Request for Proposals – Strategic Plan Visual Design and Promotion

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) seeks a talented individual or team with a background in strategic communications, environmental and political advocacy, and public messaging to produce its final strategic plan and associated public relations strategy. 

Over the past year, the OEC and its 501(c)(4) affiliate, the OEC Action Fund, have developed organizational strategic plans encompassing work for the next few years. Your expertise and technical skills will be essential to presenting the project to our membership, supporters, partners, and the public.

Scope of Work

The selected vendor will work with the Vice President of Public Affairs to develop the following work products, to be completed by May 30, 2024:

Strategic Plan Design

For the OEC: 

• Design a comprehensive document for the OEC Strategic Plan, with the ability to separate elements for stand-alone one pagers. 
  • Elements to include in template: 
    • Mission/vision/values
    • Organizational goals and priorities
    • Theory of change
    • Top programmatic goals
    • Objectives for six to ten distinct program areas
    • Case for funding support
    • Finalize document in PDF format for website, mobile and print publication. The document layout shall be designed in a way that makes it user friendly for both print format and on digital devices including phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
    • Share final InDesign file with OEC and OEC Action Fund for future use. 
    • Design a slide deck template for Strategic Plan and program areas. 

For the OEC Action Fund: 

• Design a comprehensive print document for the OEC Action Fund Strategic Plan, with the ability to separate elements for stand-alone one pagers. 
  • Elements to include in template: 
• Mission/vision/values
• Organizational goals and priorities
• Theory of change
• Top programmatic goals
• Objectives for six to ten distinct program areas
• Case for funding support
• Finalize document in PDF format for website, mobile and print publication. The document layout shall be designed in a way that makes it user friendly for both print format and on digital devices including phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
• Share final InDesign file with OEC and OEC Action Fund for future use. 
• Design a slide deck template for Strategic Plan and program areas. 

Potential Add for both the OEC and OEC Action Fund (we know not every contractor will have these capacities):

• Develop a library of approximately 50-100 images and photographs to provide visual illustration of certain policies or recommendations within the Strategic Plan
  • Graphics for promotional use to communicate the strategic plans through a variety of communication channels, including social media, email, video, etc
• Copywriting and proofreading support for final documents (OEC and OEC Action Fund will provide a majority of the content)
• An interactive website allowing visitors to effectively understand the elements of the strategic plans, with methods for visitors to support and take action in furtherance of the plans
• Public Relations Campaign
• Launch events, both in-person and digital, designed to present the strategic plans to key constituencies across Ohio
• A press strategy to promote the plan through earned media
• A social media campaign designed to promote engagement with the strategic plans’ interactive website
• A digital fundraising plan for the organization to execute to bring in new donors to support the strategic plans

If you are selected, you will work in coordination with the OEC’s Vice President of Public Affairs to finalize the specific elements included in the strategic plans’ final designs and associated campaigns. The final elements will be selected based on what you propose in your application and as a result of collaborative discussions prior to signing a contract. 

We encourage you to propose creative elements, campaigns, or concepts to support the strategic plan’s launch in your application, even if they are not listed above in the Scope of Work!

What we expect from a competitive application:

• A portfolio demonstrating projects of similar scope and style
• A cover letter describing your interest, experience, summary of your approach to completing the Scope of Work, and at least two references
• Resume(s) of individual(s) who will work on the project
• Itemized budget and timeline

To submit your application, please complete this form. We will review applications on a rolling basis, contacting you for an interview if you submit a compelling application.

The Ohio Environmental Council is committed to equitable treatment and opportunity in its relation with consultants and potential consultants. As such, we encourage proposal submissions from organizations and individuals who represent diverse communities. 

The total budget for this scope of work is $15,000 – $20,000. We encourage competitive bids within this range, though encourage creative proposals to feature additional components that may exceed the target range.

All items should be submitted via the linked form by 5pm on Monday, December 18. We encourage submissions after that date and will review them on a rolling basis. Please contact Chris Tavenor (ctavenor@theoec.org) if you have any questions. 

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

To learn more about the Ohio Environmental Council, visit: https://www.theoec.org.

To learn more about the OEC Action Fund, our affiliated 501(c)(4), please visit: https://www.theoecactionfund.org/.