SBN Issues Request for Proposals
Extended deadline: All proposals must be received by 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) seeks consultants for two capacity-building projects focused on messaging and marketing/communications. Interested parties may respond to one or two sections of the RFP. These capacity-building projects will strengthen SBN by building internal capabilities, developing outreach plans, working towards long-term financial sustainability and promoting existing programs, with the goal of establishing SBN as a powerful force for change in building a more just and sustainable regional economy.
Background
Our mission is to help local, independent businesses thrive while they build an economy that values people, planet and prosperity for all. Through educational seminars, conferences, networking events, and one-on-one mentoring, SBN teaches the “triple bottom line” business model - people, planet and profit - that measures business success by how well an organization impacts its employees, its community and the environment. Over the past five years, SBN has become the premier network for social entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region; we are regularly called on to be the voice of responsible local business. We collaborate with business development organizations to provide quality training opportunities; we work with environmental organizations to promote sustainable business practices; and we work with community-based organizations to support businesses at a grassroots level. SBN currently supports more than 350 active business members from across the Delaware Valley, and 1,222 people attended our educational events last year alone.
Founded in 2001, SBN was originally housed in the White Dog Café Foundation, a 501c3 working to build a local living economy in the Philadelphia region, with the intention of eventually spinning off as an independent organization. After years of membership and program development, and with strategic and business plans to guide future operations, SBN spun off from the White Dog Café Foundation on October 1, 2006. SBN is a founding member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).
Project 1: Messaging
Cost: Not to exceed $5,000
Our goal is to develop language that will effectively communicate our work to prospective funders, donors, and business members. We seek a consultant with excellent writing skills who can help us refine our messaging to better reach our target market. We desire boilerplate language that we can use for communication materials and staff, Board, and volunteer training.
Expected deliverable:
o Development of boilerplate language describing SBN’s mission, vision, principles, and programs in multiple formats for use in fundraising, brochures, educational communication materials, and other public communications.
Project 3: Marketing/Communications Plan and Materials
Cost: Not to exceed $10,000
The marketing/communications plan should result in increased visibility for SBN, as well as media coverage for SBN member businesses that promote the triple bottom line philosophy of business.
Expected deliverables:
o Marketing plan
o Communications plan, including media strategies
o Create and produce print materials, including brochures (minimum 1000)
o Design other collateral materials: e.g. table top display
Selection Criteria
Successful candidates will be chosen based on the following criteria:
o Ability to provide services that match our needs
o Preference to local providers; Consideration to current SBN members
o Cost
o Track record – we will review samples of previous work and check references
Proposal Requirements
Please include the following in your application:
o Description of your firm and experience in this area.
o How will you meet the deliverables? Please include a description of the process you would use for each project.
o Outline of cost and terms being proposed
o Timeline for completion of project
o Samples of previous work
o Three client references, as well as a client list
Application Procedures
All proposals must be received by 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Proposals may be submitted electronically to the following address: leanne@sbnphiladelphia.org
Proposals submitted in writing (as well as hard copies of sample materials) should be addressed to:
Sustainable Business Network
Attn: Leanne Krueger-Braneky
1218 Chestnut Street, Suite 1008
Philadelphia, PA 19107
All proposals will be reviewed by a committee of staff and Board members.
Timeline
The timeline for choosing candidates is as follows:
Request for Proposals Issued: May 29, 2007
Proposals due to SBN: July 3, 2007
Decisions made: July 9, 2007
Projects begin: July – September 2007
Inquiries
Any inquires regarding this Request for Proposals should be submitted in writing via e-mail to leanne@sbnphiladelphia.org.
The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) seeks consultants for two capacity-building projects focused on messaging and marketing/communications. Interested parties may respond to one or two sections of the RFP. These capacity-building projects will strengthen SBN by building internal capabilities, developing outreach plans, working towards long-term financial sustainability and promoting existing programs, with the goal of establishing SBN as a powerful force for change in building a more just and sustainable regional economy.
Background
Our mission is to help local, independent businesses thrive while they build an economy that values people, planet and prosperity for all. Through educational seminars, conferences, networking events, and one-on-one mentoring, SBN teaches the “triple bottom line” business model - people, planet and profit - that measures business success by how well an organization impacts its employees, its community and the environment. Over the past five years, SBN has become the premier network for social entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region; we are regularly called on to be the voice of responsible local business. We collaborate with business development organizations to provide quality training opportunities; we work with environmental organizations to promote sustainable business practices; and we work with community-based organizations to support businesses at a grassroots level. SBN currently supports more than 350 active business members from across the Delaware Valley, and 1,222 people attended our educational events last year alone.
Founded in 2001, SBN was originally housed in the White Dog Café Foundation, a 501c3 working to build a local living economy in the Philadelphia region, with the intention of eventually spinning off as an independent organization. After years of membership and program development, and with strategic and business plans to guide future operations, SBN spun off from the White Dog Café Foundation on October 1, 2006. SBN is a founding member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).
Project 1: Messaging
Cost: Not to exceed $5,000
Our goal is to develop language that will effectively communicate our work to prospective funders, donors, and business members. We seek a consultant with excellent writing skills who can help us refine our messaging to better reach our target market. We desire boilerplate language that we can use for communication materials and staff, Board, and volunteer training.
Expected deliverable:
o Development of boilerplate language describing SBN’s mission, vision, principles, and programs in multiple formats for use in fundraising, brochures, educational communication materials, and other public communications.
Project 3: Marketing/Communications Plan and Materials
Cost: Not to exceed $10,000
The marketing/communications plan should result in increased visibility for SBN, as well as media coverage for SBN member businesses that promote the triple bottom line philosophy of business.
Expected deliverables:
o Marketing plan
o Communications plan, including media strategies
o Create and produce print materials, including brochures (minimum 1000)
o Design other collateral materials: e.g. table top display
Selection Criteria
Successful candidates will be chosen based on the following criteria:
o Ability to provide services that match our needs
o Preference to local providers; Consideration to current SBN members
o Cost
o Track record – we will review samples of previous work and check references
Proposal Requirements
Please include the following in your application:
o Description of your firm and experience in this area.
o How will you meet the deliverables? Please include a description of the process you would use for each project.
o Outline of cost and terms being proposed
o Timeline for completion of project
o Samples of previous work
o Three client references, as well as a client list
Application Procedures
All proposals must be received by 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Proposals may be submitted electronically to the following address: leanne@sbnphiladelphia.org
Proposals submitted in writing (as well as hard copies of sample materials) should be addressed to:
Sustainable Business Network
Attn: Leanne Krueger-Braneky
1218 Chestnut Street, Suite 1008
Philadelphia, PA 19107
All proposals will be reviewed by a committee of staff and Board members.
Timeline
The timeline for choosing candidates is as follows:
Request for Proposals Issued: May 29, 2007
Proposals due to SBN: July 3, 2007
Decisions made: July 9, 2007
Projects begin: July – September 2007
Inquiries
Any inquires regarding this Request for Proposals should be submitted in writing via e-mail to leanne@sbnphiladelphia.org.
