to build endowment funds for the long-term sustainability of the organization and our scholarships across the country. The work of the consultant(s) will be supported and guided by the Lambda Foundation Board of Directors and the Development Manager.

Funding for this opportunity is supported by a grant from WAGE (Women and Gender Equality Canada), through their capacity-building stream. 

Funding for this opportunity is supported by a grant from WAGE (Women and Gender Equality Canada), through their capacity building stream. 

Organizational Background

The Lambda Scholarship Foundation emerged during a time of struggle, resistance, and hope. The vision of the Lambda Scholarship Foundation is to advance ARTS, Social Sciences, and STEM research about Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning plus (2SLGBTQ+), and queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, people of colour (QTBIPOC) communities. 

Our goal is to ensure the sustainability and foster the growth of  Lambda Awards nationwide, in both the number of awards and funding awarded, while spotlighting recipients as community members with valuable knowledge and critical perspectives who are actively transforming society at local, national and international levels. 

Historically volunteer-run, we recently hired a part-time Development Manager, thanks to a grant from WAGE. Lambda Scholarship Foundation funds are managed per donor agreements with each participating university and high school, ensuring direct support for awards while keeping administrative costs low. Our vision is to develop effective governance, management, fundraising, and granting systems to broaden our impact.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The successful consultant will develop a 5-10-year strategic plan for The Lambda Foundation. Activities include (but are not limited to):

PART A: 

  • Review of our current mission, vision, and values.
  • Design of a participatory process that engages the Board and the Development Manager to develop a strategic plan which includes (but is not limited to):
    • Non-profit governance
    • Financial management
    • Organizational management and human resources
    • Strategic goals
    • Success Indicators
    • Evaluation methods
  • Draft the strategic plan based on the outcomes of the strategic planning development processes.

PART B:

  • Develop a communications and fundraising plan for the next 5 years that includes:
    • Strategic communications considerations and fundraising objectives to build an unrestricted endowment fund;
    • Increase award amounts of current scholarships and grants and capacity in all provinces across Canada;
    • Key messages for different audiences (individual donors, high net-worth individuals, corporations);
    • Key supporters research;
    • Integrated communications and fundraising tactics, and;
    • An outline of products and implementation timeline and budget.
  • Implement communications products outlined in the plan, including:
    • High-quality, innovative print and digital advocacy tools, including interim visual identity;
    • Proactive media relations plan, including kickoff event, associated speaking tour and related materials, and;
    • Research outlining relevant audiences, potential donors and strategic opportunities for donor engagement, and development of associated materials.

Summary of Request for Proposals

Part A: 

  • A description of how you will approach the activities
  • A description of how previous projects have prepared you to undertake this strategic planning work, especially with small non-profit organizations, with a focus on intersectionality and queer and trans communities. 
  • An estimated timeline, estimated cost and size of team required for completion of work.
  • Resume of the primary person(s) responsible.
  • A summary of two previous scopes of work, with one strategic plan example 

Part B: 

  • A description of how you will approach the activities
  • A description of how previous projects have prepared you to undertake this strategic planning work, especially with small non-profit organizations, with a focus on intersectionality and queer and trans communities. 
  • An estimated timeline, estimated cost, and size of team required to complete the work.
  • Resume of the primary person(s) responsible.
  • A summary of two previous scopes of work
  • Demonstration of communications products and/or fundraising tools developed

You may submit for Parts A & B individually; combined submissions will be favoured. 

  • Three references with contact information for similar work per submission. 

Selection Criteria and Process

  • Demonstrated experience developing strategic planning processes with small non-profit organizations;
  • Consultants must be based in Canada or highly familiar with a Canadian context.
  • Demonstrated experience in grounding strategic planning and or fundraising and communications processes in feminist, intersectional, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices;
  • Experience working with 2SLGBTQI+ and or QTBIPOC people and communities.
  • Experience and expertise in strategic communications.
  • Strong recommendations from references.

Note: Strong consideration will be given to companies whose proposals indicate work will be led by 2SLGBTQI+ and or QTBIPOC individuals.

The proposals will be reviewed in detail according to the above criteria by the Board of Directors. Representatives of shortlisted proposals will be contacted to attend a meeting with Members of the Board of Directors. 

Project Timeline

Anticipated start and end dates: June 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.

To Apply

Please submit a proposal in line with the Proposal Summary and Scope of Work of up to a maximum of four pages (six pages for combined proposals) plus CVs, examples and references.

Please submit your proposal by email to Darren Stehle, Development Manager, at development@lambdafoundation.org, by 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, May 08, 2024.

Contact

If you require additional information, contact Darren Stehle, Development Manager, at development@lambdafoundation.org.

☞ Download a PDF copy of the Request For Proposals: Strategic Planning Consultant