About VT PoC

The Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) is a nonprofit organization advancing the social and economic prosperity of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community across Vermont. We help community members build relationships, access resources, pursue professional and entrepreneurial opportunities, and create lasting lives in Vermont.

VT PoC believes that systems supporting communities of color benefit the entire state. Our frameworks are guided by the following core values:

• Community: Creating opportunities to provide structure, relationships, affinity, safety, and openness.
• Growth: Fostering relationships with community members and organizations by engaging in mutual learning, challenges, risks, and personal development.
• Leadership: Using what we learn to advocate and lead by example, foster respect, and earn trust from the community.
• Service: Meeting the needs of the community with care, joy, respect, and humility.
• Equity: Disrupting traditional norms to build and dismantle oppressive systems because we are not free until we are all free.

About the Work

The Vermont Community Data Assessment report combines findings from VT PoC’s statewide BIPOC community survey data with publicly available data, bringing together lived experience and quantitative evidence to create one of the most comprehensive pictures to date of Vermont’s growing BIPOC community. To VT PoC, this represents more than a report. It is an opportunity to help shape how Vermont understands the opportunities, challenges, and contributions of its BIPOC community. 

VT PoC is seeking a qualified marketing and strategic communications consultant or firm to develop and execute a comprehensive launch strategy that maximizes the report’s visibility, credibility, and long-term influence. We are looking for a partner who can help introduce an important statewide resource, spark meaningful public conversation, engage decision-makers, and position VT PoC as a trusted source of data and insight on Vermont’s BIPOC community.

The report will be distributed to BIPOC community members, policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels, employers, educators, funders, researchers, and the broader Vermont public.

Experience Requirements

• Traditional press and media campaigns
• Digital marketing and social media campaigns 
• Impact and/or public policy campaigns
• Statewide campaigns
• Outreach strategy experience to multiple audiences

Project Scope

Strategy and Planning

• Develop a comprehensive launch communications strategy with clear goals, primary audiences, and messaging framework.
• Create a detailed campaign calendar covering pre-launch, launch day, and 30-60 day post-launch activities
• Advise on optimal timing, sequencing and channel prioritization.

Messaging and Content Development

• Craft core messaging and key narratives tailored to each target audience that fits within VT PoC tone and brand.
• Write and/or edit press materials including a press release, media pitch and backgrounder
• Develop a social media content plan and draft copy for launch and ongoing distribution across relevant platforms in partnership with VT PoC.
• Produce promotional copy for email campaigns, newsletters, and partner communications
• Develop accessible plain-language summaries or one-pagers suitable for non-specialist audiences.

Media Relations and Earned Media

• Identify relevant journalists, reporters, and media outlets
• Pitch the report to targeted media contacts and manage press inquiries
• Coordinate any embargoed press access prior to launch
• Track and report media coverage resulting from the campaign

Digital and Social Media

• Execute a social media campaign across platforms appropriate to the target audiences (eg LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook)
• Manage paid social media advertising within the allocated budget, if included in the proposal
• Optimize digital content for shareability and engagement
• Provide performance analytics and reporting

Partner and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with VT PoC to identify and engage allied organizations, coalitions, and influences who can amplify distribution.
• Develop a partner outreach toolkit (eg sample social copy, email language, graphics) for organizational allies to share
• Facilitate outreach to relevant policy audiences and advocacy networks.

Creative and Design Support

• Work with the VT PoC to design branded promotional assets (social tiles, banners, infographic snippets) for use across digital channels
• Ensure all visual materials are consistent with our organization’s branding guidelines.

Proposal Requirements

Proposal must include all of the following:

• Values alignment and why work with VT PoC
• Company overview and relevant experience, including project descriptions and roles
• Sample campaigns (links to relevant work)
• Proposed approach to this campaign
• Budget proposal
• 2 client references

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Alignment with VT PoC mission and values (20%)
• Portfolio examples of similar work (20%)
• Quality and feasibility of proposed approach and strategy (20%)
• Demonstrated ability to reach mutli-sector and diverse audiences – (20%)
• Budget and overall value (20%)

Budget

Our anticipated budget for this project is $8,000.00–$10,000.00, inclusive of all fees, expenses, and any paid media or advertising costs. Proposals should provide a detailed budget breakdown by service area. Vendors are encouraged to propose a phased scope of work if the full Scope of Work described cannot be delivered within this budget. 

Additionally, we value transparency in budgeting. Please clearly identify any assumptions, exclusions or items that would constitute additional costs beyond the proposal total. Thank you!

Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted via email to VT PoC at thefam@vtpoc.net with the subject line: RFP Response – Marketing Services for VT PoC – [Your Name/Firm Name]

All documents should be consolidated into one PDF file. Portfolio samples may be submitted as URLS to an online portfolio, but please embed these links into the proposal.

Deadline

Proposals must be received no later than 11:59 PM on August 10, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered. 

Questions

Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing to thefam@vtpoc.net no later than August 3, 2026. Responses to all questions will be shared with all prospective respondents. 

Terms and Conditions

• This RFP does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. VT PoC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technical irregularities, and to accept the proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the organization.
• Costs incurred in responding to this RFP are solely the responsibility of the respondent.
• All proposals, and supporting materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of VT PoC.
• The selected vendor will be required to sign a contract that includes standard nonprofit terms, confidentiality provisions, and intellectual property clauses assigning all work products to VT PoC.
• Vendors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest in their proposal.
• VT PoC is committed to supporting and employing people from underrepresented communities in the marketing and communications sector. We encourage proposals from all such vendors. 
• The selected vendor must provide a W9, Certificate of Insurance, and any other documentation requested by VT PoC.

VT PoC was created by a group of community members who represent the global majority with the goal of connecting our community. Over the last five years, we have operated with the following organizational mission: Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) exists to advance the social and economic prosperity of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) across the state.

Our team is a reflection of our desire to represent the community we serve. We represent different races, educational levels, cultural practices, sexual identities and orientations, abilities, immigration stories, work experiences, life experiences, and more. And these identities make us stronger as a team because each of us find strength and empowerment within our respective identities, and (we believe) we have built and organization that gives an opportunity for each person to shine.

Internally, we have worked to expand our own understanding of work culture, what professionalism means, and how we can accommodate different working, learning, and living styles. We are continuously working towards increasing accommodations as we grow and as our team expands; and we know this is going to take time because we're also working with a bigger system of constraints.