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Fundraising Consultant- Education Systems Change and Arts Education (RFP)

Strategic Planning Consultant (RFP)

Building for the Arts

Request for Proposals (RFP)
Fundraising Consultant – Education Systems Change and Arts Education

Issued by: Building for the Arts (bfany.org)
Proposal Due Date: 8/18/25
Contact: Nicole Gardner, Director of Advancement: ngardner@bfany.org

Introduction:
Building for the Arts (BFA) is seeking a fundraising consultant with expertise in winning major foundation support for education systems change and K-12 arts education. Our goal is to expand the reach of our program, Music and the Brain (MATB), which builds musicianship as a learning tool during the school day, supporting music teachers, and impacting every student at our partner schools.

Founded in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC in 1976 to create a vibrant performing arts hub for the neighborhood, Building for the Arts has since grown toward a national approach to cultural access, offering multiple pipelines toward deepened artistic engagement. Through its three signature programs—Theatre Row, The American Playwriting Foundation, and the K-12 music education program Music and the Brain—the organization vitalizes artistic communities and their audiences. Bfany.org

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a small, dynamic team, leveraging our successes, and driving meaningful growth for a transformative and highly scalable program.

Scope of Work:

The selected consultant will be expected to:

1. Leverage Existing Success:
   • Highlight our successful program expansion in one of our geographic service areas, primarily funded by a major multi-year grant, as a model for how large-scale grants enable MATB to effect transformative change in entire school districts or regions.
   • Highlight the results of our external program evaluation and research findings prepared by a team from the Center for Arts Education Research at Columbia University Teacher’s College.
2. Develop a Targeted Outreach Strategy:
   • Building and expanding on our existing prospect research, help us develop and implement a strategy to identify, prioritize, and connect with local and national funders that can offer significant support for MATB, including multiple rounds of outreach and follow-up, with tailored approaches for:
     • Prospects (incl. foundations, individuals, and corporate supporters) focused on education system change.
     • Prospects aligned with venture philanthropy.
     • Large, influential foundations focused on K-12 education funding.
     • Community Foundations managing private foundations and donor-advised funds in regions where we work or intend to expand.
   • Share MATB’s research and expansion results with key stakeholders at large foundations (including community foundations managing donor-advised funds) to build relationships, even where immediate funding opportunities may not be available.
3. Create Updated, Tailored Versions of our Standard Program Proposal:
   • Building on our existing proposals and reports, draft a proposal for MATB expansion that positions the program as a highly scalable catalyst for systemic change, and advise on adjustments for different audiences, such as venture philanthropists.
4. Leave us with Next Steps and Recommendations for Moving Forward:
   • Provide, in writing, next steps and ideas for continuing the work that you helped us begin during your consultancy.

Proposal Requirements:

Interested consultants should submit a proposal that includes:

• A brief overview of your qualifications and relevant experience in fundraising for education systems change and arts education.
• Examples of previous work or success stories related to similar initiatives.
• A proposed approach and timeline for achieving the goals outlined in the scope of work.
• A cost estimate or fee structure.
• Contact information for at least two professional references.
• A client list.
• A writing sample.

Selection Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Demonstrated expertise and relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the education funding landscape.
• Creativity and feasibility of the proposed approach.
• Understanding MATB’s goals and BFA’s mission.
• Competitive and transparent fee structure.

Fee Structure:

Building for the Arts anticipates an approximately four-month engagement. The proposed fee structure should reflect this timeframe, as well as experience and the scope of deliverables, and fall within our budget of $25,000 for this contract. The fee structure should reflect all aspects of the project, including strategic guidance on approach and prospects, tailored positioning, outreach planning, creation of outreach materials, and recommendations for next steps to continue the work. We welcome pricing proposals in the form of flat project fees or milestone-based models tied to specific deliverables, and we encourage clarity around expectations and outcomes.

Submission Instructions:

Please email your proposal to Nicole Gardner at ngardner@bfany.org no later than 8/18/25. For any questions or clarifications, contact Nicole Gardner, Director of Advancement, at ngardner@bfany.org.

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Building for the Arts

Request for Proposals (RFP)
Strategic Planning Consultant

Introduction

Building for the Arts is soliciting proposals from experienced consultants or firms to lead a comprehensive Strategic Planning Process. This process will help clarify our mission, refine our strategic priorities, integrate financial modeling and fundraising strategies to support long-term stability, and develop other actionable goals for the next 3–5 years. BFA is especially interested in (1) assessing the overall effectiveness of its wide-ranging programs both separately and collectively, and (2) articulating a strong unifying vision for the organization towards the creation of strong fundraising and communications tools.

Organizational Background

Building for the Arts (BFA) is a multifaceted nonprofit organization based in New York City dedicated to expanding access to the performing arts. Our work is activated through our three signature programs:

• Theatre Row offers invaluable support to the theatrical ecosystem by allowing a multiplicity of companies and artists access to subsidized space in the heart of New York’s Theater District.
• Music and the Brain, a school-day general music method using music literacy as a cognitive and character-building tool for young people, has evolved from a local to national program.
• The American Playwriting Foundation devotes its resources to identifying and nurturing the next generation of theatermakers poised to reveal and reflect to us the truths of our world, primarily through the renowned Relentless Awards made in honor of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Adam Schlesinger.

Since its founding in 1976, BFA (formerly 42nd Street Development Corp) has been a leader in creative placemaking, initially driven by a vision to revitalize the once-neglected west end of 42nd Street. At a time when the area was dominated by adult entertainment venues, BFA helped anchor its transformation into a vibrant cultural district and nonprofit hub. Our development of theatre row—with its theaters, restaurants, and residences—was a catalyst for this remarkable renewal.

Website: www.bfany.org

Project Overview

The selected consultant will guide BFA through a strategic planning process that includes:

• Assessment of current programs, operations, finances, and organizational culture
• Engaging stakeholders (board, staff, artists, funders, and community partners)
• Facilitating visioning and strategic goal workshops
• Developing a robust SWOT analysis or similar analytical framework
• Producing a 3–5 year written strategic plan with actionable goals, timelines, and recommendations

The project is anticipated to run from October 2025 to June 2026. A project kickoff is expected on or about October 1, 2025 with final deliverables due on or about June 15, 2026.

PROJECT Scope

• Discovery & Assessment
  • Review relevant documents (previous plans, financials, evaluations, program metrics)
  • Conduct interviews and/or focus groups with staff, board members, artists, educators, donors, and strategic partners
• Data Collection & Analysis
  • Facilitate SWOT analysis
  • Benchmark peer arts nonprofits and creative placemaking organizations
• Visioning & Strategic Framework
  • Lead planning meetings/retreats and workshops to refine (and update as necessary) BFA’s mission, vision, values, and strategic pillars
  • Define key objectives, measurable outcomes, and success metrics
• Strategic Plan Development
  • Draft the strategic plan (3–5 year horizon) including detailed implementation roadmaps, responsible parties, KPI dashboards, and timeline
  • Guidance on resource development and revenue diversification strategies

Proposal Requirements

Please submit the following elements in your proposal:

1. Cover Letter
2. Consultant Profile
   • Consultant/Team bios and qualifications, emphasizing experience with nonprofit arts organizations
3. Relevant Experience
   • Case studies or examples of similar strategic planning engagements
4. Plan for Scope of Work
   • Approach and strategies for stakeholder engagement
   • Detailed methodology with key milestones and deliverables
   • Timeline: a clear project schedule from kickoff to final deliverable
5. Budget
   • Itemized cost proposal (consultant fees, estimated hours, travel, materials)
6. References
   • At least two client references with contact info
   • Representative client list

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on:

• Demonstrated experience in arts or creative placemaking environments
• Strength and clarity of approach
• Stakeholder engagement and inclusive methodology
• Realistic timelines and budget transparency
• References and proven track record

Project Timeline (subject to change)

Milestone	Date
RFP Issued	August 1, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline	August 29
Shortlist & Interviews	week of September 7
Consultant Notification	September 15
Project Kickoff	October1
Strategic Plan Delivery	June 15, 2026

Budget

BFA has allocated a budget of $70,000 for this engagement, inclusive of all fees and expenses. Applicants should offer clear justification and value for services. Proposals exceeding the budget ceiling will be accepted only with demonstrable value and justification.

Submission Instructions

Submit a single PDF via email to: jobs@bfany.org
Subject line: “Strategic Planning RFP Response – [Consultant/Firm Name]”
Submission Deadline: August 29

We look forward to partnering with a dynamic consultant or consulting team to guide Building for the Arts’ next chapter of impact, innovation, community engagement, and expansion of access to the performing arts.