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OPPORTUNITIES

Request for Proposal

Fundraising Consultant

Please submit proposals to president@dvlf.org.

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All questions should be sent via email by January 29, 2021 to the email listed above.

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Proposals are due by: February 5, 2021

DVLF REQUEST DESCRIPTION

FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT

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Introduction

DVLF is the leading funder of emerging needs in the LGBTQ+ community of the greater Philadelphia area. We strive to meet all of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, invest in its future by allowing the community to define its own needs through our grant-making process. We believe in equitable funding for the LGBTQ+ community, and that everyone can make a difference in helping us achieve this goal.

 

Our mission in the greater Philadelphia area is to:

  • Grow our endowment;

  • Continue to be recognized as the convener of LGBTQ+ philanthropy;

  • Educate about the value of philanthropy and our role in the LGBTQ+ community; and

  • Expand and diversify our short-term funding streams.

 

Our vision is that by our 30th anniversary in 2023, we will fully fund every qualified proposal received from the greater Philadelphia LGBTQ+ serving organizations during our grants cycle.

 

Brief

DVLF, having employed full-time leadership, has recently found itself at a crossroads and finds it necessary to review a different approach towards fundraising for our organization. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), DVLF seeks to have bidders provide the services outlined below for a Fundraising Consultant. The Consultant (individual or agency, but termed Consultant throughout this RFP) will work closely with board members and other key community stakeholders in building fundraising capacity, securing operating and endowment funds, and reviewing organizational staffing needs to help determine DVLF’s most effectiveness. 

 

Intentions

  1. It is DVLF’s goal to engage a Consultant for a period of one year, with the opportunity for extension;

  2. DVLF is committed to engaging a Consultant with a deep understanding of the region's LGBTQ+ community; and

  3. DVLF seeks a Consultant focused on results-driven, implementation work. While we understand that some degree of strategy is consistent within the scope of the work requested, we seek bids from hands-on practitioners. 

 

Project Budget

DVLF seeks bids for work scoped at $3,000-$4,000 per month.



 

Proposal Format

To ensure successful review of all proposals, bidders should format responses with the following information:

 

  1. Contact Information - A description of the bidder and detailed contact information;

  2. Pricing - A description of bidders price schedule and method - retainer, hourly, etc.;

  3. Capacity Statement - A detailed response to the scope articulated, along with a statement of commitment to community described (we respectfully request this be limited to 5 pages);

  4. Staff Profiles - Credential information of staff proposed to be engaged and their respective roles on the engagement; and

  5. Bidder’s References - Contact information for three references.

 

Submission

Please submit proposals to: president@dvlf.org

 

Proposals are due by: February 5, 2021 (extended)

 

All questions should be sent via email by January 29, 2021 (extended) to the email listed above. 


 

Submission Guidelines:

  1. DVLF intends to award an agreement based on this process therefore a viable proposal should outline the full work scope, along with detailed pricing.

  2. At its discretion, DVLF may choose not issue any agreement based on this process. It may also choose to issue as few or as many agreements as are necessary to fulfill this work scope.

  3. While overall cost of the proposal is an important consideration, lowest cost bid may or may not be accepted based on other factors noted below.

  4. Bids must include all costs in US dollars. Quotes should remain valid for 30 calendar days from submission.

  5. There will be no reimbursement for the costs associated with proposal preparation.

 

Timeline and Evaluation

DLVF’s committee intends to follow the timeline below:

  • January 29, 2021 - all bidder questions in and responded to on a rolling basis.

  • February 5, 2021  - All bids received by 5 PM (EST)

  • February 8 - 14, 2021 - Proposal review

  • February 22- March 5, 2021  - Interviews

  • March 16, 2021  - Board vote

  • March 17, 2021 - Agreement issued

  • April 1, 2021  - Consultant start

 

DVLF will select the bidders who provide a mix of highly skilled credentials, along with a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ of the region.

 

The following criteria, though not an exclusive metric, will inform our decision making:

  1. Technical capacity and proficiency

  2. Prior performance

  3. Understanding of strategy v. implementation 

  4. Clarity and consistency of the response, including specific project plans and timelines

  5. Cost competitiveness

  6. Commitment to and understanding of the LGBTQ+ Community


 

Scope of Work

  1. Assessment of DVLF’s current fundraising programs, board expectations, current capacity, and the current fundraising climate.

    1. Identify SWOT of fundraising efforts and infrastructure

    2. Track, update, and inspire  board members on respective annual giving goals

 

  1. Develop a multi-year development plan both high-level strategy and implementation towards generating $150,000- $300,000 annually in unrestricted revenue, plus strategic endowment growth

    1. Create a comprehensive fundraising plan 

    2. Recommend key annual tactics within the plan for both the board and recommended potential staff

    3. Develop plan that accounts for both operational needs and endowment building

      1. Validate existing legacy gift commitments

      2. Recommend general relationship-building cadence

      3. Develop targeted action plans for specific high-potential donors

 

  1. Implement the development plan in coordination with the Board

    1. Identify ten new high-potential donors and establish targeted action plans

    2. Implement the development plan and meet its goals, as established including:

      1. Proactively maintain relationships with current individual donors and cultivate relationships with prospective individual donors of DVLF primarily through direct contact (phone, direct postal mail, direct email, and personal meetings), as well as indirect contact (social media, mass email communication, mass mailings, and events);

      2. Maintain relationships with current corporate donors and cultivate relationships with prospective corporate donors through direct contact with marketing, corporate giving, employee resource group contacts, and other appropriate means; and

      3. Coordinate  with relevant committees on fundraising activities related to two signature events - TOY and HEROES.

    3. Provide training and guidance to board members on how to implement the plan in subsequent years

    4. Recommend an action plan and resources necessary to implement the full scope of the plan beyond the first year

 

  1. Work with DVLF Administrator to ensure an organized and well-maintain donor database

    1. Review current Salesforce database ensuring information accuracy

    2. Clean up donor records as required

    3. Maintain donor records 

 

  1. Represent DVLF at funder organization events and activities (e.g., day-to-day interface with The Philadelphia Foundation, America’s Charities, and others);

 

Statement Regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the LGBTQ+ community, and DVLF follows all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and City of Philadelphia restrictions, as well as the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for limiting the spread of this devastating disease. DVLF has suspended all in-person activities and events in March 2020, and we do not anticipate a resumption of in-person events for a significant portion of 2021. Therefore:

  1. Consultant interviews will be conducted via Zoom video conference;

  2. Consultant's proposal should anticipate performing a substantive portion of activities related to the Scope of Work while conforming to restrictions on in-person activities; and

  3. In our evaluation of proposals we will consider innovative approaches to development in time of a pandemic.

 

Requirements

  • Proven track record in developing and implementing creative fundraising plans;

  • Exceptional acumen in evaluating organizational capacity and preparedness for long-term fundraising success;

  • Ability to both implement and think strategically about fundraising and human resource requirements necessary for implementation of fundraising planning; 

  • Successful track record in closing gifts from individual and institutional donors;

  • Strong preference to a Consultant committed to the LGBTQ+ concerns of our region; and

  • Ability to work independently and be focused on deliverables. 

 

Technical Notes

  • DVLF has implemented SalesForce Nonprofit Success Pack for donor tracking;

  • Consultant can be provided with DVLF email address;

  • Physical office space cannot be provided.

 

 

DVLF is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law.

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