Graphic Design + Content Creation Consultant

Introduction

The Michigan Justice Fund (MJF), an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, is a funders’ collaborative that makes investments to stem the flow of individuals into the criminal justice system, support the investment of public dollars to community-driven alternatives to incarceration, and ensure that those who are returning home after incarceration receive the support they need to flourish. The Fund is comprised of Michigan-based and national funders dedicated to advancing justice reform and the economic mobility of individuals with criminal convictions in Michigan. For more information about the Michigan Justice Fund, and a current list of funders, please visit our website.

We are seeking a bold, imaginative partner to help bring our work to life. The purview of the Fund has grown substantially over the five years that we have been in existence, and we are looking to more robustly highlight the efforts being advanced throughout the state to end mass incarceration. Our team works across the criminal legal advocacy ecosystem and beyond to stimulate system change in Michigan. A key strategy of the Fund is amplifying the voices of communities and individuals with lived experience of the criminal legal system.

Qualifications

The ideal graphic designer or design agency should possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest and experience in creating work focused on social justice and advocacy.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software and tools.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with our team.
• Creative and innovative design sensibilities.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to managing multiple deadlines for projects simultaneously, including rapid response, and prioritizing each project effectively.
• Familiarity with Instagram and LinkedIn; knowledge of current design trends and best practices.
• Ability to use MJF’s Asana project management platform to receive and track design requests.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks efficiently.

Scope of Work

Website Updates

• Update wireframe to reflect the work that MJF is doing to advance criminal legal reform across the state. This includes our goals + objectives, key focus areas, and progress metrics. We would also like to include grantee highlights and other programmatic information. The overall look and feel of the website are not intended to be significantly altered and must adhere to CFSEM brand guidelines.
• Update webpage copy utilizing copy developed by the MJF team, recommending edits to improve clarity.
• Update website images utilizing photos provided by the MJF team.
• Make updates to reflect new grant opportunities, share MJF news and other updates. Following the initial comprehensive website update, future updates are likely to be monthly.

Quarterly Newsletter

• In collaboration with the MJF Team, develop a quarterly newsletter to be disseminated to the MJF listserv and shared on the MJF website.
• In collaboration with the MJF Team, develop a list of target audiences and recommend innovative strategies to expand MJF reach.

Annual Report

• MJF creates an annual report, to be completed April 30, 2026.
• The selected firm will need to meet monthly with the MJF team, with increasing meeting frequency as needed approaching the deliverable deadline. In the proposal, please outline your approach to client approval workflow for similar deliverables.
• Lead the design component of annual report development, consulting with the MJF team on look and feel.
• Collaborate with the MJF team on content development.
• Support with digital dissemination of the annual report.

Social Media/Press Releases/Project Communications

• In collaboration with the MJF Director and CFSEM comms team, support with social media posts (primarily LinkedIn and Instagram).
• Support with the development of press releases on major MJF initiatives/grants.
• Support with the outward facing MJF communications (convening materials i.e., agendas, signage, digital invitations, other related collateral)

Proposal Submission

Interested graphic designers or design agencies should submit the following:

• A statement expressing your interest in working with Michigan Justice Fund and our grantee partners. Please include your contact information, including phone number, email, and website address if any.
• A detailed portfolio showcasing relevant design projects and examples of work centering advocacy and social justice.
• A proposed timeline for the average turnaround time for any project.
• A cost estimate, including hourly rates or project-based fees.
• Two References from previous clients.
• The proposal should highlight key staff that would be assigned to the project, their experience and role.
• Please note that the selected firm will be required to provide proof of the following:

Proof of Insurance – Commercial General Liability AND Workers’ Compensation 

We require insurance to protect you as the independent contractor from claims that arise during business operations. Please provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your insurance agent evidencing the coverage you have in place. (See sample COI attached.)

• Commercial General Liability insurance in the following amounts: $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate for bodily injury and property damage.
• NOTE: CFSEM does not offer an exemption for CGL coverage.
• Workers’ Compensation.*
• Please add “Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan” to the policy as an additional insured.
• If the vendor is a sole proprietor or small business, sometimes they do not carry this insurance. The work around for this is to request a WC exemption from the state of Michigan. If this is the case, the email will be more extensive for the WC portion. They will be asked to complete the worksheet (form link below) for us but will also need to reach out to the state of Michigan for the exemption. This can only be requested over the phone. The state will send the vendor a form to complete and return. It will then be filed by the state. This process takes time (10+ days with the state) and is usually finalized after the contract has been signed. Legal is okay with this as long as we know the work is being done.
• Proof of Insurance: CFSEM requires you as a vendor to carry insurance to protect you and your business from unexpected costs of running a business. Please provide evidence of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, or an exemption, if applicable. This form of insurance covers the contractor, its employees, and including any subcontractors and its employees for work-related injuries and illnesses in accordance with Michigan’s Workers’ Compensation Disability Act. As you appear to be an individual (or a sole proprietor with no employees), please complete this form and provide additional information as required in the form.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance. This form of insurance covers the contractor, its employees, and including any subcontractors and its employees for work-related injuries and illnesses in accordance with Michigan’s Workers’ Compensation Disability Act.

i. Sole Proprietor (with no employees). If you are an individual or a sole proprietor with no employees, please complete this form and provide additional information as required in the form.

ii. All Other Business Forms. If you are a Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company, or Sole Proprietor with Employees, you must:

• Purchase workers’ compensation insurance coverage as evidenced by a Michigan certificate of workers’ compensation insurance, or
• Obtain an exemption from workers’ compensation coverage, by presenting a filed and stamped Form WC-337 - Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency Notice of Exclusion. You may qualify for the exclusion only if all of your employees can be excluded and no subcontractors are used in the operation of your business.
• See item 6 in the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity Employer Insurance Requirements to determine if your business may exclude employees.
• Those seeking to secure this exemption must contact the Bureau of Workers’ Disability Compensation as the form is not available online. The Bureau will schedule an interview with the applicant to determine if an exemption is appropriate.

Submission Deadline

Proposals must be submitted by Monday, July 7, 2025 at 5 pm ET. Please send materials to justicefund@cfsem.org.

Selection Process

The Michigan Justice Fund team will review all proposals and select the most qualified candidate or agency based on experience, portfolio quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with our mission and values. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or presentation. Our ideal contract start date is August 15, 2025.

We look forward to reviewing your submission and partnering with a talented graphic designer or design agency that shares our commitment to advancing criminal legal reform across Michigan.