Strategic Planning Consultant

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Strategic Planning Consultant

1. Organization Overview

About WomanACT: WomanACT has been providing coordination, planning, and community mobilization across Canada since 1991. Today, we are a charitable organization with a membership of organizations and individuals working to end violence against women through system change.

Our Mission: WomanACT advocates for a world where all women and gender diverse people live free from violence and have economic security.

Our Approach: WomanACT works collaboratively to eradicate gender-based violence through research, education, and advocacy. We are a planning and policy organization that drives system change through leadership, research, policy, education, and community mobilization.

Our Values:

• Feminist organization using an intersectional lens to challenge systems that reinforce inequities
• Support and learn from diverse voices, perspectives, and approaches
• Work across sectors and with communities to strengthen collective impact
• Value continuous learning and embrace bold, evidence-based solutions
• Value integrity and accountability to stakeholders and communities

Our Work Areas:

• Cross-sector coordination and leadership
• Community-based research
• Policy analysis and advocacy
• Education and training (community, corporate, and government partners)
• Workplace training and support for employers

2. Strategic Context

WomanACT is seeking proposals from experienced consultants or consulting firms to lead a comprehensive strategic planning process. This initiative will refresh our strategic direction, strengthen governance, refine objectives, and develop a clear roadmap for the next 4 years.

Current Strategic Focus: Our current strategic plan emphasizes strengthening long-term partnerships with cross-sector partners, including the private sector, and engaging women with lived experience across all areas of our work. The new strategic plan should build on these priorities while positioning WomanACT for emerging opportunities and challenges.

The process should be participatory, inclusive, trauma-informed, and grounded in research, community realities, and the lived experiences of survivors of gender-based violence.

3. Objectives

• Review and potentially refresh WomanACT's Mission, Vision, and Values
• Conduct a comprehensive environmental scan (internal & external) to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
• Engage key stakeholders, including the Board, staff, women with lived experience of violence, members, and community partners, to gather meaningful input
• Analyze the current landscape of gender-based violence prevention, policy, and services in Toronto and across Canada
• Identify strategic priorities and goals for the next 4 years aligned with WomanACT's mission and approach
• Develop an implementation plan with clear timelines, responsibilities, and success metrics
• Facilitate alignment across the Board, Membership and Staff, ensuring organizational buy-in and shared ownership
• Design mechanisms for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and periodic review
• Ensure integration of intersectional feminist lens and trauma-informed approaches throughout the planning process

4. Scope of Work

Phase 1: Discovery & Assessment

• Review of organizational documents (current strategic plan, annual reports, research publications, policy submissions)
• Interviews and/or surveys with Board members, Organizational members, staff, and key stakeholders
• External environmental analysis, including policy landscape, funding environment, and sector trends
• Review of best practices in gender-based violence prevention and system change approaches

Phase 2: Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation

• Design and facilitate Board and staff strategic planning workshops/retreats.
• Conduct focus groups or interviews with women with lived experience of violence (trauma-informed approach required)
• Engage with organizational members and community partners
• Ensure diverse voices are included, with particular attention to Indigenous, Black, racialized, immigrant, refugee, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and women with disabilities

Phase 3: Strategic Direction & Goal Setting

• Facilitate organizational visioning exercises
• Support identification and prioritization of strategic goals and objectives
• Develop strategic approaches aligned with WomanACT's integrated model of research, education, and advocacy
• Ensure alignment with organizational values and commitment to system change

Phase 4: Plan Development

• Draft comprehensive strategic plan document including mission/vision/values, strategic priorities, and detailed goals
• Create implementation roadmap with clear timelines, responsibilities, and resource requirements
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and success metrics aligned with organizational objectives
• Incorporate feedback from Board and staff on draft documents

Phase 5: Implementation & Monitoring Guidance

• Develop and, if applicable, integrate evaluative tools and dashboards for tracking progress against strategic priorities
• Create framework for periodic review cycles (quarterly, annual)
• Provide guidance on integrating strategic plan into operational planning and decision-making
• Offer recommendations for sustaining momentum and organizational learning

5. Deliverables

• Comprehensive Strategic Plan document (including mission/vision/values, environmental scan summary, strategic priorities, goals, and objectives)
• Implementation roadmap with timelines, responsibilities, and resource requirements
• Stakeholder engagement summary report documenting consultation process and key themes
• Evaluation and monitoring framework including KPIs and review cycles
• Executive summary document suitable for external stakeholders and funders
• Presentation of final plan to Board, Members and Staff
• Digital toolkit/dashboard templates for ongoing monitoring

6. Proposal Requirements

Proposals should be no more than 15 pages and include the following:

a) Background & Qualifications

• Overview of consultant(s) or firm, including relevant experience
• Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit strategic planning, particularly with organizations focused on gender equity, violence against women, or social justice
• Experience working with feminist, equity-seeking, and trauma-informed approaches
• Team composition and roles (if applicable)

b) Proposed Methodology & Work Plan

• Detailed approach to each phase of work
• Stakeholder engagement strategy, including approaches for engaging women with lived experience
• Description of facilitation methods and tools to be used
• Approach to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the process

c) Timeline & Milestones

• Proposed timeline with key milestones and deliverables
• Estimated time commitment required from WomanACT Board and staff

d) Budget & Fees

• Detailed budget breakdown by phase and activity
• Fee structure and payment schedule
• Any additional costs or expenses (travel, materials, etc.)

e) Examples & References

• At least 2-3 examples of similar strategic planning engagements with nonprofit organizations, including outcomes and impact
• At least 2 professional references with contact information

7. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Experience & Expertise (30%)

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit strategic planning
• Track record working with organizations focused on gender equity, violence against women, or social justice
• Understanding of systems change, policy advocacy, and community mobilization

Methodology & Approach (30%)

• Quality, appropriateness, and innovation of proposed methodology
• Comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy
• Strength of facilitation approaches and tools

Cultural Competency & Values Alignment (25%)

• Commitment to intersectional feminist, equity-focused, and trauma-informed practice
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities and honour lived experience
• Commitment to participatory and inclusive processes

Timeline & Feasibility (10%)

• Clarity and realism of the proposed timeline
• Ability to meet organizational needs and deadlines

Cost Effectiveness (5%)

• Value for investment within budget parameters
• Clear and transparent budget breakdown

8. Timeline

Milestone Date RFP Issued November 2026 Proposals Due January 2026 Interviews with Shortlisted Consultants February 2026 Contract Award March 2026 Strategic Planning Process Begins April 2026 Final Plan Delivered August 2026

9. Budget / Payment Range

Project Budget: CAD $10,000 - $15,000

This is a project-based fee for a complete strategic planning process over 3-5 months, including all phases of work and deliverables outlined in this RFP.

10. Submission Instructions

Deadline: January 15th, 2026, 5:00 PM EST

Submission Format: Please submit proposals electronically as a single PDF document (maximum 13 pages, excluding attachments)

Subject Line: “Strategic Plan RFP Proposal – (Consultant Name)

File naming convention: Consultant Name_StrategicPlan_RFP_2026.pdf

Contact: To submit your proposal, please use the following email: info@womanact.ca

11. About This Opportunity

WomanACT is at a pivotal moment in our organizational journey. As we approach our 35th year of operation, we are seeking a consultant partner who can help us build on our strong foundation while positioning us for the evolving landscape of gender-based violence prevention and systems change.

This strategic planning process represents an opportunity to:

• Deepen our impact through more intentional cross-sector partnerships, including expanded work with the private sector
• Strengthen our commitment to centering the voices and leadership of women with lived experience
• Enhance our integrated approach to research, education, and advocacy for maximum systems change
• Position WomanACT as a leading voice in the movement to end gender-based violence in Canada

We look forward to partnering with a consultant who shares our values and can bring fresh perspectives, proven methods, and a collaborative spirit to this important work.

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Thank you for your interest in working with WomanACT.