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Schools Advocating for Fair Funding (SAFF)
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals from consultants experienced in providing government relations, legislative advocacy, and lobbying services to support and further the Schools Advocating for Fair Funding (SAFF) legislative priorities. The consultant will assist SAFF to build relationships with elected and appointed officials, advance SAFF legislative priorities, and provide political communication and coalition support. This
consultant will work closely with the SAFF Executive Board to develop and support SAFF’s legislative agenda for 2025, beginning in October 2024 and extending through the end of the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session, with possible renewal.
SAFF’s Values and Approach: Schools Advocating for Fair Funding is a membership organization that supports the work of more than 52 member school districts throughout Minnesota.
● Advocating for improved tax equalization to address the unfair tax burden on taxpayers who reside in low-property wealth school districts
● Educating and engaging state leaders
● Facilitating opportunities for learning and collaboration for district administrators and school board members
● Providing financial data analysis and comparison
Our Work: SAFF provides advocacy and support to member districts throughout the state of Minnesota. This includes ongoing professional development and education for school administrators and school board members, development and distribution of financial data and comparative analysis.
Scope of Services:
Advocacy and Lobbying
● Work to pass SAFF’s legislative agenda by lobbying members of the legislature, their staff, and other state government officials in accordance with the MN Campaign Finance Board rules;
● Provide testimony to various legislative bodies;
● Assist SAFF in navigating the landscape of the state legislature, influencers, policies and processes;
● Propose a strategic advocacy and political engagement plan designed to achieve SAFF’s legislative goals and support organization priorities;
● Create a plan for communication with key legislators, regulatory agencies, local governments and related policy organizations that are consistent with the mission and scope of SAFF’s legislative work;
● Communicate the mission and goals of SAFF to key influencers in the legislative policy making space;
● Consult on SAFF’s policy efforts, including reviewing proposed bills and providing feedback;
● Coordinate with and advise SAFF’s staff on messaging and media engagement.
Education
● Meet with legislators to keep them informed as to current trends in school funding;
● Attend regular SAFF General and Regional meetings to share updates and seek additional input from member districts;
● Provide education and resources to legislators around a variety of issues related to school funding and other legislative priorities
● Provide content for fact sheets, resources, and technical assistance for legislators; SAFF staff, and member programs;
● Identify, track, and report on state legislation and legislative proposals that may have an impact on SAFF’s mission and membership;
● Track and attend committee and rule-making hearings;
● Write weekly updates to membership during the legislative session;
● Comply with state lobbying registration and reporting requirements.
Qualifications:
● Registered lobbyist in the state of MN, or the ability to become a registered lobbyist prior to January 2025;
● Knowledge of MN political landscape and processes;
● Demonstrated success working with members of all political parties to further the interests of the organization;
● Familiarity with appropriations and budget processes, including demonstrated success in securing funding for priority areas.
Compensation
SAFF is seeking a contracted policy consultant to provide the above listed services from September 2024 through June 2025. Salary range $45,000 – $50,000.
Evaluation Criteria:
In awarding a contract for lobbying services, SAFF will consider a number of factors which should all be covered in the proposal and include:
1. The extent to which the applicant’s experience and interests align with the needs of SAFF:
2. An understanding of public school finance, and implications for legislation and policy;
3. Qualifications and experience of consultant in providing lobbying services and working with nonprofit organizations – this will include references from previous clients;
4. Availability for work to be conducted with the state legislative session beginning January 14 2025
5. Cost of services, including staff time, materials, travel, administrative/clerical, overhead and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Application Process & Procedures:
Please provide a complete response to this RFP which does not exceed 5-8 single sided, 12 pt., 1.5 line spaced pages. Executive Summary (1 page)
● A brief Executive Summary Proposal (1-2 pages)
● A list of process and deliverables to be created with a detailed timeline for each deliverable and overall project completion
● A detailed budget that breaks out expenses
● A description of the applicant’s general approach to legislative advocacy and lobbying, including methodology, perspective, or philosophy that guides your work with organizations in this undertaking;
● Credentials and qualifications of key personnel who will take responsibility for working directly on this project, including three references;
● Past Performance (1-2 pages) Two examples of successful lobbying activities completed by applicant
● Include client names and contact information
Send any questions as well as completed proposals, by August 31, 2024 to Kim Springer.
[email protected] (612.381.7127)
RFP Timetable
● Proposals due August 31, 2024
● Executive Board Review and Selection September 15, 2024
● Award Date & Contract finalization: September 30, 2024