The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) is a non-profit organization providing services throughout Southern Arizona since 1980. Our purpose is to create an equitable and vibrant community for all Southern Arizonans by connecting donors to causes they care about, now, and forever.
The African American Legacy Fund (“AALF”) is an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona with a specific focus on philanthropy in the African American community. The African American Legacy Fund was started in 2013 as a result of the leadership and foresight of Anna Jolivet, PhD, a renowned educator, philanthropist, and civic leader. Dr. Jolivet saw the need to increase philanthropy that strengthens the African American community and addresses the disparities of educational, economic, and social opportunity faced by Black Southern Arizonans.
The African American Legacy Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, is currently accepting applications for a fundraising consultant. We are looking for a dynamic and visionary individual who can help to develop and implement a fundraising strategy, including leveraging the opportunity of a matching gift, as well as securing revenue toward AALF’s endowment.
Term of Engagement
AALF is estimating that the work will take up to, and no longer than, three years. The contract will be assessed on an annual basis.
SCOPE OF WORK
The proposed scope of work is:
- Assist with training and development of AALF Board of Advisors to increase scope of knowledge of endowments and fundraising.
- Create two-phased campaign plan to raise minimum of $500k to complete $1 million endowment goal. Phases should be divided into private-facing and public-facing endowment campaigns and should leverage a committed matching gift.
- In coordination with the AALF Board of Advisors, AALF Endowment Committee, and CFSA Philanthropy Department, complete campaign planning elements including a prospect list, donor pyramid, cultivation plans, and stewardship and recognition plan.
- In coordination with the above and CFSA’s Marketing + Communications Team, develop key messages, materials, case for support, proposals, and other donor communications and events as they pertain to AALF endowment campaign.
- Work to develop mailing list of key prospects and donors including individuals and foundations.
Definition of services to be provided:
- Quarterly meetings with AALF Board of Advisors
- Bi-monthly meetings with AALF Endowment Campaign Committee
- Monthly coordination with CFSA Philanthropic Services department
- Production of above deliverables.
- Presentation of findings (phased endowment campaign plans) in formats for several audiences including AALF Board of Advisors and Endowment Campaign committee.
Selection Process and Timeline
- December 21st: RFP Released
- January 28th: Applications due
- February 10th: Committee Review Begins
- February 28th: Consultant selected and notified
- March 14th: Proposed start date
RFP Submission Requirements
Proposals should include the following:
- History of your firm and expertise.
- Biography of consultant.
- Budget: Proposed cost, along with a narrative description of what is included in the cost.
- Your Non-discrimination or Diversity statement.
- References: Please provide two references.
Proposals must be sent by email in a single PDF file to Jeaiza Quinones Ivory (jqivory@cfsaz.org) no later than 5:00 PM MST on January 28th, 2022. It is anticipated that a Contractor will be selected and approved by February 28th, 2022. Working period is anticipated to run from March 14th, 2022 through October 31, 2024.
Evaluation Criteria
All proposals will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:
- Performance capability—the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the firm’s ability to provide the depth and breadth of experience, skills, knowledge, and creativity required by this project.
- Completeness and quality of response, including clear deliverables and reasonable approach.
- Prior experience working with the African American community.
- Proposed cost and timeline.
- Pursuant to CFSA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its Non-Discrimination Statement, preference will be given to firms with a proven record of commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice.
Top-rated candidates may be invited to interview with the committee. The selected consultant and CFSA will then mutually discuss and refine the scope of work for the project and shall negotiate final conditions, compensation, and performance schedule for the subsequent contract to be executed.