Join us at the forefront of change in child welfare

RFP: Media Relations Consultant

I. Introduction

Think of Us was recently awarded $42.5M from a funder collaborative based on our proposal to make a family first system. We’re simultaneously launching a campaign to raise an additional ~$50M – towards this five year plan and naming this combined effort the $100 challenge to center lived experience in child welfare.

Think of Us has an existing communications team and lacks media relations expertise as it builds out its communications team. It needs to add capacity for a media relations expert to proactively seek earned media opportunities; support the communications team with responding to inbound media speaker engagement requests; and guide the organization and communications team with the finalization of foundational organizational messaging.  

II. Scope of Work

We are looking to bring on a temporary team member (3-6 months) to our media relations efforts and work with our existing team to finalize our core organizational messaging. This person will be responsible for advising Think of US leadership on media relations strategy, what opportunities are “newsworthy,” supporting the preparation of pitch documents, and supporting Think of Us with the finalization of its foundational and core messaging. 

We are looking to finalize a partner to hit the ground running as soon as possible on an hourly basis.  We anticipate the contract duration to be approximately 3-6 months with hours varying per week and month depending on the specific needs of the organization. The scope of work will include:

• Prepare pitch documents including press releases, unique pitches to earned media outlets (i.e. radio, television, podcasts, etc.), media outreach list(s),  and serve as the point of contact for these opportunities.
• Coordinate media attendance and management at events.
• Seek out opportunities in the news cycle for Think of Us to insert itself into the current narrative or create assets to be shared (i.e. op eds, blogs, letters to the editor, etc.)
• Provide advice and feedback on paid media opportunities.
• Work with the Think of Us leadership and communications team to finalize core messaging including, but not limited to; mission statement, tag line, vision statement, what we do/who we are statements, how we do it, and our value proposition.
• Review communications and media assets and advise on interim plans for general communications and templates for media relations efforts that can be used for the organization and campaigns noted above.
• Support the development of audience segmentation efforts and determine who we are communicating with, why, and the best way of reaching that audience.
• Work hand-in-hand with the CEO on talking points for speaking engagements, media opportunities, public speaking engagements and other communications opportunities that present themselves. 
• Assist the Think of Us with the renaming of the co-design sessions and the $100M campaign to be accessible to a child welfare audience and those without insight into the child welfare system.
• Provide media training for leadership and other key TOU staff. 
• Experience with crisis management and public relations crises. 

III. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on past relevant experience, short interview via Zoom, demonstrated ability to support reactive, proactive and crisis media relations efforts. Proposals should be submitted with billing terms that are on an hourly basis. Hourly rates should not exceed a $175 per hour.

IV. Submission Requirements

Deadline for submitting proposals is June 19, 2023. Please submit a short proposal detailing your capabilities and past experience via PDF, Powerpoint or Word. Proposals should be submitted to angela@thinkof-us.org and accounts@thinkof-us.org. Please send any questions via email.

V. Terms and Conditions

1. The organization issuing this RFP (hereinafter referred to as "the Organization") reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal submitted in response to this RFP, and to cancel the RFP at any time.

2. All information provided in response to this RFP will be considered proprietary and confidential, and will not be disclosed to any third party without the express written consent of the vendor.

3. Proposals must be submitted in the format and by the deadline specified in the RFP. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.

4. The Organization will not be responsible for any costs incurred by vendors in the preparation or submission of their proposals.

5. The Organization may, at its discretion, enter into negotiations with one or more vendors regarding the terms of a contract. However, the Organization is under no obligation to enter into a contract with any vendor.

6. By submitting a proposal, vendors agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of any contract entered into with the Organization, and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

7. The Organization may terminate a contract at any time if the vendor is found to be in breach of its obligations under the contract or applicable laws and regulations.

8. These terms and conditions are subject to change by the Organization at any time without notice.

9. By submitting a proposal, vendors agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

VI. About Think of Us

Think of Us is a research and design lab for the social sector. Led and guided by people who have been directly impacted by the child welfare system, we are a trusted partner across the field nationally. We publish groundbreaking research, work with cities, states, and tribes to co-design and implement solutions to long-standing challenges, and advise federal and state policy makers on effective, bipartisan solutions.

Find out more about us here.