AfriThrive, Inc. is seeking proposals from qualified consultant(s) or consulting firm to facilitate the
development of the Mid-County Food Infrastructure Resilience Plan, a collaborative strategic planning
initiative funded through the Montgomery County FY26 Nonprofit Strategic Planning Grant Program.
Each week, families across Mid-County turn to AfriThrive’s food access points for fresh, culturally appropriate food. These moments of connection and dignity happen because a food system holds them up, quietly, week after week.
AfriThrive is now taking a deliberate step to strengthen that system for the long term. The organization has opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Lead Strategic Planning & Systems Resilience Consultant to guide the development of the Mid-County Food Infrastructure Resilience Plan, a three-year roadmap funded through the Montgomery County FY26 Nonprofit Strategic Planning Grant Program.
Why This Plan Matters
Food access organizations across Mid-County are meeting rising community need while navigating growing compliance requirements and operational demands. Families deserve food systems built to last, not patched together season to season. This planning initiative gives AfriThrive and its partners a structured way to strengthen collaboration, build shared infrastructure, and plan for sustainability across the region.
This work reflects AfriThrive’s broader mission: nourish, educate, transform. It also reflects the organization’s ongoing evolution from temporary distribution toward permanent, community-rooted systems, the same arc that has carried AfriThrive from parking lot distributions to a refrigerated fleet, expanding cold storage capacity, and the renovated Essex Community Food Center.
What the Consultant Will Do
The selected consultant will serve as facilitator and strategic advisor, working closely with AfriThrive leadership and Mid-County partners across six phases:
- Project initiation: Finalize the work plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, and timeline (July–August 2026)
- Stakeholder engagement: Lead interviews, listening sessions, and partner convenings to assess the Mid-County food ecosystem (August 2026)
- Strategic planning: Draft the Three-Year Mid-County Food Infrastructure Resilience Plan, including priorities, goals, and implementation framework (September 2026)
- Review and refinement: Incorporate feedback from AfriThrive, partners, and stakeholders (October–November 2026)
- Final delivery: Submit the final plan and present it to AfriThrive leadership, partners, and Montgomery County representatives (December 2026)
- Ongoing coordination: Participate in regular check-ins throughout the engagement
Who Should Apply
AfriThrive welcomes proposals from consultants and firms with demonstrated experience in strategic planning for nonprofits, cross-sector collaboration, or collective impact initiatives. Strong candidates bring skills in systems thinking, stakeholder facilitation, and organizational development, along with the ability to turn many perspectives into one clear, workable strategy. Experience in food systems, food security, public health, or community development is a strong plus.
The engagement carries a fixed-fee budget of up to $45,000. AfriThrive will provide project coordination support, meeting venue costs, and interpretation or translation services separately, so consultants can focus their proposed budget on professional fees and direct project needs.
How to Apply
Interested consultants should submit:
- A letter of interest
- A technical proposal outlining approach and methodology
- A résumé or organizational profile
- Examples of comparable strategic planning engagements
- A proposed timeline and fixed fee
- Three professional references
Deadline: Proposals are due electronically as a single PDF no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2026.
Submit to: Martin Simba, Senior Manager of Impact & Innovation, at [email protected]. Please include “Strategic Planning Consultant Proposal” in the subject line.
AfriThrive is committed to a fair and competitive process and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds with experience serving nonprofit organizations and underserved communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mid-County Food Infrastructure Resilience Plan? It is a three-year strategic roadmap that will strengthen collaboration, improve operational resilience, and identify shared infrastructure opportunities across food access organizations in Montgomery County’s Mid-County region.
Who is funding this initiative? The planning process is funded through the Montgomery County FY26 Nonprofit Strategic Planning Grant Program.
What is the budget for this consulting engagement? The total budget available is up to $45,000, covering all professional fees and anticipated project expenses. AfriThrive separately covers project coordination, meeting venues, and interpretation services.
When are proposals due? Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2026, submitted as a single PDF to [email protected].
What experience is AfriThrive looking for? AfriThrive is looking for consultants with a track record in nonprofit strategic planning, cross-sector collaboration, systems thinking, and stakeholder facilitation. Experience in food systems or public health is preferred.
AfriThrive, Inc. www.afrithrive.org | [email protected] | 240-706-1517 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
