Enhanced Learning Community Development

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Project Name: Enhanced Learning Community Development

Deadline for Submission: August 15th 2025

1. Introduction

A Way Home Canada (AWHC) is seeking the services of a qualified consultant to support the development of an enhanced National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness.

2. Background

About A Way Home Canada (AWHC)

AWHC is a national coalition reimagining solution to youth homelessness. Our work spans policy, planning, and practice and supports a proactive, prevention-focused approach. We collaborate with all levels of government, community organizations, service providers, and philanthropy, backed by evidence-driven strategies and a commitment to rights-based interventions.

The National Learning Community on Homelessness (LC)

The National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness is a pan-Canadian network composed of leading youth-serving organizations committed to collaborative learning and action. This pan-Canadian “community of practice” is dedicated to shortening the amount of time any young person is mired in an emergency situation. These passionate practitioners are fostering shifts in their local policies and practices in order to achieve this goal. The Learning Community also works closely with A Way Home Canada to ensure that our policy and planning work is both informed by what’s happening “on the ground” in communities, as well as guided by the voices of people with lived experience of youth homelessness.

Formed in 2006 through the National Initiatives Program of Eva’s Initiatives (Toronto), it is the only network of its kind focused on youth homelessness in Canada. Today there are 29 member organizations from across Canada.

https://awayhome.ca/about-a-way-home-canada/coalition-members/

3. Project Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for creating a comprehensive plan to enhance the Learning Community. The plan must include:

• Executive Summary
• Revised scope and purpose of the Learning Community
• Revised and updated Learning Community Theory of Change
• Revised Membership Manual including:

o Roles and responsibilities o Expectations o Benefits o Time commitments

• Financial considerations outlined
• Evaluation plan and materials to assess the effectiveness of the Learning

Community and to solicit regular feedback from members
• Action plan with next steps for implementation

The consultant will also address the following guiding questions:

• Is the original purpose of the membership group still relevant?
• Does this group fulfill a unique need not met by other organizations?
• How has the context changed, or environment changed?
• What AWH needs can the LC help to meet? What needs of the LC members can

AWH help to meet?
• What membership criteria should be in place?

4. PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

Applicants must submit a written proposal including the following sections:

A. Proposal Sections

Section 1: Description of applicant’s understanding of the scope and purpose of the project

Section 2: Description of applicant’s previous experience completing projects of a similar scope and nature (a minimum of three examples that identify the activities carried out and the impact of the project)

Section 3: Timeline including milestones and deliverables

Section 4: Listing of project team members

B. Budget Breakdown:

In compliance with our procurement policies, the budget for this project is $30,000. In addition to the components listed above, applicants are required to provide a detailed budget that is structured in the following way: Breakdown of hours and cost for each aspect of the project:

The hourly rate of each project team member

The hours required to complete each aspect of the project A list of any ancillary costs associated with the project (cannot exceed 10% of the total budget)

C. Submission Process

Applicants are required to email their completed proposal, including the specified sections listed above, in PDF format to Victoria Morgan by Friday August 15th at 5pm EST. Please include: “RFP Response: Business Plan” in the subject line. D. Questions

Applicants can submit questions to Victoria Morgan and expect a response within one

business day.

We look forward to receiving your proposal and partnering on this important work to advance youth homelessness prevention and systems transformation across Canada.

mailto:vmorgan@awayhome.ca?subject=RFP%20Enquiry mailto:vmorgan@awayhome.ca

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Background
• About A Way Home Canada (AWHC)
• 3. Project Scope of Work