Consultancy Request for Proposal

Open: May 19, 2025 at 5:30 pm

Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Proposals will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis

Notification: June 4 by 5:30 pm

Project Timeline: June 9 - December 5, 2025

Funding available: $30,000

Submissions and Point of Contact: Kelly Ault, VOBA Executive Director, kelly@vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org

RFP Submission Requirements

Please include information that would help VOBA determine your qualifications for this scope of work, such as:

• Verifying independent contractor status

• Mission, type of consulting engaged in, how long been in business, etc.

• Credentials of who would staff the project

• Location of staff and/or ability to travel around Vermont

• Examples of past experience, projects demonstrating related competencies

• Frameworks, approaches, specific steps you would take to complete the project

• References

• Insurance (if applicable)

About Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA)

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) was established in 2018 as a statewide nonprofit organization, currently encompassing 150 member businesses, organizations, and entities that produce outdoor goods and services and drive Vermont's $2.1 billion outdoor economy in all of Vermont’s recreation communities. 

VOBA’s charitable purpose is to educate Vermonters on outdoor recreation and businesses on business development, collaboration initiatives, and outdoor recreation policy. VOBA and its members are dedicated to conservation of the natural landscape, stewardship of recreation infrastructure, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in work spaces and outdoor places. 

In 2024, VOBA participated in Move Forward Together Vermont (MFTV), the statewide strategic planning process administered by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) which launched a vision and set of priorities for outdoor recreation. VOBA’s 2025 - 2030 workplan will advance the MFTV themes of Economic Development, Stewardship and Wellness, objectives of Climate Resilience and Equity, and VOBA impact areas in Innovation and Sustainability and Career Pathways.

Membership and Education Consultancy Scope

VOBA seeks consultancy services for a six-month period to support growing and engaging the organization’s membership, developing a networking and education event series, and planning the seventh annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit.

Specifically, the consultant will work with the VOBA Executive Director, Board of Directors, VOBA consultants (outdoor careers and business development, marketing, public relations), members, and partners on goals and approaches to the following activities as determined by the Board and in alignment with Move Forward Together Vermont priorities, partners and funders.

Membership

• Assess VOBA’s business database to inventory existing and new relationships with membership and leadership growth potential.

• Develop FY26 (7/1 - 6/30) membership and donor campaign to deepen and expand VOBA’s base and revenues by attracting new members, retaining existing ones, and cultivating donors and sponsors.

• Develop communications which convey VOBA’s organizational impact and project outcomes, and promote membership benefits and spotlight stories.

• Schedule meetings with members / prospective members / prospective donors to share VOBA’s work and identify ways VOBA can support the outdoor sector.

• Energize members by making business and partner network connections, plugging into VOBA activities, marketing businesses, fulfilling entitled benefits and tracking impact.

Events

• Facilitate VOBA member and partner network relationship building, learning, and collaborations by organizing networking and education events in different regions around the state.

• Design strategic conversations and presentations with members and partners that advance the priority objectives of Move Forward Together Vermont (MFTV) in the areas of climate resilience and equity and the impact areas of innovation and sustainability and career pathways.

• Coordinate speakers / attendee recruitment and facilitate promotions / marketing communications.

• Manage venues, logistics, budgeting, evaluation, and reporting.

Summit

• Convene planning committee to design the seventh annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit and VOBA membership meeting in late fall for ~200 attendees.

• Identify summit goals and key conversations based on MFTV and VOBA’s 5 - year workplan in designing workshops and aspects of the event, including the fifth annual Trailblazer Legacy Award and the second annual Outdoor Pitchfest.

• Secure a location and work with venue liaison on logistics. Craft and track event workplan, timeline, and budget.

• Recruit and manage facilitators on workshop design and content.

• Confirm and support key speakers such as keynote and panelists.

• Solicit sponsorships and registration revenues as determined by budget.

• Manage selection process for the Legacy Award and Outdoor Pitchfest.

• Develop communications for marketing / media and manage registration process.

• Manage volunteers, run of show and logistics day-of summit.

• Manage post-event correspondence, evaluation, reporting, and budgeting.

Areas of Desired Expertise

• Membership Recruitment and Retention: Developed a membership campaign that engaged and fostered a strong sense of community and leadership.

• Fundraising: Developed organizational fundraising strategies, donor campaigns, or sponsorships that supported events, educational initiatives, and operations.

• Communications: Developed marketing materials to promote purpose and garner involvement in activities. Experience with communication channels for email newsletters and platforms for social media.

• Collaboration: Worked closely with staff and community teams to achieve shared goals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse audiences.

• Events Strategy and Planning: Developed education and events strategy, aligned with mission and goals and cultivated changemakers.

• Event Management: Oversaw networking events, educational programs, and/or conferences, including workshops, webinars, and peer learning cohorts.

• Coordination and Logistics: Coordinated all aspects of events, including venue selection, catering, AV equipment, staffing, and volunteer management.

• Reporting, Evaluation, and Budgeting: Experience with tracking information, evaluation tools and impact reporting. Successfully managed budgets based on event / program targets.

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Demonstrated commitment to principles and practice.

VOBA Performance Standards, Evaluation Criteria

VOBA will evaluate independent contractors based on organizational procurement procedures and standard bid process that ensure:

• Alignment with VOBA’s social and economic impact values and those of partners.

• Implementation of a fair, accessible, open, competitive, and equitable process.

• Adherence to standards and requirements associated with the receipt of grant funds from the state and federal government (if applicable).

VOBA will give preference to independent contractors that demonstrate a:

• Commitment to quality outdoor products and services.

• Dedication to positive social and economic impact.

• Connection to the outdoors.

• Location that is headquartered or based in Vermont or a VOBA member.

• Practice of uplifting historically-excluded populations.

VOBA Review Process

The VOBA contracting process includes review of proposals by a selection committee using a rubric based on the above scope, expertise, and criteria. Interviews may be requested. Priority will be given to consultancies, however, individuals may be considered for this scope of work.

Proposals will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis. If a selection is made prior to the RFP deadline, the process will be closed. www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org