Grow Pittsburgh Strategic Plan Request for Proposals

Strategic Plan Request for Proposals

Release Date July 28 2025

Purpose

Grow Pittsburgh is seeking proposals from experienced strategic planning consultants to facilitate a collaborative data-informed process that results in a clear actionablethree-year strategic plan for . This plan should build on the outcomes of our plan and includebenchmarking strategic programmatic outcomesopportunities for growth and expansion anddirect input from community and institutional stakeholders. This planning process must be people-centered and
inclusive rooted in principles of equity diversity and justice. The consultant will be expected to create space for meaningful dialogue and ensure that community voicesparticularly those historically underrepresentedare heard and reflected in the final plan.

Organizational Background

Mission
We teach people how to grow food and we promote the benefits gardens bring to our neighborhoods.

Vision
We envision the day when everyone in our city and region grows and eats fresh local and healthy food.

Core Values

Community Participation Prioritizing neighborhood voices to guide programs

Environmental Responsibility Using teaching and advocating for restorative practices

Equity Working alongside communities to build access and power for all

Fiscal Integrity Making responsible and effective use of available assets

Food Sovereignty Supporting everyones right to access produce and distribute healthy and culturally appropriate food

Resourcefulness Creating hands-on opportunities to build individual and community self-sufficiency

Social Justice Understanding systems of privilege oppression and racism and using this knowledge to drive our work

Transparency Being accountable through clear direct and inclusive communication

Grow Pittsburgh founded in 2005 is a regional leader in urban agriculture food access and experiential education. Following the successful implementation of strategic plans in and the organization is preparing for its next phase of development impact and growth.

Project Need

The strategic plan will help Grow Pittsburgh:

• Build on the momentum and lessons learned from the plan
• Define measurablestrategic programmatic outcomesfor all major departments
• Identifyopportunities for programmatic growth and expansion where appropriate
• Usebenchmarkingto assess positioning in relation to peer organizations and broader sector trends
• Gather meaningful input throughfocus groups with stakeholders including program participants funders program partners and public officials
• Develop a focused roadmap for long-term sustainability equity and community relevance

Scope of Services

The selected consultant will lead a participatory planning process that includes (but not limited to):

• Design and manage the full strategic planning process from October 2025 to March 2026 using apeople-centered justice-informed framework
• Reviewing and assessing implementation of the strategic plan
• Designing and facilitating stakeholder engagement including:

Facilitate inclusive internal and external engagement including:

• Staff and board interviews
• 1 Staff Retreat in October 2025
• 1 Board Meeting in 2025
• At least four stakeholder focus groupsrepresenting a diversity of perspectives (program participants funders partners public officials)
• Designing and leading aBoard/Staff strategic planning retreat in January 2026
• Conductingbenchmarkingagainst peer organizations and national standards
• Developing strategic goals andprogrammatic outcomeswith performance indicators
• Identifying opportunities for innovation scaling and programmatic expansion
• Assessing the organizations current and future capacity needs
• Providing ongoing updates and check-ins with Grow Pittsburghs Strategic Planning Committee
• Delivering a final strategic plan byMarch 15 2026

Consultant Expectations

The selected consultant will:

• Manage the planning process from October 2025 through March 2026
• Apply an inclusive equity-centered approach to all engagements
• Ensure thatdiversity equity justice and belongingare centered in the review of the mission core values and strategic priorities
• Facilitate at least four structured focus groups as described above
• Present draft findings and facilitate refinement of recommendations
• Integrate benchmarking data and stakeholder input into final deliverables
• Provide tools for tracking implementation and progress

Deliverables

• A finalized board-approvedStrategic Plan for including:
  • Strategic priorities and goals
  • Departmental and organizationalprogrammatic outcomes and metrics with tracking
  • Opportunities forprogrammatic growth and expansion
  • Benchmarking findings and comparative analysis
  • Stakeholder focus group themes and recommendations
  • Implementation timeline with key roles and responsibilities
• Stakeholder engagement summary report
• Presentation materials suitable for board staff and public audiences

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on:

• Experience leading strategic planning for nonprofits of comparable size and mission
• Proven experience with equity centered organizations
• Ability to integrate benchmarking and programmatic evaluation
• Skill in designing and facilitating inclusive focus group engagement
• Experience working in food systems education community development or nonprofit leadership (preferred)
• Strength and qualifications of the consultant team
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach timeline and budget

Proposal Requirements

Submit a complete proposal that includes:

• Executive Summary
• Methodology and stakeholder engagement strategy
• Timeline and work plan
• Budget breakdown
• Consultant bios and team qualifications
• Two client references with descriptions of similar engagements

Proposal Due Date: August 25 2025

Timeline

July 28 2025

RFP Released

August 25 2025

Proposals Due

Week of September 1

Finalist Interviews

September 12 2025

Consultant Selected

October 1 2025

Engagement Begins

OctoberDecember 2025

Stakeholder Focus Groups

October 2025

Staff Strategic Planning Retreat

December 2025

JanuaryFebruary 2026

Grow Pittsburgh Board of Directors Meeting

Draft Plan Development & Feedback

January 2026

March 15 2026

Grow Pittsburgh Board/Staff Retreat

Final Strategic Plan Delivered

Contact Information

For further information regarding the proposal please contact Denele Hughson Executive Director at or 412.362.4769 x204. Please follow this link to submit a proposal. For more information about the organization please visit .