Request for Proposal (RFP): Strategic Planning Services

Embrave: Agency to End Violence (formerly known as Interim Place) is hiring! We embrace brave, inspire bravery, create systemic change to end gender-based violence (GBV) in our community. We are a non-profit organization that provides shelter, counselling, and advocacy supports for women, two-spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary folks and their children impacted by gender-based violence. We amplify the voices of survivors, educate the community, and inspire systemic change to create a society free of violence. Embrave works within a feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, disability justice, gender inclusion, sex workers, decolonizing and harm reduction framework. 

To learn more about Embrave, visit: http://www.embrave.ca 

Gender-based violence remains a critical issue affecting diverse communities in the Region of Peel. We are seeking a Strategic Planner to support with the development of a 3-to-5-year organization strategic plan. The role involves planning and demonstrating how to successfully execute Embrave’s strategic goals. 

Please note this position reports directly to Embrave’s Board of Directors. 

Scope of Work:

We are seeking a consultant or firm to: 

• Facilitate a participatory strategic planning process with the board, staff, key stakeholders and community
• Review/assess our mission, vision, and values 
• Identify strategic priorities and goals for the next 3 to 5 years
• Recommend strategies, actions, timelines, and success indicators
• Develop a final strategic plan document and implementation roadmap 

Key deliverables include:

• Work plan/timeline for the strategic planning process
• Stakeholder engagement strategy (interviews, surveys, focus groups, etc.)
• Draft and final versions of the strategic plan
• Presentation of the final plan to the board 

Proposal Requirements

Please include the following in your proposal: 

1. Cover Letter 

A summary of your interest, qualifications, and approach. 

2. Company/Consultant Background 

Description of your firm or consulting practice, relevant experience with non-profits, and biographies of key personnel. 

3. Approach & Methodology 

Description of your proposed planning process, tools, stakeholder engagement strategy, and project management approach. 

4. Timeline 

Estimated start and end dates, major milestones, and project duration. 

5. Budget 

Detailed fee structure, including rates, travel, materials, or other expenses. 

6. References 

At least two references from similar strategic planning projects, preferably for non-profit organizations. 

7. Work Samples (Optional) 

Examples of past strategic plans or planning documents developed for other clients. 

Evaluation Criteria 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following: 

• Relevant experience and qualifications
• Understanding of the non-profit sector and community-based work
• Inclusivity and stakeholder engagement approach
• Clarity and feasibility of proposed methodology
• Cost-effectiveness
• References and past performance 

Qualifications & Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Proven experience in strategic planning, preferably within GBV or related social services sectors. 
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple priorities. 
• Familiarity with relevant legal standards. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working within a Critical Race, Feminist, Anti-Black Racism, and Anti-Colonialism framework.   
• Understanding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a complex social problem and the intersectionality of sexism, racism, classism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, islamophobia, antisemitic, ablism etc. on clients’ and their children’s lived experiences of violence.  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Submission Instructions 

Please send your proposal and CV to Embrave’s Board of Directors, email: boardofdirectors@embrave.ca, and cc Andrine Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, email: executive@embrave.ca by Friday, November 21^st, 2025 at 5 pm, with the subject line: “Strategic Planning Proposal – Embrave Agency to End Violence”. 

Late submissions will not be considered. 

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Estimated Budget: $10,000 – $20,000 (sliding scale) 

Embrave: Agency to End Violence is committed to the development of an organization that reflects the communities it serves. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including:

• First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples. 
• Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion, and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin. 
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations. 
• Persons with visible and/or invisible disabilities. 
• Survivors of the psychiatric system/consumer survivors. 
• Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary people. 

We will provide employment accommodation if we are advised of an applicant’s needs in advance of any part of the selection process.