RFP: Needs Assessment of LGBTQ+ Communities in New York City

Request for Proposals (RFP): Needs Assessment of LGBTQ+ Communities in New York City

Issued by: The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP)

Organizational Background

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.

Founded in 1980 in response to a series of violent attacks against gay men in New York City, AVP has grown into the city’s leading organization addressing violence affecting LGBTQ+ communities. AVP provides comprehensive services to LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, including a 24-hour bilingual crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, community organizing, and public education.

Through its work with survivors, community members, and service providers across New York City, AVP has developed significant insight into the challenges affecting LGBTQ+ communities and the systems that respond to violence.

Purpose

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) seeks proposals from qualified researchers, consultants, or interdisciplinary teams to conduct a comprehensive Needs Assessment of LGBTQ+ Communities in New York City.

Through its direct services—including a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, legal services, and community outreach—AVP gathers important insight into the experiences of individuals seeking support. While service data provides valuable information about survivors who engage with AVP programs, it does not fully capture the broader landscape of needs, challenges, and resources across New York City’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

This needs assessment will help develop a more comprehensive understanding of community needs beyond existing service data.

The findings are intended to inform programmatic planning across the LGBTQ+ ecosystem in New York City and provide a data-informed foundation for identifying service gaps and strengthening responses to violence and other challenges affecting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. AVP intends for the final assessment to be made publicly available and shared with key stakeholders, including government partners such as the new mayoral administration, the New York City Council, and other relevant agencies and community leaders.

Goals of the Needs Assessment

1 - Examine Issues Affecting LGBTQ+ Communities in New York City

Develop a clearer understanding of the issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals and communities across New York City. As part of the research design, the consultant will propose which indicators of community wellbeing and key variables that affect welling should be captured in the needs assessment Potential areas of inquiry may include:

• Safety and harm including violence
• Discrimination and bias incidents
• Economic security and employment
• Housing stability
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Access to supportive services including community and spirituality

The selected consultant will work collaboratively with AVP to refine the final set of variables and research questions during the research design phase.

2 - Identify Service Gaps and Barriers

Assess the availability of services and support systems across New York City and identify barriers that LGBTQ+ individuals may face when seeking support, including legal services, counseling, housing assistance, healthcare, and economic resources.

3 - Diversity, Equity, and Intersectionality

New York City is home to one of the most diverse LGBTQ+ populations in the world. The needs assessment must be designed with an understanding of the intersectional experiences that shape the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Consultants should describe how their research design will ensure representation across the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities and capture experiences at the intersection of multiple identities.

The research should consider factors such as:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender identity and gender expression
• Sexual orientation
• Spirituality
• Documentation status
• Immigration status
• Language access
• Age
• Disability status
• HIV status
• Economic status
• Housing stability
• Borough and neighborhood

Attention should be given to communities that have historically faced barriers to safety and resources, including transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, LGBTQ+ immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, Black and Latine LGBTQ+ communities, and others experiencing intersecting forms of marginalization.

4 - Community Engagement and Outreach

Community participation is a central component of this needs assessment.

The project will draw on AVP’s network of volunteers, stipend outreach workers, and community partners to support outreach and participation across New York City. Consultants should describe how their methodology will support meaningful engagement and participation from diverse communities.

Project Phases

Phase 1: Research Design and Data Collection

• Work with AVP leadership, volunteers, and outreach partners to develop research questions and data collection tools
• Design and implement surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other engagement tools
• Conduct data collection through multiple methods including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and listening sessions
• Monitor participation and adjust outreach strategies to ensure representation across communities
• Support AVP volunteers and stipend outreach workers in promoting participation in the research process

Phase 2: Data Analysis and Deliverables

• Produce a clean dataset and codebook from collected data
• Conduct analysis across qualitative and quantitative data sources
• Organize findings to support development of a report
• Provide technical review to ensure accuracy of data referenced in the reports

Deliverables

1 - Develop a Proposed Research Methodology

Consultants should propose a research approach outlining how information will be gathered, from whom, and through what methods. AVP anticipates a mixed-method approach that may include:

• Community surveys
• Focus groups
• Stakeholder interviews
• Community listening sessions
• Engagement with community-based organizations
• Analysis of existing datasets or research

AVP anticipates that a portion of the project funding may support organizational and community participation, including stipends for community-based organizations, outreach workers, and community members who contribute time and expertise to the research process.

2- Produce a Public Report to Inform Policy and Decision-Making

Develop a publicly available report summarizing findings and providing recommendations that may inform policy discussions, program development, and decision-making affecting LGBTQ+ communities in New York City.

Following completion of the report, AVP intends to engage policymakers, including the Mayor’s Office, the New York City Council, and other stakeholders. Consultants will not be responsible for leading the public rollout or policy engagement related to the final report. However, they may be invited to participate in presentations, briefings, or public events associated with the release of the findings

Application Instructions

AVP invites proposals from qualified consultants, research teams, or organizations to design and conduct a community needs assessment focused on LGBTQ+ communities in New York City. Proposals should clearly outline the applicant’s research approach, methodology, and capacity to implement the assessment.

Proposals must include the following:

• Organizational or Consultant Background
• A brief overview of the applicant, including relevant expertise and experience.
• Proposed Research Approach and Methodology
• A description of the proposed research design for the needs assessment, including key variables or domains of inquiry, data collection strategies (such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, or listening sessions), community engagement approaches, and plans for data analysis.
• Relevant Experience and Examples of Prior Work
• Examples of similar research, assessments, or community-based projects demonstrating relevant experience.
• Project Team and Roles
• Identification of key team members and their roles in carrying out the project.
• Proposed Timeline and Deliverables
• A proposed project timeline outlining key phases and anticipated outputs.
• Budget and Budget Narrative
• A detailed project budget and narrative explaining how funds will be allocated across the project.

Applicants are encouraged to propose mixed-method approaches combining quantitative and qualitative research and should demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and intersectionality of LGBTQ+ communities, including communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to safety and services.

The budget range for this project is $60,000–$80,000, which includes the project phases described in this RFP as well as stipends for organizational and community participation. The project will take place between April and October. Applicants should provide their best estimate of costs across all components of the project. Applications cannot exceed 10 pages.

Completed proposals should be submitted electronically clicking application link, by the deadline listed in this RFP.

Timeline

RFP and Selection Timeline

• March 18, 2026
  • RFP released and open for submissions
• March 18 – March 30, 2026
  • Two-week open period for proposal submissions
• March 31 – March 30, 2026
  • AVP review of submitted proposals
• By April 3, 2026
  • Consultant selection and decision communicated

Proposal Review Process

After the proposal submission deadline, AVP will conduct an internal review of proposals.

The review process will include:

• Initial review of submission; potential Interviews with selected applicants conducted by a review committee
• Committee recommendation for consultant selection

AVP anticipates selecting a consultant shortly after completion of the interview process.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience, qualifications and expertise of project team
• Strength of proposed research methodology
• Quality of proposed variables and research framework
• Community engagement approach
• Understanding of diversity and intersectionality within LGBTQ+ communities
• Budget clarity and cost effectiveness

Data Ownership, Confidentiality, and Use of Findings

All data collected as part of this needs assessment will be the property of the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP).

The consultant must ensure appropriate data security, confidentiality, and ethical research practices.

Upon completion of the project, the consultant will provide AVP with:

• The complete dataset
• A cleaned dataset and codebook
• Documentation of methodology and data structure

AVP reserves the right to use the dataset and findings for future research, advocacy, program development, and policy discussions.

Primary language: English. In addition, Spanish language proficiency is a bonus to assist in working with community members and partners.