REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

March 2022
Priority Deadline: 5 p.m. CT on Friday, April 7, 2023, open until contract is awarded.
Review begins: Monday, April 10, 2023

Contact:
Joe Munnich, Managing Director
Generation Next
404 S. 8^th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Office: 612-343-6056
Cell: 612-203-7770
joe@gennextmsp.org

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Education Partnerships Coalition is a statewide collaborative of nine education-based collective impact initiatives across Minnesota that uses data-driven strategies to close Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation opportunity gaps. Members include Austin Aspires, Cradle 2 Career, Generation Next, Northfield Promise, Northside Achievement Zone, Children First/Park Partnership for Success, RiseUp Red Wing, Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood, and United Way of Central Minnesota.  What is unique about EPC is that it is the first local collaborative in the nation that brings together two national education-based collective impact networks (Promise Neighborhoods and StriveTogether) to shape public policy at the state level and establish a dedicated funding stream toward growing education-based collective impact efforts across the state.

Accordingly, we have initiated an RFP process to identify a qualified vendor to help us:

1. Project Management

• • Draft and implement a project management plan
  • Facilitate Meetings – schedule monthly or bi-monthly as requested by EPC partners; create and share agendas timely and with input from EPC partners; take and share/file (in Google Drive) meeting notes; follow up with members regarding action commitments between meetings.
  • Coordinate key activities, including annual in-person retreats, and facilitate the creation of shared external communications materials.
  • Establish and communicate expectations; facilitate communication between meetings.
  • Operationalize the strategic plan.

2. Create a common language that clearly articulates values, principles, and definitions that will guide EPC’s work internally and externally.
3. Create a continuous learning culture among statewide partners.

WHO MAY RESPOND

EPC seeks a diversity of vendors, centering businesses owned by Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). In addition, we seek partners who have deep respect for and demonstrated expertise in:

• Coalition Building
• Project Management
• The diverse and complex communities we represent and serve;
• Experience working with a diverse team with different learning styles; and life experiences

ABOUT THE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS COALITION.

The Education Partnerships Coalition members are Austin Aspires, Cradle 2 Career (Rochester), Every Hand Joined (Red Wing), Generation Next (Twin Cities), Northfield Promise, Northside Achievement Zone (Minneapolis), Children First/Park Partnership for Success (St. Louis Park), United Way of Central Minnesota (St. Cloud area), and Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood. EPC engages more than 120,000 youth and their families across Minnesota.    EPC members take a birth-to-career approach to eliminating Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation opportunity gaps. All Coalition members are locally-controlled, data-driven public-private partnerships. This collective impact focus brings communities together to enact solutions that improve outcomes for children and families. Additionally, all EPC members are affiliated with the Promise Neighborhood Institute or StriveTogether, national collective impact networks.  Founded in 2015, the Education Partnerships Coalition unites Minnesota’s cradle-to-career community initiatives to ensure all children and youth succeed.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

As a nimble coalition, we envision meeting online via Zoom or in person as required. Seeking a one-year contract with the option to renew. The estimated time is approximately 10-hours weekly.

Organization Description

1. Describe the general nature of your work and how the diversity of your team creates greater value, insights, and viewpoints in the work you produce for your clients.

2. Provide examples of similar work, along with contact information for organizations you have served.

3. Describe the qualifications and experience of staff who will be assigned to this project. Provide additional information on the proposed project manager/director, including their CV.

Statement of Proposed Work

1. Work plan: Propose how you would phase this project, and propose a timeline where applicable.
2. Budget and deliverables: Provide a detailed budget, and a description of the specific deliverables that will be produced

Deliverables:

1. Partner with EPC leads, facilitate meetings and shared communication with external audiences
2. Collaboratively designed and implemented strategic plan
3. Provide resources and tools to measure our progress to continuously improve our effectiveness as a coalition of partners

PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA AND TIMELINE FOR THIS RFP

Responses will be evaluated along several dimensions:

• Vendor qualifications;
• Understanding, expertise and practice of project management
• Work plan and methodology;
• Fees; and
• References.

Finalists will be asked to meet by Zoom, delivering a brief 5-minute presentation beginning April 10^th, 2023.  We intend to award a contract by the end of April.

PROCESS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS

• Closing date. Proposals will be reviewed starting Monday, April 10^th until contract is awarded.
• Inquiries. Please direct all questions regarding this RFP to Joe Munnich (contact at top of RFP) and Amy Trombley ATrombley@unitedwayhelps.org.
• Conditions of the proposals. All costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFP, including costs associated with zoom teleconference interviews, are the sole responsibility of the bidder and will not be reimbursed by the Education Partnerships Coalition
• Submission instructions. Proposals must be a single PDF document, no longer than three pages, and the file name must include your organization’s name. Email to Joe@gennextmsp.org

MN Education Partnerships Coalition (EPC)
Austin Aspires – Austin
Cradle 2 Career – Rochester
Generation Next – Twin Cities
Northfield Promise – Northfield
Northside Achievement Zone – Minneapolis
Children First/Park Partnership for Success – St. Louis Park
RiseUp Red Wing – Red Wing
Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood – Saint Paul
United Way of Central Minnesota – Saint Cloud Area

SEEKING QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

POSITION: Manager of Public Space Engagement
SALARY RANGE: $50-60,000 (exempt, salaried position), effective immediately, plus potential annual bonus

REPORT TO: Lisa Middag, Director of Public Space Engagement
DEADLINE: Ongoing; interviews will begin in January 2023 until the position is filled

THIS POSITION COULD BE FOR YOU IF…

• You love the people and energy of downtown Minneapolis and want to make a real difference in how others experience it.
• You enjoy organizing events and activities for an incredibly diverse range of people of all ages, from all walks of life.
• You want to be an integral part of managing a community space downtown that serves this population.
• You value making connections with partners and finding opportunities to collaborate.
• You like to work with volunteers and value their contributions to community.
• You believe in the value of people connecting across difference to share downtown experiences.
• You are willing to engage authentically in organizational efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable downtown.
• You are interested in supporting downtown’s recovery.
• You want to work with an organization that believes in boldly trying things and adjusting based on what we learn.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for managing a wide range of placemaking and activation that happens primarily in outdoor public spaces downtown. This work is centered in our organizational goals around supporting an inclusive downtown and addressing public space challenges in innovative ways to both develop new and adapt and implement existing public space engagement programs, including, but not limited to:

• Nicollet Mall Farmers + Makers Market—manage all aspects of market planning and deployment in collaboration with leadership, including determination of appropriate partners, program, event timing and cadence, etc.
• Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival—manage all aspects of this annual signature event, which takes place on the second weekend of August, including working closely with the Director of Public Space Engagement to determine and set the festival program.
• The Alley Project—support the program development and implementation for this new downtown public space in a converted alleyway.
• Warehouse District Live—support the program development and implementation of this new approach to engagement and public safety in our entertainment district, which takes place approximately monthly throughout 2023.

Program Planning and Implementation—This position manages the ideation, program development, and implementation (including program layout, setup, servicing, and tear down) of public space engagement activities throughout downtown. This position will:

• Apply for all necessary permits (food, sound, block events, etc.) and follow all required authorization processes. Attend permitting meetings, track requests, and relay information to relevant organizational staff.
• Determine and order needed supplies and equipment for public space engagement efforts, and maintain an equipment inventory, including conditions, repair and replacement needs.
• Supervise temporary staff/interns, as needed to support the program.
• Refine and develop strategies for evaluating program outcomes. Identify issues as they arise, and fine tune public space engagement efforts as needed in consultation with Director of Public Space Engagement, operations, livability, safety and other relevant staff.

Collaboration and Partnership—This position requires deep collaboration with both internal and external partners to develop and refine our programs, including:

• Work with organizational team, paid consultants/contractors, and a wide array of project partners and downtown stakeholders, to develop new and refine existing public space programs to ensure positive outcomes.
• Develop strategic partnerships with downtown businesses, employers, retailers, restaurants and bars, arts and sports venue presenters, hotels, educational institutions, and residences to inform and adapt public space programs for these audiences.
• Organize program planning meetings with both internal and external teams. Attend partner and stakeholder events/meetings. Advise organizational staff on opportunities for alignment and coordination, including operations, livability, safety and other programs.
• Respond to external public space requests (i.e., sampling, engagement, walk, parades, etc.), and follow up in consultation with Director of Public Space Engagement and other organizational staff (operations, events, communications, etc.) as needed.
• Advise Manager of Community Engagement (who is leading the effort) on an organization- wide downtown volunteer program. Advise on volunteer responsibilities and provide necessary training and guidance.
• Ensure all public space engagement programs are properly communicated internally to our operations and communications/marketing teams, including preparing content and collecting and sharing information for promoting activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High level of understanding of public space engagement challenges, including strategies and tactics, techniques for problematic spaces, design solutions, and the values and interests of downtown populations.
• Advanced expertise in interacting inclusively with diverse populations and communities.
• Familiarity with de-escalation and harm reduction strategies (training will be provided).
• Minimum two-year college degree or comparable experience in a related field (i.e., urban studies, community development, community engagement, community health, sociology, cultural studies, anthropology, marketing, business, fine or liberal arts, design, landscape design, architecture, media, etc.) or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to safely move, lift and assemble up to 50 lbs. of gear, signage, recreational and other equipment.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Superb customer service, human relations, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong understanding and practice of organizational diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Ability to genuinely contribute to team efforts and respond respectfully to leadership guidance.
• Strong time and task management and project management skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Professional level competency in MS Office, SharePoint, Teams, scheduling programs, etc.

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION
The DID is a business funded non-profit that leads and collaborates to make downtown safer, cleaner and greener. The mission of DID is to preserve and enhance a vital and attractive downtown Minneapolis for the people who invest in, work, shop, visit and live here. Our flagship operational program is the Downtown Ambassador program—those people who wear the dark blue and tennis ball yellow uniforms and provide outstanding customer service on the streets of downtown. We convene people across sectors and jurisdictions to work on downtown issues, develop innovative solutions to complex public space challenges.

EOE/NON-DISCRIMINATION
DID and mdc are equal employment opportunity employers and do not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital, family, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws. The DID and mdc are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified
individuals without regard to protected status and encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply for open positions.

EMPLOYER OF RECORD
DID’s administrative services (offices spaces, systems, staff, etc.) are provided to DID via a services agreement with the mpls downtown council (the “mdc”). This position will be an employee of the mdc serving to implement the DID. The mdc shares the same primary mission for downtown Minneapolis.

TO APPLY
Please send a letter of interest and your CV/resume to hr@mplsdowntown.com.