CSNPEI Request for Proposals (RFP): Strategic Planning Consultant

Organizational Background

The Community Sector Network of Prince Edward Island (CSNPEI) is the provincial network supporting nonprofit organizations across PEI. CSNPEI works to strengthen the nonprofit sector through advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, sector research, and collaborative partnerships.

CSNPEI serves a diverse membership of nonprofit organizations and works closely with government, funders, and community leaders to strengthen the sector’s sustainability and impact.

CSNPEI is seeking an experienced consultant to facilitate the development of a 4–5 year Strategic Plan that will guide the organization’s priorities, partnerships, and growth.

Purpose of the Strategic Planning Process

The purpose of this engagement is to develop a clear, actionable strategic plan that:

• Clarifies CSNPEI’s strategic priorities for the next 4–5 years
• Aligns the organization’s mission, programs, and operations with sector needs
• Reflects the perspectives of staff, board, members, and key stakeholders
• Integrates insights from previous organizational engagements and sector initiatives
• Provides a framework for decision-making, resource allocation, and impact measurement

The resulting plan should be practical, focused, and actionable, providing clear direction for the Board and staff while positioning CSNPEI for continued leadership within the nonprofit sector.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will design and facilitate a strategic planning process that includes the following components:

3.1 Review and Integration of Existing Materials

The consultant will review and integrate findings from previous organizational engagements and documents, including but not limited to:

• Organizational reports and evaluations
• Sector engagement findings
• Program outcomes and research initiatives
• Relevant environmental or sector scans

This analysis should help identify key themes, opportunities, and strategic considerations.

3.2 Stakeholder Engagement

The consultant will design and facilitate engagement opportunities to gather input from key stakeholders. Engagement should include:

• At least one session with staff (online or in-person) to identify operational insights, priorities, and future opportunities.
• At least one in-person strategic discussion session with the Board of Directors.
• At least one facilitated session with CSNPEI members (online or in-person).
• Development and administration of an online survey to gather input from all stakeholders.

The consultant will analyze and summarize engagement findings to inform strategic priorities.

3.3 Strategic Framework Development

Using insights from engagement opportunities and document review, the consultant will support the development of a strategic framework that may include:

• Strategic priorities or pillars
• Desired outcomes and impact areas
• Organizational guiding principles or values
• Key strategic directions
• Considerations for implementation and evaluation

The consultant should ensure the framework is clear, focused, and achievable for CSNPEI.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:

• Document Review & Environmental Analysis Summary

A concise summary synthesizing insights from previously completed engagements, organizational documents, and relevant sector context to identify key themes and considerations for the strategic planning process.

• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement opportunities (as outlined in 3.2)

A summary of insights gathered through stakeholder engagement sessions and the online survey, identifying key themes to inform the strategic plan.

• Draft Strategic Plan

A preliminary version of the strategic plan for review and feedback, outlining strategic priorities, desired outcomes, guiding principles, and other core framework elements.

• Final Strategic Plan (Designed and Publication-Ready)

A polished, final strategic plan suitable for public release, board approval, and organizational use. 

• Final Presentation to the Board, Staff, and Members

An online or in-person summary presentation highlighting the strategic plan and key considerations arising from the planning process.

5. Budget

The maximum budget for this engagement is $10,000 inclusive of all professional fees, expenses, and applicable taxes.

6.Project Timeline 

CSNPEI anticipates the strategic planning process will take approximately 3 – 4 months. The anticipated timeline is:

• Proposal Deadline – April 13, 2026
• Consultant Selection – Late April 2026
• Project Start – May 2026
• Engagement Sessions – May to June 2026
• Draft Strategic Plan – July 2026
• Final Strategic Plan – August 2026

Timeline may be adjusted collaboratively based on consultant availability.

7. Proposal Requirements 

Proposals must include:

• Proponent Profile

• Company overview
• Name and bios of project lead and team members
• Relevant experience with nonprofits and/or backbone organizations

• Approach & Methodology

• Engagement strategy
• Planning approach
• Proposed tools and techniques

• Work Plan & Deliverables

Provide a detailed description of the activities to be conducted by the consultant in order to complete the requested scope of work, including

• The specific activities to be completed at each stage
• A timeline for the activities at each stage
• Milestones and deliverables tied to those activities
• A detailed budget for each stage, along with a proposed payment schedule tied to project milestones and/or deliverables

• References

Include three references of individuals who can speak to their experience with the consultant in conducting projects of similar scope. Information regarding each reference should include the individual’s name, address, telephone number, and email address.

• Previous Work Samples

The proposal should include at least two examples of projects similar to the scope of work requested within this RFP.

• Conflict of Interest

Disclose any conflicts or perceived conflicts of interest.

8. Submission Instructions

Proposals shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to

Community Sector Network of PEI

Attention: Deanelle Magbanua

Email: info@csnpei.com    

The deadline for the submission of a Proposal is April 13th 2026 at 4:00 PM. 

9. Application Review Criteria

The proposals will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. A)  Experience and Qualifications (35 %)
2. B)  Approach (35%)
3. C)  Value and cost (30%)

10. Terms and Conditions

• Acceptance or Rejection of Proposal

       CSNPEI reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and may waive minor errors or omissions in any proposal. 

• Right to Negotiate / Modify Scope

        CSNPEI reserves the right to negotiate the scope of work, timeline, or pricing with 

      the selected proponent.

• Ownership of Intellectual Materials

        All data collected and all resulting materials prepared by the consultant will be the 

      exclusive property of CSNPEI which reserves ownership rights to all ideas and 

      concepts developed.

• Termination of Contract

       Either the consultant or CSNPEI may terminate the contract, once awarded, at any 

       time upon giving notice in writing at least thirty days prior to the date of termination 

      without penalty or recourse. In the event of such termination, the consultant will be 

      paid for services up to and including the date of termination.

Issue Date: March 9th 2026 

Closing Date: April 13th, 2026, at 4:00 PM

Maximum Budget: $10,000 (all-inclusive)

Strategic Plan Timeline: 2026–2030/2031 (4–5 years)

Please direct questions to:

Deanelle Magbanua

info@csnpei.com   

902-330-3351