Strategic and Business Planning Request for Proposals
The Organization is looking for a consultant/facilitator for our Strategic and Business Planning Process. Consultant will facilitate a 4-6 month strategic planning process that results in a Strategic Plan including goals, strategies, activities, roles in implementing, benchmarks for measuring success, timeline and cost estimates and an aligned, revised Business Plan.
Mission - Boston Dance Alliance (BDA) supports the dance community that invigorates Greater Boston through this living and dynamic art form. BDA raises the profile of dance, nurtures artistic excellence, and enhances the effectiveness and vitality of its individual and institutional members.
Organization Overview - Begun in 1985 by a passionate group of volunteers and incorporated in 1994, BDA is now one of the region's largest and most respected arts service organizations. BDA provides critical education, resource, and business savvy, allowing members to dedicate more energy to creating and presenting dance. The community is, however, made up of many small, under-capitalized dance organizations, which can lead to isolation, lack of coordination, and poor visibility for the art. BDA addresses each of these threats through its value-added model, helping the entire dance community operate more efficiently and deliver artwork more effectively. BDA's economy of scale translates into a more sustainable bottom line for each individual member and a broader reach for every dance dollar raised or earned. BDA strives to build the dance audience, increase access to dance for communities of all kinds, and promote artistic quality of the highest order.
BDA's programs and services focus on three areas: networking and communications; education and outreach; advocacy and access. Please refer to our website - www.bostondancealliance.org - for a description of programs and services.
Where BDA stands today
While BDA was started 25 years ago, until 2005 it was a volunteer run grass roots organization operating on a minimal budget. Six years ago it became a professionally run organization and has experienced exponential growth in budget, membership and programming since then. The current structure includes a full-time Executive Director and 2 half-time staff, aided by dozens of volunteers and overseen by an active 13-member Board of Directors. Its 350 members include a mix of individuals and institutions.
BDA Board and staff are fully committed to its mission and long-term vision. Widely recognized as highly innovative in its development of meaningful programs and services, very effective in community-building, and cost-effective, current key questions include:
What aspects of our long-term vision should we focus on in the next three years?
Who are our key stakeholders and what are their respective roles in fulfilling our mission and vision?
How should we be structured to accomplish our strategic goals?
How can we refine our business plan to generate new revenues to support our agenda?
What capacities are needed in our Board and staff to accomplish our strategic and business plans?
How can we build greater organizational stability during these fiscally challenging times?
Consultant Responsibilities
Consultant will facilitate a 4-6 month strategic planning process that results in a Strategic Plan including goals, strategies, activities, roles in implementing, benchmarks for measuring success, timeline and cost estimates and an aligned, revised Business Plan.
Please note that the Board of Directors has set aside a Saturday/Sunday? in August for a Retreat as part of this process.
Intended Results/Deliverables
1. Board and staff have a better and commonly held understanding of our own organization and its context
2. Board and staff are better able to use strategic thinking in carrying out our roles and responsibilities
3. A three year Strategic Plan including goals, strategies, activities, roles for implementing, benchmarks for measuring success, timeline and cost estimates with an aligned, refined Business Plan will guide our work over the next three years
4. Board and staff understand the Strategic and Business Plan and are prepared to embark on its implementation
5. BDA can use this Strategic Plan to help donors and institutional funders understand the value proposition of the Boston Dance Alliance, its programs and services, and its future plans
Qualifications
~ Experience facilitating strategic planning processes
~ Experience with the development, refinement and implementation of non-profit business plans
~ Knowledge of working with a diverse community; experience working with membership and/or service organizations highly desirable
~ Willingness to think beyond traditional models for operations
~ Excellent writing and communication skills
~ Organized, efficient, sense of humor
Compensation:
Payment for services is negotiable up to a maximum of $15,000
To Apply:
Please submit by 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2011 to [email protected]:
Cover letter summarizing your relevant experience and why they are interested in working with Boston Dance Alliance
Proposed process and scope of services with deliverables, timeline and budget (2-3 pages maximum)
Resume or CV
Three client references
