Request for Proposals

Comprehensive Capacity Building Development Strategy for Duluth Art Institute

Project Overview

The Duluth Art Institute (DAI) seeks an experienced nonprofit capacity building expert or organization to develop and execute a comprehensive support network strategy, including stakeholder outreach, campaign development, and staff training, funded by a MN Humanities investment.

About the Duluth Art Institute

Since its beginning in 1907, the Duluth Art Institute (DAI) has been built on the belief that all art, but specifically visual art, should be accessible to everyone. We provide opportunities to experience the power of art and explore creativity through unique exhibitions, education, programs and events. The DAI’s mission is to enrich daily life with dynamic, innovative visual arts programming that upholds excellence and promotes inclusive participation in the arts.

We push the boundaries of cultural, historical and political dialogue by focusing art on absent narratives. This not only impacts artists who lack representation in the visual art world but also engages patrons who may for the first time see themselves reflected in the artwork or gain new perspectives through the artists' interpretations. Since 2017, the DAI has focused on decolonization, driving us to intentionally include artists and experiences that are typically underrepresented in the visual arts and society.

After half a century, the DAI has had to move out of its St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center (The Depot) location to a new space. In our new location, the DAI added new galleries and administrative space but lost some of the previous benefits such as low-cost rent, the powerful draw of multiple cultural organizations under one roof, and eligibility to Depot Foundation program grants. Due to rising costs, the DAI must expand its fundraising portfolio.

Scope of Work: Capacity Building for a New Future

This RFP is being issued to consultants with experience in strategic planning, training, outreach and implementation for creating a comprehensive approach to building sustainable support networks. Specifically, the DAI seeks assistance to shape and execute a robust development and capacity building strategy, beyond the conventional understanding of fundraising. The DAI seeks expertise in developing a capital campaign that raises money for human capacity, building preservation, upgrades, and construction.

The scope of work and deliverables includes:

• Design a 1-5 year organizational strategic plan
  
• Develop a capital campaign that raises $5 million dollars to stabilize buildings that house DAI programs and build human capacity through several modalities of financial investment:
• Capital Campaign to prospect high level major donors who can pledge large sums of money over time.
• Sustainer Campaign which develops current and long time donors to commit to annual giving for five years.
• Legacy Campaign which provides opportunities for donors to include the DAI as a beneficiary in their will, stock disbursements, or other charitable giving vehicles.
• Programmatic Corporate Sponsorship Campaign which seeks local businesses to support events and programs based on the nature of the businesses interest.
• Conducting fundraising and stakeholder outreach including board members, foundations, donors and other identified resources.
  
• Develop and assist with implementing campaign strategies (development).
  
• Train staff and board members to write and report on grants.
  

Applicants should submit a proposal to include bulleted items:

Scoring criteria

30%

• Interest in working with the DAI.

20%

• Approach to strategic development planning.

20%

• An outline or summary of the overall project plan that demonstrates a clear understanding of the work to be performed.
• Summary of the plan to engage stakeholders.
• Phases and/or timeline details.
• Time and cost projections.

10%

• Implementation and evaluation plan outline.

20%

• Qualifications of all who will be involved in the with the project.
  
• List of clients previously worked with and/or description of previous projects.
  
• Other information relevant to the project.
  

Ownership and Confidentiality

All intellectual property will become the property of DAI. All data remains the sole property of DAI. The consultant shall agree to keep information related to this process in strict confidence, including but not limited to, the terms of the contract and any confidential business information or proprietary information that has been gather on this project.

Budget Amount must not exceed $46,493.00

This project is funded by a grant through the Minnesota Humanities Center through the MN Legacy Fund.

Timeline

• 9/6/24- Deadline for consultants to respond to RFP
  
• 9/13/24 - Consultants to be notified if selected for an interview
  
• Week of 9/13/204– Consultant interviews
  
• 9/20/24 - Selection/Notification of award
  
• 12/9/24- Strategic Plan to be completed (we are currently working with community)
  
• Specific End to be determined (2025)
  

Questions and Submissions

All questions and submissions should be sent to Executive Director Christina Woods cwoods@duluthartinstitute.org.
SUBJECT LINE: Capacity Building RFP-<Org Name>

Updates and answers to questions will be posted on this webpage.

BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, Women, and Veteran owned firms are strongly encouraged to submit proposals.

Posted 8/9/2024

Download a PDF of this RFP here