Strategic Communications Consultant - Request for Proposals

OVERVIEW

Building Healthy Communities Monterey County (BHCMC), a program of Action Council of Monterey County, is seeking a Strategic Communications Consultant to help build the narrative foundation and communications infrastructure the organization needs to advance its 2026–2028 strategic plan.

BHCMC activates resident voice and power to build an inclusive, anti-racist democracy and safe thriving communities. Our work is in service of and led by Black, Brown, and Indigenous youth and resident leaders looking to transform key institutions to be anti-racist and community-centered.

This is a moment of significant momentum for BHCMC — the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan is launching, the brand is refreshing, and fundraising goals are growing. To make the most of this moment, the organization is investing in building a stronger narrative strategy and communications infrastructure to tell the story of its work with greater intention and consistency. This engagement is designed to accelerate that.

TIMELINE & ENGAGEMENT PERIOD

Engagement Period: April 2026 – Mid-July 2026 (approximately 4.5 months)

Proposal Deadline: March 20, 2026

Selection Notification: March 27, 2026

Contract Start: April 1, 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

BHCMC is in a period of significant organizational development:

• 2026–2028 Strategic Plan launching April 2026 with clear campaign goals across five program areas: Thriving Neighborhoods, Education Equity, Youth Leadership, Resilience Hubs, and Black Power-Building
• Brand refresh underway with new logo and identity formally launching in 2026
• New website and giving platform launching mid-2026
• Aggressive fundraising goals requiring donor-facing communications that reflect the organization's impact and values
• Communications Manager on leave from end of March through June 2026

The core gap: BHCMC's campaign teams are doing powerful organizing work, and the organization is at a moment where it's ready to match that work with a more proactive, unified communications strategy. As the teams have grown and campaigns have deepened, communications capacity has not yet scaled to support long-term narrative planning — creating an opening to build out a strategic editorial arc that connects and amplifies the work already happening on the ground. The incoming consultant will help build that infrastructure, moving from a model of responding to team needs toward one of proactively shaping and driving campaign narratives forward.

SCOPE OF WORK

This engagement is focused on three priority areas. We are looking for a consultant who can both develop strategy and help draft and build content in collaboration with staff teams, not only advise.

1) Narrative Strategy & Campaign Toolkits

• Develop a unified BHC core narrative framework aligned with the 2026–2028 strategic plan, mission, and values
• Using the Narrative Strategies created by the team, create campaign narrative toolkits for each organizing team — the "what are we trying to do and how do we talk about it" for Thriving Neighborhoods, Education Equity, Youth Leadership, Resilience Hubs, and Black Power-Building
• Work directly with each team to understand their campaign goals and co-develop their narrative strategy (not delivered to teams, built with teams)
• Establish a 12-month editorial arc for newsletter and social content so communications are driven by campaign milestones, not blank-slate requests
• Develop internal tools and templates that enable staff to get consistent communications and promotion support for campaigns and events
• Produce transition documentation so the returning Communications Manager can implement from day one

2) Executive Communications

• Develop an executive visibility strategy positioning the ED as a thought leader in racial justice, community organizing, and healing-informed leadership
• Draft op-eds, talking points, and thought leadership content aligned with campaign moments and the strategic plan launch
• Identify speaking engagement opportunities and build a conference calendar for 2026–2027
• Develop statewide messaging that articulates what makes BHCMC unique as a healing-informed organizing model

3) Newsletter & Content Systems

• Audit current newsletter approach and develop a strategic template, editorial calendar, and content planning process
• Establish a clear process for how teams contribute content (proactive, campaign-driven) rather than a reactive ask-and-receive model
• Develop donor-facing communications aligned with fundraising goals
• Provide guidance and support during the Communications Manager's leave to ensure newsletter and content continuity

KEY DELIVERABLES

1. BHC Core Narrative Framework
2. Campaign narrative toolkits for each of the 5 organizing teams
3. 12-month editorial arc and newsletter content calendar
4. Executive Communications Plan with speaking calendar and content
5. Internal communications templates and campaign content planning tools
6. Transition documentation for returning Communications Manager

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in narrative strategy and storytelling for social justice, community organizing, or advocacy organizations
• Track record of developing campaign communications that are both culturally grounded and strategically driven
• Experience building executive visibility and thought leadership platforms
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff teams to build — not just advise — communications content and tools
• Understanding of racial justice frameworks and genuine commitment to equity
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
• Experience in Monterey County or Central Coast communities a plus

BUDGET

Budget for this engagement: $15,000-$25,000

Please include your proposed budget with your submission, including hourly rate or project fee and estimated hours.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Please submit a proposal (maximum 5 pages) that includes:

• Brief description of your relevant experience and qualifications
• Your approach to this engagement, including how you work with organizational teams to develop narrative strategy
• 2–3 examples of similar work (narrative frameworks, campaign messaging guides, executive communications, or editorial content planning)
• Proposed budget and fee structure with estimated hours by scope area
• Availability during the engagement period (March–July 2026)
• 2–3 references from similar engagements

Questions: Contact Andrea Manzo at 831-783-1244

BHCMC is committed to equity in our hiring and contracting. We strongly encourage applications from consultants who reflect the communities we serve.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred