Temporary Strategic Planning Request for Proposals

Job Description
Strategic Planning Request for Proposals
Proposal Due Date: May 20
BACKGROUND
One Arizona (c3 civic engagement table), in coordination with key infrastructure partners, America Votes – Arizona (c4 coordination table) and Progress Arizona (communications table c4/c3 ProgressNow affiliate), and Instituto (capacity building) seeks to hire a consultant that will work in collaboration with One Arizona staff and other stakeholders to shape, guide, and complete a strategic planning project. The primary role of the consultant is to be the project manager, facilitator, and lead author of the final written products and presentations.
Additional expectations of the work include:
- Guide the planning committee in developing a series of statewide strategic plans (1-year, 2-year, 5-year) as well as a 10-year vision for long-term implementation across Arizona’s entire progressive infrastructure.
○ The plan must include, where necessary, a plan to develop additional capacities that are missing.
○ This will also include recommended structure and governance of the various infrastructure organizations to best approach the work laid out in the ten-year plan
- Conduct an independent and comprehensive review of Arizona’s existing political and progressive landscape, and identify gaps and additional capacities needed for electoral success in 2026 and beyond.
○ Engage key stakeholders in fact-finding conversations about existing staffing, budgets, and program information.
- Guide the strategic planning steering committee members and AZ partner organizations to develop a joint, shared framework of what is needed to build a more progressive Arizona.
○ Considering our electorate, past elections, existing capacity at hard side entities (Arizona State Democratic Party as well as the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee), Opportunity Arizona, ( IE infrastructure) and asses what is missing.
○ Examine recent cycle expenditures in an effort to understand what’s moving the needle.
○ Compare the conservative and progressive infrastructure programs and investments to better understand what each side is doing and how we can exceed our opposition.
- Work with One Arizona and our strategic planning committee to develop a statewide investment plan based on strategies critical for 1-year, 2-year, and five-year plans, as well as a ten-year vision for the state.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have high-level experience in leading multiple statewide and/or national campaigns and/or organizations.
- Have demonstrated a commitment to lifting up communities of color and other marginalized communities.
- Have a clear understanding of Arizona’s unique and diverse electorate.
- Have the ability to assemble a team (of in-house or outside professionals) to work on this project in the period allotted.
- Ability to work with and/or build a diverse team.
The following will be considered in our choice of a Consultant:
- Direct and recent experience with Arizona or experience in a state similar to Arizona.
- Experience working with or at advocacy, independent electoral, and/or community-based organizations at the state or national level.
- Existing relationships with current stakeholders and partner organizations or their national affiliates.
- Experience in performing similar analysis and review processes.
DELIVERABLES
Consultants for this project are required to lead the One Arizona strategic planning steering committee through a process to produce the following:
- A statewide strategy for all sectors of Arizona’s progressive infrastructure that includes a series of statewide strategic plans for implementation on a 1-year, 2-year, 5-year timeline as well as a 10-year vision for the state.
- Strengths and weaknesses in Arizona’s existing infrastructure and suggestions for improvement.
- Identify gaps in Arizona’s existing capacities and specific suggestions on how to fill them.
- Long-term strategy for sustainability and success that is responsive to the changing political / IE landscapes.
- Updated prospectus & other public-facing materials for One Arizona (copy only)
Consultant’s responsibility for the above list is inclusive of leading and owning the creation of written summaries and presentations back to stakeholders. There will be available staff, consultants, and steering committee members who support or help with these materials, but the consultant will be the owner.
The process will need to be completed as follows:
Phase One: Discovery and Analysis
- Consultant works with One Arizona and the strategic planning steering committee to develop a set of key questions, specific areas of work, parties/organizations to be interviewed, datasets to be researched and reviewed, and in what sequence.
- Consultant serves as the intermediary between stakeholders and data researchers to produce a landscape analysis.
- Consultant works with One Arizona and the strategic planning steering committee to ensure infrastructure staff and stakeholders are aware of the discovery process and build transparency around the process and objectives
- Consultant conducts phone, in-person, and online infrastructure assessments with stakeholders and gathers feedback.
- Consultant shares a short update report with One Arizona and the strategic planning steering committee, and other key stakeholders, upon completion of outreach.
Phase Two: Infrastructure Assessment Report
- Consultant compiles, analyzes, and produces an infrastructure assessment
- Consultant compiles, analyzes, and details what additional capacities Arizona needs, with recommendations for prioritization.
- Consultant presents assessment and additional needs to One Arizona, infrastructure staff partners, and other key stakeholders.
Phase Three: Final Strategic Analysis, Recommended Next Steps, and Building of Ten-Year Guide
- Consultant works with One Arizona and the strategic planning steering committee to produce a final strategy and recommended next steps.
- Consultant presents final reports to One Arizona and the strategic planning steering committee and other key stakeholders and/or partners.
TIMELINE
We’d like for this project to take 6 months, therefore, the project is to be completed along the following schedule:
- May 2025: Lead Consultant is hired
- June – August 2025: Phase One: Discovery and Analysis
- August – Sept. 2025: Phase Two: Infrastructure Assessment (Report due Oct. 1, 2025)
- Oct. – Nov. 2025: Phase Three: Final Strategic Analysis (Report due Nov. 1, 2025)
ABOUT One Arizona Since 2010, One Arizona has been at the forefront of expanding the electorate, building long-term political power in BIPOC communities, and protecting democracy in Arizona. As a coalition of 27 grassroots and national organizations, One Arizona serves as the coordinating hub for civic engagement efforts across the state. Through strategic collaboration, research-driven programming, and deep investment in community-led initiatives, we foster a culture of sustained civic participation, ensuring historically underrepresented communities have a voice in shaping Arizona’s future.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following materials to Info@onearizona.org no later than 5/20/2025- A professional bio with relevant work experience
- Presentation or writing sample analysis
- Memo outlining your process and budget for completing this project
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