Introduction and Summary
Purpose of the RFP:
New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) seeks proposals from qualified consultants to support the development of our strategic plan for the fiscal years 2025-2027. We are aiming to begin this work December of 2024 to have a completed product by March 2025. The goal of this strategic plan is to build on the successes of our previous plan, focusing on enhancing community engagement, fostering economic empowerment, and ensuring sustainable development in the neighborhoods we serve.
Organization Overview:
NKCDC uses a strategic combination of real estate development, community engagement, and people-centered direct services to ensure all of our neighbors can remain—and thrive—where they choose to live. Our work utilizes a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying a racial equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting-edge of community development. Whether we are building affordable housing or helping residents build their wealth, we pledge to promote equity, stability, and safety in all we do, with a sharp focus on those most at risk of being displaced. Our work is responsive to community defined priorities as has been expressed through our participation in the Co-Creating Kensington Planning Process. KensingtonPlan.org.
Our Focus Areas:
1) Fighting Displacement
NKCDC resists the displacement of longtime residents by investing the resources and wealth of our communities in our communities. Our housing services help residents develop sustainable budgets and navigate home repair programs to keep them in their homes. We build and own apartment buildings—and build single-family homes for sale—that are genuinely affordable to residents of our community, where the actual median income is just 30% of what HUD considers Area Median Income for Philadelphia.
2) Growing Capacity:
We support residents of all ages in becoming leaders in their community. We organize and assist business associations and civic associations. We support partner organizations with resources, connections, and collaboration so they can learn and grow. We focus on the assets of the community to build upon the strengths and resilience of the neighborhood.
3) Improving Health:
Social determinants of health—factors such as housing, safety, environment, social connection, education, employment, income—have a profound effect on individual and community health. Through our nutrition education, urban agriculture and community health worker programs, NKCDC promotes healthy food and active lifestyles. Because of the mental health benefits of clean open space, we maintain hundreds of vacant lots across North Philadelphia and also maintain a vibrant urban agriculture program. A team of corridor stewards cleans and maintains four Kensington and Port Richmond commercial corridors year-round.
4) Building Wealth:
NKCDC builds generational wealth by creating and preserving homeownership, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, providing financial education, and offering job training such as our Community Health Worker workforce development program.
Project Scope
Environmental Scan and Needs Assessment:
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of NKCDC’s current operating environment, including demographic, economic, and social trends impacting our service areas.
Community Engagement Process:
We have been involved in an ongoing community planning process (KensingtonPlan.org) which has yielded significant information around resident needs and vision. We also regularly collect information from stakeholders such as businesses and other community stakeholders. While that data can be supplemented with newly collected information, significant data already exists, and our need is primarily for an integration of existing information into a participatory planning process in order to ensure that the strategic plan reflects the community’s needs and priorities
Review and Update Mission, Core Values and Vision for Organization:
Work closely with Staff, Board and Community to review the Mission and Vision of the organization and to develop a set of Core Values to drive our future endeavors.
Strategic Plan Development:
Develop a strategic plan that includes clear goals, strategies, and outcomes across key focus areas: catalytic development, community empowerment, pathways to stability, and organizational effectiveness. This plan should be accessible to a broad range of stakeholders and should be centered on both articulating our mission and values but also how they are expressed in our current and future work.
Implementation Framework:
Provide a detailed implementation plan, including timelines, responsibilities, resource requirements, and performance metrics.
Evaluation and Monitoring Plan:
Develop a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating progress against strategic goals, including key performance indicators and reporting mechanisms.
Desired Consultant Qualifications:
1) Proven experience in strategic planning for nonprofit organizations, particularly those focused on community development and social equity.
2) Expertise in facilitating community engagement processes that incorporate input from a diverse range of stakeholders.
3) Familiarity with the Philadelphia community and understanding of local socioeconomic dynamics.
4) A strong commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practices.
5) Demonstrated ability to deliver clear, actionable strategic plans that drive organizational growth and impact.
Submission Requirements:
Cover Letter:
Brief overview of the consultant’s qualifications, experience, and interest in the project. Include information on the consultant or firm, including team members, bios, relevant experience, and past projects.
Approach/Methodology and Work Plan/Timeline:
Please share a skeleton approach and work plan which we can refine through discussion. This can look like a description of the proposed approach to the strategic planning process and a work plan outline including key activities, deliverables, and timelines for each phase of the project.
Budget Proposal:
Comprehensive budget up to 30k, including all costs associated with the project (e.g., personnel, travel, materials).
References:
Contact information for at least three references from organizations with which the consultant has worked on similar projects.
Previous Work:
Please provide examples of previous strategic plans you have completed.
Project Timeline
- RFP Release Date: October 8, 2024
- Proposal Submission Deadline: October 21, 2024
- Interviews with Finalists: Week of October 28, 2024
- Consultant Selection and Notification: November 4, 2024
- Project Commencement: December 1, 2024
- Project Completion: April 1, 2024
Evaluation Criteria
1) Relevance and quality of experience
2) Proposed approach and methodology
3) Understanding of NKCDC’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities
4) Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
5) Cost-effectiveness and clarity of the budget proposal
6) References and past performance
Submission Instructions and Review Process
All Proposals must be submitted electronically to Katie Murphy at KMurphy@nkcdc.org by October 21, 2024 with subject line: “RFP Proposal: [Insert your name here]”.
For any questions regarding this RFP, please contact Katie Murphy at KMurphy@nkcdc.org.
After the close of submissions, we will review proposals and then schedule calls/meetings with potential consultants to answer any questions and review any potential updates that may be needed for proposal.
Terms and Conditions
This RFP does not commit NKCDC to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request. NKCDC reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this RFP, to negotiate with any or all qualified bidders, or to cancel this RFP in part or in its entirety.