Request for Proposals

Request For Proposals

NIWRC releases funding opportunities through Request for Proposals (RFPs) to support Tribal and Native organizations working to end violence against women. Each RFP includes comprehensive technical assistance and training to ensure successful project implementation. How to apply:

  • Each RFP includes specific application requirements and deadlines
  • Detailed instructions can be found within individual RFP announcements
  • Technical assistance is available throughout the application process.

Please contact the designated program specialist listed in each RFP for questions about eligibility and application requirements.

Active RFPs:

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Council requests proposals for a soap maker to supply our Bathing Bundle Project. The term of the project contract will be for nine months (January 1 – September 30, 2025). 

 

Background:
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) is a Native nonprofit organization with a mission to provide national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women by supporting culturally grounded, grassroots advocacy.

 

In 2020, we began the Bathing Bundle Project to provide bathing bundles at no cost to tribal domestic violence programs and shelters. With the spread of COVID-19, having access to personal care products and encouraging hand washing and general hygiene is crucial and especially difficult for survivors seeking shelter when leaving an abusive situation. Furthermore, the ritual of bathing is a simple way to clear the mind and cleanse the body. Providing natural, Native, traditional-themed products for these routines can improve the situation for survivors of domestic abuse who are transitioning out of trauma. The Bathing Bundle Project provides handmade, vegan, natural moisturizing soaps with no chemical preservatives, scented with essential oils that evoke a calming effect and have traditionally promoted healing, such as cedar, sage, lemongrass, tea tree, or lavender.  

 

Scope:
This RFP requests proposals from soap makers to manufacture bathing bundles (each bundle to include two soaps- one face bar and one bath bar- at .75 oz each, for a total of 1.5 oz per bundle). The soaps should be vegan, natural moisturizing soaps with no chemical preservatives, scented with essential oils that evoke a calming effect and promote traditional indigenous healing, such as cedar, sage, lemongrass, tea tree, lavender, or other scents. Each soap should be individually labeled, and each bundle (of two soaps- one face bar and one bath/body bar) should be wrapped with the “Bathing Bundle Project” title, NIWRC’s logo (to be provided by NIWRC upon the successful bid), NIWRC’s social media contacts (website, Facebook, and Instagram), and ingredients listed. The provider can add their name, logo, and contact information if desired. The project budget is $75,000, and the manufacturer should budget for all soap ingredients; manufacturing needs, supplies & labor; bundle wrapping material and labor; and shipping of bundles to locations requesting bathing bundles. All shipping costs will be reimbursed at the actual costs above $75,000. The project is funded by Federal Funds (90EV540) and is therefore the records are subject to Federal requirements and review. All soaps must be shipped no later than September 20,2025. In the event there is not enough requests for the remaining soaps, they will be shipped to the NIWRC office in Great Falls, Montana.

 

Proposal Content:
All proposals are to include the following:

  1. Complete contact information, including mailing and email address and phone/cell number.
  2. Information regarding whether the manufacturer is minority/woman-owned and, if Native, the tribal affiliation of the company leadership.
  3. Detailed responses that provide a description of the soaps to be manufactured, a description of the manufacturing process (including whether handmade or not), a description of soap ingredients to be used for face bars and bath/body bars, and a description of how the bundles will be wrapped,  with an image of the wrap design to be used (a placeholder for NIWRC’s logo is sufficient for purposes of the proposal).  
  4. Information on how many bathing bundles will be provided and shipped to recipients for a total compensation of $75,000 plus actual shipping costs.  A budget breakdown that addresses all costs, including soap ingredients, manufacturing needs, supplies & labor, bundle wrapping material and labor, and estimated shipping cost.  
  5. A timeframe for when completed shipments will be sent to recipients, how many bundles will be included in each shipment, and requested payment terms.
  6. List of three references (of previous/current soap clients) with contact information.


Please submit proposals to Carolyn Gresham, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, at grants@niwrc.org. Proposals must be received by December 6, 2024.

Learn more>>

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center, a project of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. The purpose of this RFP is to establish a contract with a qualified event planner to organize, promote, coordinate, and manage the first National Indigenous Housing Justice Summit, including concept development, planning, coordination of travel and hotel logistics, overall event management logistics including the day-of event coordination, registration, budget management, evaluation, reconciliation, and reporting.

 

Background:
STTARS, the Indigenous Safe Housing Center, a project of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) with funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services.  STTARS stands for Safety, Training, Technical Assistance and Support.  STTARS was established in 2021 to address the tremendous needs of Indigenous survivors of gender-based violence in finding safe, affordable, accessible, acceptable, and sustainable housing.  STTARS works to ensure safety and belonging through the promotion of Indigenous lifeways, and the dismantling of systemic and endemic barriers that impact housing access for survivors. We accomplish this by elevating culturally-rooted resources, identifying promising practices and policies, and uplifting the voices of survivors and those with lived experience.  STTARS works across the housing spectrum, prioritizing the needs of all our relatives, including children, youth, elders, those with disabilities, LGBTQAI2S and other intersectional identities.

 

Mission:
STTARS advocates for safe housing for all our relatives.  We do this work through centering our Indigeneity, acknowledging our relationship to Earth Mother, building on each other’s gifts, resisting oppression and erasure, and acting upon the prayers of our ancestors to honor diversity and create belonging for us all.

 

Framework:
STTARS works at the intersection of housing insecurity/homelessness and gender-based violence from a human rights perspective.  We understand the complexity and the enormity of the nexus between housing instability and gender-based violence across Tribal Nations, Alaska Native Villages, Native Hawaiians, and off-reservation tribal communities.  We know that housing is prevention and actively promotes a public health approach to the work.

 

Event Description:
STTARS/NIWRC is seeking an experienced event planner to successfully plan, organize, and implement a National Indigenous Housing Justice Summit in Albuquerque, NM, in June 2025. The attendance goal is 200-250. STTARS/NIWRC will be working with a local planning committee to develop the agenda, identify the speakers and presentation topics and any special events. This is a first-time undertaking to bring together tribal domestic violence programs and shelters and tribal housing experts.  Our goal is to strengthen and, in some cases, build the bridge between these two critical entities.  To accomplish our goal, we seek the assistance of a professional event planner who is organized, energetic, flexible, and adaptable, with skills including problem-solving and strong written and verbal communication, who can work with the STTARS/NIWRC staff & board, and local planning committee.

 

Our Vision for the Summit is to create synergy and build a powerful connection between Indigenous gender-based violence and housing programs.  The Summit will create a unique peer-to-peer sharing and networking opportunity for tribal advocates and programs. The Summit will also be instrumental in identifying and advocating for safe housing options for all our relatives.  The event will be for 2 ½ days.

Scope of Work:
To realize the above, STTARS seeks an innovative event planner to provide the following services:        

General Management

  • Coordinate and run bi-weekly Planning Committee Meetings
  • Support Planning Committee activities, including assistance in developing a timeline and work plan, presenter/speaker and sub-awardees travel and hotel accommodations, and honorarium
  • Work within the parameters of the final event budget
  • Coordinate project management and file software system
  • Reconciliation of finances with NIWRC finance team

Summit/Event Management

  • Manage and coordinate general Summit logistics, such as catering, venue coordination, contracts, staging, special events, floor plans, seating plans, décor, technical equipment, presentation, and any other relevant tasks as required
  • Coordinate available vendor spaces
  • Coordinating with the STTARS and their personnel on any promotion/PR activities that they may consider or provide                                                                  
  • Submit a post-Summit evaluation report with recommendations to STTARS/NIWRC
  • Other duties as assigned, agreed by both parties                                                            

Event Marketing

  • Assist with the Implementation of marketing and communication plan
  • Ensure timely execution of all creative materials associated with the event.  This includes invitations, letters, press kits, press materials, table signs, sponsor signage, advertising materials, etc.                                           

Registration Management

  • Coordinate with IT team to develop the Registration process
  • Work with the committee to finalize ticket pricing, Which includes printing, name tags, and day of set-up
  • Management of event software for registration

Day-of Summit

  • In coordination with the STTARS Director, supervise all aspects of the Summit and implementation of logistics
  • Work with staff to set up event, run walkthrough, and establish points of contact with people for emergent needs of the gala

Post-Summit

  • Coordinate evaluation and lessons learned meeting with staff and then staff and board.
  • Reconcile financial report

Other         

  • Meet regularly as required with the STTARS and planning committee members to provide updates on progress, issues, resources and budget matters.
  • Other tasks as defined

Schedule of Key Dates:

  • RFP Circulated: Monday, December 16, 2024
  • Proposal Due Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
  • Anticipated Decision Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
  • Anticipated Start Date of Project Work: Monday, February 10, 2025
  • Project Performance End Date: July 31, 2025

 

Request for Proposal Process:
This RFP represents the opportunity to be involved in the delivery of the STTARS/NIWRC National Indigenous Housing Justice Summit. This is a one-time event contract. The duration of the contract is approximately 8 months. STTARS/NIWRC will negotiate a contractual agreement with the preferred consultant. By responding to the RFP, the applicant understands that they will be fully responsible for meeting the requirements of the RFP and will ask and execute the necessary tasks to make sure that the event is successfully completed. The RFP Committee has the right to accept or reject any and all submissions/responses to this RFP in whole or in part.

                                                                          

Questions:
Participants may ask questions about the RFP by sending them in writing via email to gpackard@niwrc.org. Participants are asked NOT to contact any committee or board members involved with STTARS/NIWRC.

  • Confidentiality: All submissions will be treated as confidential between the RFP Committee and each participant. The RFP Committee will not disclose RFP contents to other participants or the general public. STTARS/NIWRC reserves the right to discuss submissions with consultants and related parties.                     
  • Contractual status: The RFP Committee and STTARS/NIWRC are not bound to accept any RFP. Participants should be aware that no contractual relationship with STTARS/NIWRC will arise upon submission to the RFP. All submissions become the property of STTARS/NIWRC.                                           

 

All applicants must submit the following information:

  • Name and # of employee.
  • Address
  • Short description of work history in planning fundraising events/galas
  • Description of event planning services offered
  • Two (2) event references (including a description) for events of similar size/type that the event planner has coordinated
  • Explanation and listing of all costs and fees the applicant proposes to charge for event planning services
  • The proposal shall not exceed 25 pages, single-spaced, 11-point font, and 1-inch margins (excluding the cover page and the appendices).
  • The subcontractor must clearly state their ability to complete the project within the stated time frame.


Respondents must submit the proposal electronically to: STTARS/NIWRC, ATTN: National Indigenous Housing Justice Summit RFP Committee at gpackard@niwrc.org. Proposals must be received by the End of the Day, January 17, 2025.

Learn more>>

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. The purpose of this RFP is to establish a contract with a qualified event planner to organize, promote, coordinate, and support the Women Are Sacred Conference, including concept development, planning, coordination of travel and hotel logistics, overall event management logistics support including the day-of event coordination, registration, and logistical support. For more detailed information, see the Scope of Work below.

 

Event Dates: Tuesday July 29-Thursday July 31, 2025

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

Background:
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with our main office in Lame Deer, Montana, and our staff and board of directors consisting of Native women from throughout the United States with extensive experience and commitment to ending violence against Native women and their children. Our primary goals are to support the sovereignty of Tribes and the development of Tribal programs and advocates as they build capacity in serving and advocating for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian victim-survivors of violence in their communities. The NIWRC provides national leadership in ending gender-based violence in Tribal communities by lifting the collective voices of grassroots advocates and offering culturally grounded resources, technical assistance and training, and policy development to strengthen Tribal sovereignty.

 

Mission:
Our mission is to provide national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women by supporting culturally grounded, grassroots advocacy.

 

Framework:
The Women Are Sacred Conference is a collaborative effort, with NIWRC as the lead organization in partnership with 14 + other cosponsoring organizations.

 

Event Description:

This is the first attempt to have an Event Planner in a support position for the WAS conference. NIWRC is seeking an experienced event planner to successfully plan, organize, and support the lead organizing staff for this event. The attendance goal is 600-800.

NIWRC will work with a national planning committee to develop the agenda and identify the speakers, presentation topics, and any special events. We are seeking the assistance of a professional event planner who is organized, energetic, flexible, and adaptable, with skills including problem-solving and strong written and verbal communication, who can work with the NIWRC staff and national planning committee.

 

Women Are Sacred Conference has a long history of landmark achievements that continue to grow and gain momentum with each biannual event. It is a multi-faceted, culturally specific, and grassroots advocacy-based endeavor that continues each year to be informed by the last. This event provides a safe and fruitful environment for relatives to meet from across 500+ Tribal Nations and communities to network, listen, learn, and support each other with the ultimate goal of increasing the safety of native women and relatives in our Tribal communities.  The event will be for three days.

Scope of Work:
To realize the above, NIWRC seeks an innovative event planner to provide the following services:        

General Management

  • Support Lead staff in the coordination of the National Planning Committee meetings. Maintain lists for participants for meetings and committees for contact and notices. Help organize and participate in staff calls and national WAS calls to be informed and perform reminders and updates of deadlines and major tasks of the event.
  • Keep all logistical and key organizing deadlines and tasks in a calendar for the event, including reminders of deadlines. Examples: F&B deadlines, BEO deadlines, Rooming List Deadlines, Room Reservation Deadlines, Call for Proposal Deadlines, Presenter Materials Due to NIWRC target dates, OFVPS 90 days dates, and OFVPS review dates. etc. Dates Identified by lead staff during meetings.     
  • Work within the parameters of the event budget
  • Printing and promotional item vendors sourcing: Work with Lead staff for printing and ordering for the event to include, but not limited to name badges, surveys/evaluations, signage for registration and sessions, the Event Program, t-shirts, bags, or other promotional items. Getting quotes from vendors, organizing, tracking deadlines and key tasks, and keeping of files for printing. All finals are approved by the Lead staff before printing/ordering occurs.
  • Coordinate project file management with Lead staff using Google Drive and docs.

Event Management

  • Manage and coordinate with Lead staff the general logistics, such as catering, venue coordination, contracts, staging, special events, floor plans, seating plans, décor, technical equipment, presentation, and any other relevant tasks as required
  • The hotel contract will be set in place. They require notifications for selections and changes in our needs along the way. The Event Planner, in accordance with and support to Lead Staff, will be a main conduit of these types of notifications with the hotel. They will keep the main lists, confirm and copy all changes/ communication with Lead staff for transparency since all changes are in consideration of the overall budget the team oversees. Frequent and transparent communication is a must in this section of support.
    • F&B, BEO, final headcounts, etc.
    • Rooming list
    • AV needs for all sessions
    • Reviewing of BEOs with required staff for final numbers. Review of the final bill for any edits with required staff.
    • Follow up with the Hotel as needed. 
  • Onsite pre-event organizing:
    • Assist in set up and breakdown of all WAS stations.
      • Help Desk
      • Info table
      • Registration
      • Safe Room
      • Others as decided by Lead staff
    • Receive all packages shipped to WAS venue (our vendor(s) and NIWRC boxes) This will require the tracking of shipping to be received onsite. Get packages to needed areas for resources tables or use in sessions and or bag stuffing. 
    • Bag stuffing for registration day: Maintain a list of identified items that will be stuffed into the bags for the event. Stuff and count out set number of bags.
    • Stuffing and prep of name badges. This number will go according to registration.
  • Items runner: There will be items to be picked up and brought back in a timely manner to support the event.
  • Designated Key Carriers for all spaces. Lead staff are Key Carriers but we need additional carriers to assist in getting in and out of spaces such as Safe Room, Quiet Room, and session rooms after or before session times as needed or required by agenda.
  • Work with Lead staff to coordinate vendor process.
    • Pre-registration & onsite check in
    • Follow up and communication for vendor information and notices
    • Create assigned spaces/ map
    • Payment confirmation
    • Responsive to vendor needs before and onsite        
  • Other duties as assigned, agreed by both parties                                                           

Event Marketing

  • Assist with Implementation of marketing and communication plan
  • Ensure timely execution of all creative materials associated with the event.  This includes invitations, letters, press kits, press materials, table signs, sponsor signage, advertising materials, etc.                                   

Registration Management (These processes need to all work together and be consistent with each other.)

  • Coordinate with Lead staff for the onsite registration set up:
    • Check-in of all participants
    • Processing onsite registration if required
    • Taking payment if not paid
  • Work with Lead staff to support check-in
    • Presenters
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Track
    • Vendors
  • Work with Lead staff to finalize ticket pricing
  • Management of event software for registration
    • Registration of all participants will go through this system
      • Paid Participants
      • Unpaid Participants
      • Youth Track
      • Staff registrations
      • Cosponsor registration
      • Scholarship Participants

Day-of Event

  • In coordination with the Lead Staff, supervise all aspects of the event and implementation of logistics
  • Assist with the Help desk: People will be checking in throughout second day, many asking questions of where things are or how to get places. NIWRC staff will also be in support mode for this
  • Work with staff to set up event, run walkthrough, and establish points of contact with people for emergent needs of the gala
  • Check in of all participants (see details in registration section)

Post-Event

  • Coordinate evaluation and lessons learned meeting with staff and then staff and board.
  • Reconcile financial report

Other         

  • Meet regularly as required with Lead staff and planning committee members to provide updates on progress, issues, resources and budget matters.
  • Other tasks as defined

Schedule of Key Dates:

  • RFP Circulated: Monday, December 16, 2024
  • Proposal Due Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
  • Anticipated Decision Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
  • Anticipated Start Date of Project Work: Monday, February 3, 2025
  • Project Performance End Date: August 31, 2025

 

Request for Proposal Process:
This RFP represents the opportunity to be involved in the delivery of the Women Are Sacred Conference. This is a one-time event contract, with a duration of approximately February 2025 to August 2025. NIWRC will negotiate a contractual agreement with the preferred consultant. By responding to the RFP, the applicant understands that they will be fully responsible for meeting the requirements and will ask and execute the necessary tasks to ensure the event's successful completion. The RFP Committee has the right to accept or reject any or all submissions/responses to this RFP in whole or in part.

                                                                          

Questions:Participants may ask questions about the RFP by sending them in writing via email to tazure@niwrc.org. Participants are asked NOT to contact any committee or board members involved with NIWRC.

  • Confidentiality: All submissions will be treated as confidential between the RFP Committee and each participant. The RFP Committee will not disclose RFP contents to other participants or the general public. NIWRC reserves the right to discuss submissions with consultants and related parties.                   
  • Contractual status: The RFP Committee and NIWRC are not bound to accept any RFP. Participants should be aware that no contractual relationship with NIWRC will arise upon submission to the RFP. All submissions become the property of NIWRC.                                          

 

All applicants must submit the following information:

  • Name and # of employees.
  • Address
  • Short description of work history in planning fundraising events/galas
  • Description of event planning services offered
  • Two (2) event references (including a description) for events of similar size/type that the event planner has coordinated
  • Explanation and listing of all costs and fees the applicant proposes to charge for event planning services
  • The proposal shall not exceed 25 pages, single-spaced, 11-point font, and 1-inch margins (excluding the cover page and the appendices).
  • The subcontractor must clearly state their ability to complete the project within the stated time frame.


Respondents must submit the proposal electronically to: STTARS/NIWRC, ATTN: Women Are Sacred Conference 2025 at tazure@niwrc.org. Proposals must be received by the End of the Day, January 17, 2025, or earlier.

Learn more>>