Purpose
Wellesley Institute has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify qualified consultants to guide and execute a strategic planning process with our stakeholder community to inform a 4-year strategic plan.
Who is eligible to respond?
Wellesley Institute seeks consultants who demonstrate a strong overall understanding of the structure and purpose of non-profit organizations, have strong facilitation skills and have
proven experience with non-profit strategic planning.
About the organization
Wellesley Institute is more than a think tank. It is a catalyst for change. A driving force committed to creating a society where health is a birthright for all, not a privilege for some.
We believe that every individual has the right to thrive. We believe that investigating the issues and inequities facing communities will help achieve fairness in health. We believe that health equity is not a lofty idea, but an achievable reality.
At Wellesley Institute, empathy, understanding, action and impact come together to create healthier, fairer lives for all those who call the Greater Toronto Area home.
We work to advance population health and reduce health inequities by driving change on the social determinants of health through applied research, effective policy solutions, knowledge mobilization, and innovation.
View our recent Impact Reports.
Scope of work and deliverables
The current strategic plan runs from 2023 until 2026. It developed Wellesley’s theory of
change and has been foundational in the Institute’s continued success.
While the fundamentals of Wellesley’s approach remain valid, the specific goals of the
strategic plan have been completed.
It is now time to consider the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing social environment and to identify new strategic goals that will help us to maximize our impact on fairness in community health and wellness.
The strategic planning process will include an environmental scan and generative
consultations with the Board, staff, partners and the community.
The process should ensure stakeholder engagement and specifically engagement with a
network of organizations immersed in the relationship between anti-Black racism and health.
A Strategic Planning Task Force will oversee the process. The successful consultant or team
will work alongside the Strategic Planning Task Force to develop a draft plan.
Ideally, a draft of the updated strategic plan would be ready within a year.
Ownership and confidentiality
All intellectual property will become the property of Wellesley Institute. All data remains the
sole property of Wellesley Institute.
The consultant shall agree to keep information related to this process in strict confidence, including, but not limited to, the terms of the contract and any confidential business information or proprietary information that has been gathered on this project.
Proposal format
The proposal must also include (but is not limited to) the following specific information:
- Why are you interested in working with Wellesley Institute.
- What makes you a good fit for Wellesley Institute.
- What is your approach to strategic planning.
- A detailed summary of your strategic planning experience in similar organizations.
- Your experience engaging and working with diverse stakeholders and equity deserving
groups. - Your experience with community-engaged governance.
- Three client references.
- Sample project timeline with major tasks and milestones.
- Sample project plan.
- Whether or how any generative AI will be used during the work.
- Your proposed fee.
Process for proposal submission and evaluation
- Closing Submission Date
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. ET on Friday May 29, 2026. - Inquiries
Inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to RFP@wellesleyinstitute.com. - Conditions of Proposal
All costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFP are the responsibility of
the bidder and will not be reimbursed by Wellesley Institute. - Submission Instructions
All submissions are to be emailed to RFP@wellesleyinstitute.com.