HomeBase Cincinnati is a leading resource for community-based CDCs, focused on sharing resources, funding, expertise, and creating partnerships that can help CDCs build their capacity for neighborhood transformation. HomeBase and the City of Cincinnati seek to support and assist CDCs in pursuing greater efforts and achieving outcomes that align with the goals of the community.

Westwood is Cincinnati's largest neighborhood of roughly 6 square miles. With over 30,000 residents, this neighborhood is anchored by its walkability, tree lined streets, and collection of buildings which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Within this neighborhood are two existing community-based organizations that are united in their mission to revitalize Westwood's business district: Westwood Works and Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC). WestCURC is a business- and development focused organization that is engaged in projects relating to property acquisitions and redevelopment. For several years they have worked to align the resources and people to further the understanding of technical city processes and mechanisms, effective communication and community engagement. Westwood Works is also an asset-based organization that has served as a connector, seeking to connect passion, resources, and people. It is strong in its fundraising efforts and community activation.

The two organizations are seeking to strategically merge, join assets, and operate under a larger organization that maintains that expertise and skills of both. The qualified consultant will be a neutral party that is expected to help determine the logistics and feasibility behind joining the two groups as one organization and developing a road map for going forward both internally and as a neighborhood.

Scope of Services

HomeBase is requesting proposals from experienced consultants or teams demonstrating knowledge, skill and professional experience required to advise how to strategically merge both groups and help them identify what skills need to be added to the staff to handle the increased bandwidth. HomeBase intends to engage professional consultants to develop a strategic plan for operational funding following federal competitive procurement requirements.

A successfully qualified consulting team will demonstrate the capacity to prepare a strategic plan that includes but is not be limited to the following:

1. A facilitated and collaborative planning process for the merger of two community serving organizations. The process should be structured and maintain the missions of both organizations in a complimentary fashion. The transfer, reassignment, and renegotiation process should include all necessary parties between both organizations.
2. An organizational chart that depicts functioning personnel, job roles and titles. Assist in determining the need for additional staff, the scope of work and division of responsibilities.
3. A strategy for developing a 3-5 year strategic plan detailing the organization's focus and capacity for the coming years.
4. Recurring partnership expertise that Westwood organizations can utilize during negotiations and structured discussions.

Term

Services are expected to be rendered for a period of approximately 5-6 months.

Timeline

Release of RFP 5/24/2023

Questions via email through 6/12/2023

Submission Deadline 6/15/2023

Interviews of Qualified Bids 6/16/2023

Proposed start of contract to provide resulting services 6/30/2023

Questions

All questions or requests for clarification must be submitted in writing no later than 6/12/2023 at 12:00pm ET. Questions and clarification requests may be emailed to alexus.wimbish@homebasecincy.org. Please reference "Organizational Merging Services" in the subject field of the message. Questions received after the designated period may not be considered. Any response made by HomeBase will be provided in writing via Addendum.

Offerors are prohibited from contacting any other HomeBase employees, board members or any third party representatives of HomeBase on any matter having to do with this RFP. All communications must be made to the email as listed above.