Request for Proposals – Strategic Planning

Organization: LEAF - Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests
Location: Virtual with one or more in-person sessions in Toronto, Ontario

1. Organizational Background

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) has been delivering planting, education and stewardship programs in Toronto since 1996.

In 2009 we expanded to York Region and in 2020 we expanded to Durham Region. Our revenues come mainly in the form of agreements and grants from municipalities. We also receive grants from provincial and federal governments, as well as foundations and other funding agencies. A very small portion of our revenue comes from individual donors.

In 2025 we updated our mission, vision, principles and strategic priorities.

Our current strategic goals expire at the end of 2027. We are seeking a qualified consultant to guide our Board of Directors, leadership, and staff through a comprehensive process to build our 2028 – 2032 strategic goals which will fit within our updated mission, vision and strategic priorities.

2. Project Purpose and Scope of Work

The selected consultant will design and facilitate a collaborative strategic planning process. Key phases should include:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Conduct internal and external assessments including surveys and/or interviews with board members, staff, funders, community partners, and volunteers. Also, review program participant feedback previously collected by LEAF.
• Environmental Scan: Perform a SWOT analysis and evaluate external ecosystem affecting our sector.
• Facilitation: Design and lead a streamlined planning process, consisting of one or two half-day virtual sessions (Dec/Jan) and one intensive full-day session (Jan/Feb).
• Strategic Goals Development: Deliver a final, actionable document that includes clear strategic goals and objectives, measurable indicators of success, resource requirements, and a high-level implementation roadmap (Mar/Apr).

3. Anticipated Timeline

We expect the strategic planning process to take approximately five months, beginning in November 2026.

• RFP Questions Due: Oct 28
• Proposal Submission Deadline: Nov 2
• Interviews with Shortlisted Candidates: Nov 4-11
• Consultant Selection & Project Kickoff: Nov 16
• Final Strategic Plan Delivery: March/April 2027

4. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit a proposal (maximum 8 pages in PDF format) containing:

• Executive Summary: An overview of you/your company, approach, and why you are qualified.
• Methodology: A detailed description of your proposed process, stakeholder engagement strategy, and facilitation style. A strong equity and reconciliation lens should be evident throughout the design and engagement stages as well as in the interpretation of findings.
• Project Team: Bio of the primary consultant(s) who will work on this project.
• Cost: Proposals should include a breakdown of cost by phase (Stakeholder Engagement, Scan, Facilitation, Plan Development). Total available budget is $10,000 to $15,000, inclusive of all expenses.
• References & Past Work: Contact information for two nonprofit clients for whom you have conducted similar strategic planning services, along with sample plans or components of plans.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by our Strategic Planning Committee based on the following criteria:

• Nonprofit Expertise: Demonstrated experience navigating nonprofit governance, funding structures, and mission-driven models.
• Proposed Approach: Clarity, creativity, and thoroughness of the engagement and facilitation methodology.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Value of the services relative to the proposed budget.
• Qualifications: Experience of the consultant(s).

Submission Instructions: Please email your proposal to Janet McKay, Executive Director at janet@yourleaf.org before midnight on November 2, 2026.

Questions regarding the RFP are welcome prior to October 28th.

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