What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe Nashville Food Project seeks a consultant or facilitator to lead its Board of Directors, executive leadership, and key stakeholders through a comprehensive strategic planning process. The scope covers four phases: discovery and assessment, facilitation and engagement, strategic plan framework drafting, and delivering a 3-to-5-year Strategic Plan with an operational dashboard or implementation matrix. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in strategic planning for small-to-midsize nonprofits with a social enterprise, with preferred expertise in food security, food systems, or community development. The target project timeline runs from March 2027 through October 2027, and work will be performed offsite. Questions are due by December 3, 2026, and the intent to submit deadline is November 20, 2026. Interested candidates must submit proposals—including approach, timeline, experience and references, cost proposal, team profiles, and NDA willingness—to [email protected] by December 20, 2026.
Scope of work
- Review historical organizational data, current financials, and previous strategic materials
- Conduct key informant interviews or focus groups with board members, staff, partners, and stakeholders
- Conduct a brief environmental scan / situational analysis (SWOT/PESTLE)
- Design and facilitate structured working sessions and retreats with leadership and the board
- Synthesize discovery findings and session outcomes into a cohesive strategic framework
- Work with leadership to draft core priorities, long-term goals, KPIs, and resource requirements
- Deliver a complete, polished 3-to-5-year Strategic Plan document
- Provide an accompanying operational dashboard/implementation matrix
Minimum qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and meeting facilitation for small-to-midsize nonprofits with a social enterprise
- Expertise in food security, food systems, or community development (preferred)
- Strong capability to challenge leadership productively, navigate difficult conversations, and resolve ambiguity
- High proficiency in project management, ensuring strict adherence to meeting schedules and deadlines
Documents to include with your response
- Approach & Methodology
- Timeline
- Experience & References (2–3 client references)
- Budget & Cost Proposal
- Team Profiles (resumes or bios)
- Non Disclosure Agreement (willingness to provide service under an NDA)
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit proposal via email as instructed in the RFP.