RFP – Economic Development Capital Campaign – The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT SERVICES

Economic Development Capital Campaign

1) BACKGROUND

The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3, public/private regional economic development partnership serving the 13 county Great Falls, Montana trade area.

GFDA’s mission is to lead Great Falls economic development efforts to promote growth, diversification and the creation of high wage jobs.

GFDA was created through a reorganization of economic development efforts in 2002. We have had two successful 5-year capital campaigns and wish to conduct a third. Pledges from our last campaign expire with the end of our fiscal year June 30, 2012. In our last campaign, we raised approximately $3.5 million from 185 private investors representing leading companies in Great Falls, from the City of Great Falls and from Cascade County. In our current fiscal year, 26% of our revenue comes from private investment and 13% from City and County investment. The goal for the new campaign will be determined by our Board following a feasibility study to be conducted by the consultant we select to manage the campaign.
GFDA is governed by a 29 member Board, comprised one-third by public and non-profit investors appointed by their respective boards and two-thirds by private investors elected by our private membership. We have a ten person staff.

In the fall of 2009, we conducted a strategic planning process and adopted a new strategic plan for 2010-2012 in response to changes wrought by the recession. We will conduct a similar process this summer and fall, producing an updated strategic plan on which to base the campaign. The draft plan will be available for testing during the campaign feasibility study.

GFDA has purchased and is using FundRaiser Software. The software package includes functionality to track investors and prospects, monitor pledges and track campaign effectiveness.

Additional information regarding GFDA, including our current strategic plan, is available on our web site: http://www.GreatFallsDevelopment.org

2) PURPOSE & SCOPE

The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is requesting submissions from fundraising consultants interested in managing a 5 year Capital Campaign to raise the money needed to support economic development in Great Falls, Montana.
We seek a firm that will professionally staff the campaign on the ground in Great Falls. GFDA will provide office space, administrative support and, if necessary, housing and automobile. The expectations of GFDA should be clearly outlined in your proposal.

The purpose of this Request for Proposal is to retain a Fundraising Consultant who will:

Phase 1 – Conduct a Campaign Feasibility Study

• Assist in development of a case statement

• Conduct confidential interviews with top prospects

• Determine realistic campaign goal as recommendation to Board

Phase 2 – Develop a Campaign Plan

• Develop campaign plan and calendar

• Assist in developing collateral materials

• Refine internal capacity including staff and volunteer requirements

• Train Board, volunteer and staff

• Assist in development of volunteer Campaign Council

Phase 3 – Manage the Campaign

• Manage campaign prospect identification and evaluation

• Assist in development of campaign materials

• Make prospect calls and follow-ups assisted by volunteers

• Donor stewardship and cultivation

• Develop campaign events

• Donor recognition

• Manage the public information and public relations plan

3) SCHEDULE

GFDA would like to substantially conclude the campaign by the end of June 2012 when our new fiscal year will begin. The preliminary schedule for the campaign is:

May/June Consultant Selection

July Contract Negotiation & Execution

September/October Feasibility Study

November Campaign Plan

December Campaign Launch

4) PROPOSAL FORMAT AND REQUIREMENTS

Respondents must furnish one original and five copies of their proposal. Please limit Proposal to 20 page (not including staff resumes). Estimated price and terms for services should be provided separately listing breakdown of scope of services in a sealed envelope marked "Estimated Price & Terms for Services." Please address the following areas in your proposal:

A) Experience of firm

B) Experience of staff who will work on this campaign

C) Experience in similar communities and economic development

D) Proposed campaign strategy

E) Expectations of GFDA

F) Proposed campaign schedule

G) References from at least six clients

5) CONSULTANT SELECTION

Proposals will be evaluated and scored by GFDA’s Capital Campaign Planning Committee in its sole discretion based on the following criteria:

A) Demonstrated experience of staff to be assigned to the campaign

B) Firm’s understanding of economic development and small city environments

C) Campaign strategy’s fit with GFDA’s values and operations

D) Demonstrated experience of the firm

The Capital Campaign Planning Committee may or may not choose to conduct telephone, online or in person interviews.

Following proposal scoring, the top ranked firm, including the staff to be assigned to this campaign, will be expected to travel to Great Falls at its expense for an interview. Upon selection of a finalist, GFDA will enter into contract negotiations. If these negotiations fail, GFDA will proceed with contract negotiations with the firm scoring second, and so on. Unsuccessful respondents will be notified as soon as possible.

6) RFP QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Questions and responses should be directed to GFDA, attn: Nano McCluskey, P.O. Box 949, Great Falls, MT 59403-0949, (406) 771-9023 [email protected]. All responses to the RFP must be received by March 31 , 2011. Please state "Proposal for Campaign 2012" on the outside of the response package. Please provide one original and five copies of the proposal.

7) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS

A. STATEMENT OF NON-COMMITMENT

Issuance of this RFP does not commit the Great Falls Development Authority to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in preparation of proposals responding to the RFP. The GFDA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and re-advertise. All proposals become the property of the GFDA.

B. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Successful contract bidders must comply with provisions of all applicable federal law, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any subcontracting by the successful bidder subjects the subcontracting firm(s) to the same provisions of federal law.

C. COMPLIANCE WITH THE MONTANA GOVERNMENTAL CODE OF FAIR PRACTICES, 49-3-207. MCA

In accordance with 49-3-207, MCA, the Contractor agrees that for this agreement all hiring will be made on the basis of merit and qualifications and that there will be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or national origin by persons performing the Agreement.

D. VENUE

The laws of the State of Montana govern this contract. The parties agree that any litigation concerning bid, proposal, or subsequent contract must be brought in the Eighth Judicial District of Cascade County, State of Montana and each party shall pay its own costs and attorney fees. (Reference 18-1-401 MCA)

E. INSURANCE

Certificates of Insurance, indicating compliance with the required overage, must be filed with the Great Falls Development Authority within ten (10) working days of the Notice of Award. The proof of insurance/exemption must be valid for the entire contract period. Contracts WILL NOT be issued to contractors that fail to submit insurance certificates as specified herein:

Proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance valid within the State of Montana or proof of exemption thereof.

Proof of commercial general liability insurance, including automobile insurance, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.

F. RFP AUTHORITY

This RFP has been issued in accordance with Title 18, Montana Code Annotated and the Administrative Rules of Montana, Title 2, Chapter 5. The RFP process is a procurement option, allowing award to be based on stated criteria or evaluation factors. The evaluation factors to be used in this procurement have been specified in Section 5 of this RFP.