RFP for Communications and Development Consultants Greater Nashua Mental Health Center
Brief History of GNMHC
Established in 1920, the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center is nearing its 100th year of providing a diverse mix of vital professional services to the greater Nashua community. Greater Nashua Mental Health Center (GNMHC) has as its mission: empowering people to lead full and satisfying lives through effective treatment and support. The agency’s initial focus was quite broad and included teaching citizenship to thecommunity’s non-English speaking population, monitoring street cars and establishing a community library. In 1924, we officially incorporated as Community Council of Nashua, NH, Inc. and began addressing mental health issues by establishing a “mental hygiene” clinic. Over the next several decades, CCN took on additional concerns such as decreasing the infant mortality rate and establishing clinics for the blind andtreating polio.
In 1963 President John F. Kennedy’s issued call to action for a “new type of health facility, one which will return mental health care to the main stream of American medicine, and at the same time enhance mental health services.” In 1967 the CCN Board of Directors declared that the agency’s primary focus would be to provide comprehensive mental health services to the greater Nashua community. In 1974 the agency received the funding and approval to become a “community mental health center” and was able to begin bringing area residents back home to Nashua from the state Psychiatric Hospital.
Today, the agency provides comprehensive behavioral health services utilizing evidence-based practices and specializes in treatment for individuals with serious mental health challenges--including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. The agency provides a wide array of services to individuals of all ages and is a stabilizing force for its clients throughout theentire lifecycle. Services are provided both in the office and in community settings and include therapy for individuals (youth and adults), couples, and families, along with many other services and supports that clients require. GNMHC is the only state-designated Community Mental Health Center in the Greater Nashua region, a densely populated area with a growing demand for services. No one is turned away due to the inability to pay for services. For consumers without insurance, the agency offers a sliding fee scale based upon family size and income.
Serving approximately 5,000 consumers annually, the need for behavioral health services is increasing, especially with the emergence of the opioid epidemic that has gripped New Hampshire and the nation. GNMHC is responding to the increased need for services in the region, including for those with limited resources. In addition, over 70% of our clients utilize Medicaid, while Medicaid reimbursement rates have remained flat since 2006. This is creating an increased need to raise funds to both offset rising expenses and meet the need for expanded services in the region.
There has not been dedicated Development and Communications staff at GNMHC for the past few years and the agency has undergone some significant transitions during that time. The current Senior Leadership team has now been in place for the past 2-3 years and the Agency has experienced significant improvements in organizational efficiency, financial stability, and overall quality and increased capacity of our programming during that time.
At this juncture, we are looking to launch Development and Communications initiatives in support of continuing these efforts. We understand the importance of an effective communicationsstrategy (which includesboth internal and external audiences, marketing and public relations), in support of a more robust development effort (grant writing, fundraising, capital campaign and eventually planned giving). These initiatives figure prominently into our current strategic plan, which also includes (but is not limited to): launching several new service lines, additional growth and strategic collaboration initiatives with community partners over the next 1-3 years.
Desired Outcomes and Deliverables
GNMHC is seeking seasoned Development and Communications consultant(s) with a track record of success in assisting nonprofits to develop strategies and operational plans for achieving our goals in these two separate but related areas. Consultants can choose to submit proposals for one or both. Deliverables would includeSeparate Communications and Development Plans that support one another and contribute to the overall agency strategy of long-term sustainability in support of our mission.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1)Conduct a communications audit of current efforts, print materials, electronic / social media and the status of the Agency’s brand in the community.
- Need to modify, refresh, or possibly re-brand?
2) Produce a detailedCommunications Plan that defines the various target audiences and the tactics to achieve identified goals for each(plan to include person(s) responsible, timelines, resources / est. costs, etc.).
- Internal audience: staff and Board of Directors
- External audience: clients, referral sources, major stakeholders (payors, partners, DHHS, contractors, schools, hospitals, public health, legislators, business community, etc.)
- Plan should also specifically include and support
-talent acquisition / recruitment efforts
-donor acquisition / cultivation
3) Establish graphics standards to support Agency brand consistency.
4) Develop a crisis communication strategyto guide the Agency in responding to adverse events.
DEVELOPMENT:
1)Assist the agency’s Leadership / Board to define the role of philanthropy in the overall Agency strategic plan (e.g., are we going to build on the endowment, provide on-going program support, offset uncompensated care, possibly limit efforts to startup costs or one-time acquisitions, etc.?).
2)Produce a detailedDevelopment Plan that would provide a clear road map / tactics for achieving the defined goals(to include person(s) responsible, timelines, resources / est. costs, etc.).
3)Develop effective Case Statement(s) in support of defined development strategies / tactics.
4)Ensure that the Board of Directors and relevant Staff that are trained where appropriate and can clearly articulate how philanthropy and communication / advocacy efforts contribute to the success of our mission and their role.
5)Review of current donor management software / database(Donor Perfect) and make recommendations as appropriate.
6)Evaluate the feasibility of conducting a Capital Campaign in support of facilities planning efforts (2-3 years out).
Options for On-going Engagement
While this RFP is specific to the deliverables outlined above for each of the two areas—Development and Communications, there may be the opportunity for the consultant(s) to secure additional contracts to provide on-going consultation or services for carrying out various parts of the established plans, beyond what is detailed above.
Level of Support
There is a full-time Development / Communications Coordinator that will assist the chosen consultant(s) in gathering information, scheduling, etc. in support of these projects.
Contract Terms
Time Frame: March 1st to June 30th, 2018.
Pricing: RFP should include all anticipated costs with payment dependent upon achievement of deliverables / established project milestones.
Next Steps
Please provide a brief narrative explaining your interest and why you are qualified for this opportunity. Please include a resume and three references with your narrative. Relevant work samples will be accepted / encouraged.
The deadline for submission of a response to this RFP is Friday, February 16th, 2018 by 4:00 p.m.
Responses may be submitted via:
- Email to Donna Albertelli Collins, Development and Communications Coordinator, at
- Mail to Donna Albertelli Collins at 100 W. Pearl St., Nashua, NH 03060
- Hand delivered to the address above, Attn: Donna Albertelli Collins.
Questions
If you have questions, please contact our Development and Communications Coordinator: Donna Albertelli Collins at or call directly at (603) 402-1588.
Once submissions have been received, we will contact respondents by the end of February to let them know the status of their proposal. Top candidates will meet with the CEO of Greater Nashua Mental Health Center and the Development and Communications Coordinator prior to final selection.
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