Request for Proposals
Sherbourne Health
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Strategic Planning Consultant Services
RFP Issue Date
July 22, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline
August 14, 2026
Contact Person
Jeffrey Reinhart, Director, Strategic Initiatives
jreinhart@sherbourne.on.ca
Anticipated Project Timeline
November 2026 - April 2027
Organizational Context
Sherbourne Health provides health services and community programs for 2SLGBTQ+ people, people experiencing homelessness and newcomers to Canada. Through an integrated health services model, our clients can access primary care, mental health services, dietitians, harm reduction supplies and supports, respite care and community programs and capacity building initiatives, enabling people from diverse communities to achieve wellness.
Sherbourne's current strategic plan concludes in 2026. We are seeking proposals from qualified consultants to facilitate the development of our next multi-year strategic plan.
Sherbourne Health serves thousands of clients annually through integrated, interdisciplinary services and community partnerships. The organization operates within a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape characterized by:
- Ongoing health system transformation
- Increasing complexity in client needs
- Workforce recruitment and retention challenges
- Growing demand for integrated and accessible care
- Expansion of equity-focused and culturally responsive services
- Changing funding and accountability requirements
- Opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and community leadership
As we look ahead, Sherbourne seeks a strategic plan that is practical, measurable, and reflective of the diverse voices of our communities, staff, leadership, volunteers, partners, and Board of Directors.
Project Objectives
The successful consultant will support Sherbourne Health to:
- Develop a clear and compelling strategic direction for the next 3-5 years.
- Assess internal and external trends that may impact the organization.
- Identify strategic priorities, goals, and areas of focus.
- Engage meaningfully with key stakeholders throughout the planning process.
- Ensure an equity-centered, anti-oppressive, and inclusive planning approach.
- Align strategic priorities with Sherbourne's mission, vision, values, and commitments to health equity.
- Create a practical implementation and measurement framework.
- Support Board and leadership discussions to build alignment and ownership of the final plan.
Scope of Work
Project Planning
- Develop a detailed project work plan and timeline.
- Establish project governance and communication processes.
- Work collaboratively with Sherbourne's strategic planning committee.
Environmental Scan and Assessment
- Review relevant organizational documents, plans, reports, and performance data.
- Conduct an external environmental scan including emerging trends, opportunities, risks, and sector considerations.
- Identify implications for Sherbourne's future strategic direction.
Stakeholder Engagement
Design and facilitate a comprehensive engagement process that include:
- Board of Directors
- Senior Leadership Team
- Staff across all levels and programs
- Clients and community members
- Community partners
- Funders and system partners
Engagement methods may include:
- Interviews
- Focus groups
- Workshops
- Surveys
- Community engagement sessions
- Other innovative engagement approaches
The consultant will be expected to demonstrate experience engaging equity-deserving populations in accessible and culturally responsive ways.
Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Facilitate strategic planning sessions with the strategic planning committee.
- Support the development of strategic priorities and goals.
- Assist in identifying success measures and key performance indicators.
Strategic Plan Development
Prepare:
- Strategic planning findings summary
- Draft strategic plan
- Final strategic plan
- Implementation roadmap
- Measurement and evaluation framework
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Requirements
Sherbourne Health is committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and reconciliation.
The successful consultant will demonstrate:
- Experience leading equity-centred strategic planning processes.
- Understanding of anti-oppressive engagement methodologies.
- Experience working with diverse communities and equity-deserving populations.
- Ability to design accessible and inclusive engagement approaches.
- Knowledge of health care, community health, and social service sectors.
Deliverables
At a minimum, the consultant will provide:
- Project charter and work plan
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Environmental scan summary
- Stakeholder consultation findings report
- Strategic priorities framework
- Draft strategic plan
- Final strategic plan
- Implementation roadmap
- Performance measurement framework
- Presentation of findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors
Proposal Requirements
Organization Information
- Firm overview
- Primary contact information
- Years in operation
Relevant Experience
- Descriptions of similar projects completed, particularly within community health centres, healthcare organizations, non-profit organizations, social services organizations, and equity-focused organizations.
- At least three relevant project examples.
References
- Three references from comparable projects.
Budget
- Total project cost
- Detailed breakdown of fees
- Estimated expenses
- Optional services, if applicable
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
Criteria
Weight
Understanding of project requirements
15%
Strategic planning methodology
25%
Equity-centred engagement approach
20%
Relevant experience and qualifications
20%
Budget and value
10%
Sherbourne reserves the right to interview shortlisted proponents as part of the evaluation process.
Terms and Conditions
Sherbourne Health reserves the right to:
- Accept or reject any or all proposals.
- Cancel or modify the RFP process at any time.
- Request additional information from proponents.
- Negotiate with the preferred proponent.
- Not select any proponent if proposals do not meet organizational requirements.
Submission of the proposal does not create any contractual obligation on the part of Sherbourne Health.
Required career level
- Experienced (Non Manager)