MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTATION

INTRODUCTION

An important goal of the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations is to enrich its high quality education program through the provision of important services to Greater Cleveland nonprofit organizations. One strategy for accomplishing this goal is to assign student teams to assist selected organizations in designing and carrying out their strategic planning processes. Students enrolled in the Strategic Planning Practicum will be assigned to work with organizations from September 2009 through April 2010.

Nonprofit organizations desiring this assistance must have at least one paid staff (part-time or full-time) and a functioning Board of Trustees. In order to be considered for assignment of a team, representatives (preferably the staff leader and the Board Chair/President) of nonprofit organizations must attend one of two informational meetings and submit a brief proposal in accordance with the requirements outlined below. Proposals will be accepted only from organizations whose representatives attend an informational meeting.

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

The agenda of the informational meetings will include (a) explanation of the strategic planning course content, (b) review of the critical issues strategic planning process, (c) clarification of the expectations for both organizational clients and the consulting teams, and (d) proposal submittal and selection processes. It is strongly suggested that both the Executive Director/CEO and the Board President/Chair attend the informational meeting. The meetings will be July 8 and July 13, 2009, from 6:00 pm. - 8:00 p.m. at the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations located at 11402 Bellflower Road on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.

To ask questions or to RSVP regarding attendance at these informational meetings, please e-mail john.yankey@case.edu, with a copy to michele.murphy@case.edu. The deadline for reservations is July 6th. When sending your RSVP, please indicate your organization's name, names and "positions" of your representatives attending, and which of the two sessions you will attend.

FEE

While there will be no cost to organizations for the team consultation, some funding ($200 - $500) will be required for duplication of materials, mailings, meeting related expenses (food, supplies, etc.) and, in some instances, transportation costs.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT

Any nonprofit organization planning to submit a proposal for this strategic planning consultation must notify the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations by August 11, 2009 of its intent to do so. This notification of intent to submit should be e-mailed to john.yankey@case.edu, with a copy to michele.murphy@case.edu.

PROPOSAL FORMAT AND LENGTH

Proposals should include:

• Cover letter signed by Executive Director (Chief Executive Officer) and Board President (Chair), to include identification of the individual (name, telephone number, and e-mail address) who will serve as the organization’s primary contact for the consulting team

• Proposal narrative (maximum five pages, single spaced)
• Provide a description of the organization, including:
• History
• Mission
• Clientele served
• Program(s) offered
• Budget overview
• Sources of financial support 
• Describe the organization’s previous strategic planning experience
• List the reason(s) for conducting strategic planning at this time
• Identify 4-5 critical issues likely to confront the organization over the next three to five years

• List of 12 – 25 individuals who are prospects to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee

• Attachments
• List of Board Members
• Organizational Chart
• Annual Report (if available)
• 990 Form (2007 or 2008)

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL & NOTIFICATION

Two copies of the proposal,  including attachments, should be submitted by August  29, 2008 to:

Student consulting teams will review all proposals and select those nonprofit organizations with which to consult.  The number of organizations chosen will be determined by the number of student teams. Organizations will be notified the week of September 14, 2009 as to choices made by the consulting teams.

Frequently Asked Questions