RFP - Strategic Planning Consultant

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About the Organization

With more than 1.6 million members and supporters beside us, we are the voice of America’s national parks since 1919, working to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations. We celebrate the parks — and work tirelessly to defend them — whether on the ground, in the courtroom or on Capitol Hill. From our national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and various locations nationwide, we call on our program and policy experts, committed volunteers, staff lobbyists, community organizers and communications specialists to inform and inspire the public and to influence decision makers to ensure that our national parks are well protected.

Mission: To protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations.

About the Proposal

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is seeking proposals from a qualified consultant or consulting firm to co-create, facilitate, and oversee the process and development of NPCA’s next Strategic Plan, to be finalized (in draft) by May 2026, with final board approval in late June 2026. NPCA’s current Strategic Plan covers our work from 2021 to 2026.

We are specifically seeking a consultant with demonstrated cultural competencies and experience working with nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organizations. We desire candidates with a strong track record of deploying inclusive processes that honor and integrate varied perspectives and lived experiences. The selected consultant will work collaboratively with staff strategic planning leads along with our executive team, staff, board members, donors, and key partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to co-create a strategic plan that reflects our organizational values and priorities. Importantly, the plan will need to be designed to provide flexibility for implementation within the complex environment in which we operate. The desired process should be inclusive and intentional, with efforts to envision the long-term direction of the organization while strategizing for the next 5 years.

Project Scope and Deliverables:

This is an unprecedented time for our national parks, and thus for the work our organization does. Our current strategic plan covers the period of 2021 to 2026. We seek assistance in developing out a robust process to help chart our course for the next 5 years, ensuring ample opportunities for input. Importantly, flexibility in the design and subsequent implementation is necessary. We aim to complete the final draft of the plan by May 2026, for final approval by our board in late June 2026.

We have initiated some preliminary steps and conversations to engage various audiences, and as part of that we have sketched out a schedule for the process (attached). We are very open to collaboratively refining or modifying this initial outline with the selected Consultant.

Deliverables:

• A detailed project plan.
• Stakeholder engagement and data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups).
• Facilitation in-person of at least two board/staff retreats, and at least eight virtual planning or refining sessions, in addition to regular check-ins with organization leads.
• Distillation of emerging themes and broad areas of consensus.
• Draft and final versions of the strategic plan document, developed in collaboration with organization leadership.
• Recommendations for implementation, evaluation, and review.

Eligibility

The ideal consultant or firm will have:

• Proven experience facilitating strategic planning for nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations; work with advocacy organizations is a plus.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit structures, policy and systems change work, and coalition building.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work effectively across multiple different perspectives, while adhering to NPCA’s nonpartisan mission.
• Experience applying equitable approaches to facilitation practices.
• Skill in integrating multiple perspectives into cohesive strategic frameworks.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:

• Cover Letter outlining interest and relevant experience.
• Approach and Methodology: A description of how you would approach the project, including stakeholder engagement and inclusivity.
• Timeline with key milestones and deliverables.
• Budget: Proposed fee structure, including hourly/daily rates, estimated hours, and any anticipated expenses.
• Qualifications and Experience: Résumé(s), bios, or organizational profile, including specific examples of cultural competency.
• References: At least two references from organizations where similar work was accomplished.
• Sample Work (if available): Two to three examples of previous strategic plans or facilitation products.

Deadline for Submission: July 7

Please submit your proposal electronically in PDF format to the Hiring Lead (see above), with Subject Line: Strategic Planning RFP – [Your Name or Firm Name] Questions can also be submitted to the Hiring Lead, no later than July 3. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

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