Request for Proposals for AmeriCorps Grant Proposal Development Consultant

I. Position Offered

4Cs seeks a consultant to perform tasks related to the development of our AmeriCorps grant proposal to California Volunteers. A consultant with experience in working with a non-profit on development of federal grant proposals is desired. More details on the AmeriCorps funding opportunity Request for Applications can be found at: http://www.californiavolunteers.org/index.php/AmeriCorps/detail4/ .


II. About 4Cs (Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County)

Since 1972, 4Cs has worked in support of the healthy development of all children in San Mateo County. Over the years, 4Cs has anticipated and responded to the changing and growing needs of families, the child care field, and the community. Today, the agency operates more than 20 programs in 3 focus areas: quality child care and preschool, family support, and children’s health and development. It has a staff of approximately 50 and a budget for more than $12 million annually.

4Cs’ work is made possible through strong partnerships with and investments from state and local government, local foundations, the business community and individuals. Of every dollar 4Cs receives, 92% goes directly to fund services for children and families. As a result of this vital collaboration, this year 4Cs is proud to have helped almost 400 early childhood educators become better teachers to our children by helping to finance their educations, supported working parents in their progress toward self-sufficiency by subsidizing child care and preschool for 1,500 children, and provided a reliable source of information and child care referrals for almost 9,000 parents who were seeking child care and preschool.

Since 2003, 4Cs has administered an AmeriCorps/VISTA program through a contract with First 5 San Mateo County. Since that time, over 57 volunteers have served the children and families of San Mateo County through the First 5 Service Corps initiative. 4Cs is seeking to develop a direct contract with California Volunteers to expand the program to 20 volunteers annually working in the service priority area of Education.

You can learn more about 4Cs, our partnerships, and our services by visiting www.sanmateo4Cs.org.

III. Responsibilities of the Consultant

• Project Coordination: Work closely with the 4Cs Program Manager to develop an outline of the proposal, timeline for completion of elements of the proposal and assignment of specific elements to either 4Cs staff or the consultant for completion.
• Grant Writing: Consultant will be expected to write selected elements of the grant proposal, to be determined by the Program Manager.
• Logic Model Development: Assist with development and writing of measurable performance measures, including creation of a logic model with inputs, activities, measurement tools and outputs.
• Needs Assessment: Research and write up findings on community needs related to the program’s goals. Facilitate a community involvement process that provides opportunities for community input on the proposal.
• Quality Assurance: Proofread the finished grant proposal assuring accuracy and consistency across the proposal. Assure that all elements of the RFA have been addressed.
• Communication: Given the short time frame for the grant application process, provide status updates at least two times per week to the Program Manager.

IV. Responsibilities of 4Cs

• Data: Supply community need information housed at 4Cs in regard to child care supply and demand and the successful outcomes of prior year AmeriCorps programs.
• Communication: Make staff available for communication as needed regarding elements of the proposal via in-person meetings, email, fax, and telephone calls.
• Writing: 4Cs staff will be sharing the task of writing sections of the proposal with the consultant.
• Budget Development: 4Cs staff will complete the Budget development for the RFA.
• Attend California Volunteers Technical Assistance Session
• Development of Memoranda of Understanding with Community Partners
• Approvals: Approval on all revisions/corrections of the proposal. Final submission of proposal.

V. Timeline

• Proposals must be submitted by November 2, 2009. 4Cs will accept e-mailed questions regarding the RFP prior to that date. Please contact kmorrison@sanmateo4cs.org. Please write AmeriCorps RFP Question in the subject line; do not include symbols in the subject line or it may be blocked by our exchange server.
• Consultant selection and notification will be completed by November 9, 2009.
• All work to be completed by December 7, 2009.

VI. How to Apply

Submit your written proposal by email to kmorrison@sanmateo4cs.org no later than 5PM on November 2, 2009. Please write 4Cs AmeriCorps Proposal in the subject line; do not include symbols in the subject line or it may be blocked by our exchange server.

Your proposal must include:

1. Your individual or firm capacity statement, including:
(a) List all responsible staff who will work on this project and their resumes.
(b) List at least three similar grant proposal projects you have developed since the year 2000 (preferably at least one federal grant), including one-paragraph descriptions, dates, and references. Please verify the continued validity of your reference’s contact information. Attach sample materials from those projects. Samples will not be returned.
(c) Please describe any grant proposals on which you are already working that are due in November and December 2009.

2. Your proposed work plan, taking into account the dates and constraints described above. In the work plan, please describe the methods you will use, and clarify your role in securing any needed staff input.

3. Your fee proposal including hourly rate, maximum amount and schedule of payment. In proposing a maximum amount, please describe the assumptions on which your fee proposal is based, and indicate whether you are willing to negotiate your scope of services to arrive at a maximum fee that is satisfactory to 4Cs.

4. A brief written description of the challenges you foresee in taking on this work and how you would approach them.

• Compensation: Fee Proposal including hourly rate, maximum amount and schedule of payment.
• This is a part-time job.
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Phone calls about this job are ok.
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.