Proposal interviews being accepted until November 18, 2024 (5:00 pm EST) Your Expertise + Our Impact for NJ Students
Issued by: New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF)
Proposal Deadline: November 18, 2024 (5:00 pm EST)
Overview
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF) is seeking proposals for a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to elevate the profile of its flagship program, Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey (JAG NJ). The selected partner will evaluate our current communication efforts, develop a strategic plan, and create collateral materials that will raise brand awareness and secure donor contributions.
About NJCCF and JAG NJ
NJCCF is a non-profit dedicated to workforce development and education. Our flagship program, Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey (JAG NJ), helps underrepresented young adults (ages 14-24) complete their high school education and transition into further education or the workforce. JAG NJ has a proven track record in reducing absenteeism, increasing graduation rates, and re-engaging students across New Jersey.
Due to limited resources, NJCCF prioritizes the direct impact of JAG NJ over advertising, making it one of the state’s best-kept workforce development secrets. We aim to change that by increasing visibility among key stakeholders, including legislators, funders, and educational partners.
Project Scope
We are seeking communications and marketing support for the following:
- Evaluation of Current Strategy:
- Assess our current communication efforts (social media, website, newsletters).
- Identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Strategic Communications Plan:
- Develop a plan that NJCCF staff can execute, focusing on brand awareness and stakeholder engagement.
- Establish media relations connections in the NY, NY and Philadelphia marketplace.
- Leverage NJ Chamber of Commerce’s communications team for press releases and media distribution.
- Collateral Development:
- Design materials that communicate the key aspects of JAG NJ: who we serve, what we do, where we operate, and our accomplishments.
- Design social media templates for ongoing use that increase online engagement
- Create template press releases for ongoing use that increase stake holder engagement
- Materials may include print, digital, video, infographics, or other formats.
- Create a one-page impact document showcasing JAG NJ’s overall results since inception.
- Assist in gathering testimonials from JAG NJ participants to highlight their success stories.
- Brand Awareness and Donor Engagement:
- Develop strategies to position JAG NJ for enhanced brand recognition and increased donor contributions.
- Create a tiered donor engagement pathway, including steps from introductory outreach to newsletter distribution, event invitations, volunteering for events/classroom presentations, employment pathways or Advisory Board service.
Target Audience
The communications and marketing plan will target the following stakeholders and will require tailored messaging:
- NJ State Legislators: Materials to educate new legislators unfamiliar with JAG NJ.
- School District Administrators: Create summary documents or pre-recorded presentations to showcase the program to potential new districts.
- Corporate Partners and Funders: Highlight opportunities to convert current volunteers into funders and deepen engagement.
Budget
The total budget for this project must not exceed $65,000. A detailed line-item budget is essential to ensure clarity and allow NJCCF to assess each component. If your proposed budget exceeds the limit, NJCCF may review and prioritize project elements, adjusting expectations to align with available resources.
Proposal Requirements
Interested firms or individuals should schedule a 60-minute proposal interview with the NJCCF and provide the following:
- Approach and Methodology: A comprehensive outline of the proposed approach to assessing NJCCF’s communications strategy, developing a tailored marketing plan, and recommended timeline for each phase of the project.
- Relevant Case Studies: Two case studies showcasing similar work with non-profit clients, including measurable outcomes and any relevant metrics.
- Sample Work: Links or examples of previous work with non-profit organizations that demonstrate experience and capability in communications and marketing.
- References: Contact information for three non-profit clients who can speak to the firm’s expertise and impact.
- Budget Breakdown: An itemized budget in Excel, detailing costs for each project component (evaluation, strategy development, collateral materials, etc.).
Applicant Qualifications
We seek applicants with:
- Experience amplifying the voices of underserved populations.
- Expertise in working with non-profits, particularly in workforce development.
- Familiarity with New Jersey-based organizations.
- Skills in communications strategy, marketing, and design.
- A proven track record in elevating brand awareness, program growth and increased revenue for similar organizations.
Intellectual Property
All materials, plans, and content produced for this project will be the property of the NJCCF.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Logical approach and methodology for the NJCCF.
- Cost-effectiveness of the budget.
- Experience with similar projects.
- Proven success in similar campaigns.
- Reference feedback.
Metrics for Success
Success will be measured by:
- Increased social media engagement (followers, likes, shares).
- Improved brand visibility (media mentions, website traffic).
- Enhanced donor engagement through contributions, volunteerism or inquiries.
- Increase in the number of JAG programs.
NJCCF Capabilities
NJCCF has a brand book, a social media calendar, and recently updated its website, which staff can modify in real-time. NJCCF can also access the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s communications team for press release writing and distribution. While we have some in-house design capabilities, we expect the contractor to lead on design and strategy.
Timeline
- November 6, 2024 (10:00-11:00 am EST): Technical Assistance Teams session. Register by emailing Donna Custard with the subject line: “Marketing and Communication Technical Assistance.”
- November 8 – 18, 2024: Proposal Interview sessions (via Teams) Register for your proposal interview here: https://form.jotform.com/243035878260156
- November 18, 2024 (5:00 pm EST): Proposal submission deadline.
Questions
Email questions for the Technical Assistance Team session to:
Donna Custard, President, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Email: donna.custard@njchamber.com
Please note: All contractors with student contact will be required to undergo a background check. We look forward to receiving proposals that can help JAG NJ reach new heights in brand awareness and stakeholder engagement.