CFBC seeks a consultant to guide the implementation of a strategic plan that reflects a rolling three year format (2022, 2023, 2024). The plan should include perspectives provided via research as well as interviews with specified stakeholders including but not limited to staff members, board members, donors, grantees and local stakeholders. CFBC is prepared to host the two day meeting in late September. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the selected consultant to facilitate the 2023 strategic planning process which will focus on 2023, 2024, and 2025.
About Community Foundation Boulder County
Community Foundation Boulder County (CFBC) is a community catalyst, responding to immediate needs and anticipating future challenges. Through informed‐decision‐making, we inspire ideas and action and mobilize diverse resources to improve the quality of life for everyone in Boulder County. As a collaborator and convener, we promote inclusivity and provide leadership on key issues, working with community‐ minded individuals and organizations that want to make a difference.
Established in 1991, Community Foundation Boulder County currently has assets totaling more than $90 million. In 2020, the foundation received over $15 million in contributions and distributed over $10 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. CFBC has granted more than $100 million to nonprofit organizations since its inception and recently raised over $40 million to support fire recovery efforts in Boulder County.
Background and Structure
The Foundation currently has a staff of thirteen and a sixteen‐member board of trustees. Board committee representation includes an additional twenty‐five people. The foundation’s long‐time president retired in 2017, and a second change in leadership occurred in 2020. As with many non‐profit organizations, the foundation has responded to multiple unanticipated events in the last two years including fires and a mass shooting.
The Foundation’s primary purpose is fundraising and works closely with community partners to ensure strategic investments for maximum community benefit.
CFBC seeks a partner to help assess and align the Foundation’s work to our mission of cultivating a more equitable Boulder County.
Requested Services
CFBC seeks a consultant to guide the implementation of a strategic plan that reflects a rolling three year format (2022, 2023, 2024). The plan should include perspectives provided via research as well as interviews with specified stakeholders including but not limited to staff members, board members, donors, grantees and local stakeholders. CFBC is prepared to host the two day meeting in late September. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the selected consultant to facilitate the 2023 strategic planning process which will focus on 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Specific Responsibilities
- Conduct interviews and meetings with CFBC leadership, staff, donors, board members, local government representatives, and others.
- Provide an overview of the collected information including insights and deductions.
- Collaborate with the CFBC Strategic Planning Committee to develop an agenda for a two‐day strategic planning event.
- Facilitate strategic planning meeting in late September.
- Compile a draft plan that reflects observations, conclusions, prioritizations, and recommendations.
- Facilitate additional meetings with the staff to assist with the development of an operational plan that reflects the steps necessary to support the agreed upon recommendations.
- Facilitate two check‐in meetings with staff in year 1 to review progress.
- Provide an assessment on progress to staff leadership and board at the end of year 1, offering recommendations as appropriate.
- Interact with Strategic Planning committee on a mutually agreeable frequency to provide process updates.
CFBC is open to modifications to this scope based on consultant recommendations and expertise. Final deliverables will be negotiated with the selected applicant or applicants. CFBC reserves the right to split this scope of work among more than one consultant/firm if it determines that different consultants are best suited to different bodies of work.
Conflicts of Interests
CFBC requests applicants disclose all potential or perceived conflicts as part of their submission. A conflict of interest is defined as any financial relationship (current or within the last five years) with an entity or person that conducts business directly with CFBC, on behalf of CFBC or is a recipient of any disbursements from CFBC within Boulder County.
Please respond to the following questions:
1. Expertise and background: The proposal must describe your qualifications to conduct the scope of work activities, expertise, knowledge, and experience. Experience should include working with non‐profits, postsecondary institutions, and complex partnerships. To accomplish the scope requested, you will need to possess the following qualifications:
- Experience at successfully developing consensus‐based strategic plans
- Knowledgeable of collective impact or collaborative strategic initiatives
- Strong facilitation skills
- Experience at creating a neutral environment for, and soliciting input from, individuals from various sectors
- Experience at gathering and utilizing data to inform the strategic planning process
- Ability to constructively challenge key stakeholders
- Experience inspiring others to think innovatively
- Project management experience
If a consultant group or partnership of consultants is proposed to conduct the RFP scope of work, the proposal must note which activities each consultant will conduct as well as information about their level of knowledge and experience to conduct those specific activities. Proposals should include a short bio of key staff.
2. Previous Experience: Describe your work on similar projects including your approach, experience aggregating and synthesizing stakeholder input and the roles you put into place for board and staff over the course of the project.
3. Work Plan: The proposal should contain a detailed description of the activities to be conducted by the consultant to complete the requested scope of work, including:
• The specific activities and a timeline for the activities at each stage,
• Milestones and deliverables tied to those activities, and
• A detailed budget for each task, along with a proposed payment schedule tied to project milestones and/or deliverables.
4. References: The proposal should include at least three references of individuals who can speak to their experience with the consultant in conducting projects of similar scope. Information regarding each reference should include the individual’s name, address, telephone number and email address.
5. Previous Work Product: The proposal should include at least two examples of written work similar to the scope of work requested within this RFP (e.g., strategic plan).
6. Compensation and Timing: All proposals should include a budget for planning, execution of services, follow up and documentation, as well as travel and overhead expenses.
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: August 8, 2022
- Interviews: August 15 – 19, 2022
- Final Selection: August 29, 2022
Questions and submissions
Please direct all questions and submissions to Hannah Blum, Executive Coordinator at hannah@commfound.org or 303.442.0436.
