Request for Proposals - Strategic Planning

Introduction

The Society of Queer Momentum (Queer Momentum), a leading 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy organization - is seeking a consultant to develop a 5 year strategic plan and theory of change framework to guide our organization in the successful advancement of our mission and vision.

Queer Momentum is a national advocacy organization founded in May 2023 to support the nation-wide response to the rise of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate and legislative regression in Canada. We are a small and scrappy organization with a bold vision and big dreams. Since our inception, we have worked alongside advocates in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta to respond to anti-trans legislation in these jurisdictions. We are best known for our federal advocacy, inclusive of our historic Drag the Vote and Vote Rainbow Equality campaigns mobilized in the 2025 federal election.

As we approach our third anniversary, we are now ready to develop our first strategic plan, to set the stage for further growth, impact and success. 

Scope of Work:

The final deliverables are a Strategic Plan and a Theory of Change framework. The strategic plan will have a duration of five years, with the theory of change serving as a foundation to guide organizational decision-making and assess impact, while complementing the strategic plan. The strategic plan final product will include a short overview of the organization’s role, history and impact to do, a letter from the executive director and board chair, and 3-5 pillars of organizational priorities. The theory of change will synthesize what we do and capture the intended impact of our programming and advocacy efforts. 

Key activities included within this work are: 

• Participating in an intake meeting with Queer Momentum’s Executive Director and 1-2 representatives from the Board of Directors to establish the workplan and share key information
• Developing and disseminating a short survey for key partners and individuals to solicit guidance on the development of Queer Momentum’s inaugural strategic plan. 
• Developing related tools for and conducting 4-8 interviews with Queer Momentum’s key partners to further solicit feedback to guide the plan’s development.
• Hosting 1 session (virtual) with Queer Momentum’s staff team for their input on the strategic plan and theory of change. 
• Hosting 2 sessions (virtual or in-person depending on viability) with Queer Momentum’s board of directors. The first meeting will be aimed at soliciting preliminary reflections and priorities for the strategic plan. The second meeting shall be the presentation of the draft products for feedback. 
• Submission of a finalized strategic plan and theory of change by March 31st, 2026. 

Budget: Proposals shall be considered so long as the total cost, inclusive of relevant taxes, is under $10,000.00 CAD. 

Possible addition: If in scope and within the skill set of the selected consultant, we welcome the addition of an evaluation planning component to this piece of work, with additional budget (approximately $2,000) available if this is the case. Please identify if this is an area of work you would be interested in exploring further with us in your submission. We will discuss further with the selected consultant(s). 

Timeline: The deadline to submit a proposal is November 17th, 2025 at 11:59PM Eastern. The work is expected to begin in early December (with flexibility depending on schedules). The final deliverables (a finished strategic plan and theory of change framework) must be completed by March 31st, 2026. 

Proposal Submission 

Proposals may be submitted to [email protected]. Please include “Proposal Submission - Strategic Plan” in the subject line. Any inquiries related to this RFP may be sent to [email protected].

Technical Requirements - What to include in your proposal

Your proposal should include the following: 

1. A cover letter providing a brief overview of the individual and/or firm, including your name (individual and/or organization), email address and website (if applicable), showcasing relevant experience and your proposed approach to the development of a strategic plan and theory of change for Queer Momentum.
2. The resumes/CVs of the proposed consultant(s) outlining their experience in the development of a strategic plan and theory of change, as well as relevant work experience in the non-profit sector, and specifically 2SLGBTQIA+ non-profit sector.  
3. A minimum of two references who can speak to your experience in the development of a theory of change and strategic plan. We encourage both references to be individuals who can speak to your work within the past 3 years.
4. A budget and brief workplan based on the initial scope of work, outlining anticipated costs and key activities. For the budget, core costs are anticipated to be human-resources / staffing related, but we welcome the inclusion of graphic design costs at your discretion. Other costs (such as honoraria for interviewees or use of digital platforms like Zoom) will be covered by Queer Momentum. 

Proposal Evaluation

All proposals received will be reviewed by the Queer Momentum staff to ensure they meet the technical requirements outlined above. Those shortlisted for further consideration will be shared to the board of directors who, alongside the executive director, will make a final decision. The board of directors and executive director will consider the following criteria in making their decision: 

1. Demonstration of relevant expertise in strategic plan and theory of change development.
2. Demonstration of commitment to anti-oppression, equity, diversity and inclusion.
3. Demonstration of understanding and familiarity within the social movement and political advocacy space, with strong preference for candidates with past work experience in 2SLGBTQIA+ non-profit or community-based organizations.