Request for Proposals (RFP): Strategic Consultant – Youth Programs

Issued by: Jane/Finch Community & Family Centre (JFC)

Date Issued: November 24, 2025

Submission Deadline: December 5, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET)

Contact: David Chin, Settlement & Youth Manager ()

1. Background

The Jane/Finch Community & Family Centre (JFC) is a multi-service organization advancing equity, social inclusion, and wellbeing in the Jane–Finch community. 

The Youth Department delivers programs in violence prevention, girls’ empowerment, mental wellness, employment readiness, and leadership development—grounded in community-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practice centring racialized, newcomer, and other equity-deserving youth. 

JFC is seeking an experienced strategic consultant to help shape a forward-looking direction for its Youth Department.

2. Purpose

To develop an evidence-informed strategic framework that positions JFC’s youth programs for long-term relevance, impact, and sustainability within the youth development, community safety, and employment ecosystems.

3. Objectives

By project completion, JFC will have:

• A synthesized view of key sector trends, policy directions, and funding shifts.
• An internal assessment outlining program strengths, gaps, workflows, partnerships, and alignment.
• A high-level summary of relevant best practices in youth programming.
• Two to three strategic options with rationale, risks, resource considerations, and a recommended direction.

4. Scope of Work

Environmental Scan:

• Desk research on relevant policy/funding frameworks and research.
• 6–8 key informant interviews.
• Optional comparator scan of peer organizations.

 Internal Review:

• Review of program documents, outcomes data, and partnership materials.
• Interviews with youth staff and management.
• Youth engagement via interviews, focus group, or survey.

 Strategic Options & Recommendation:

• Development of 2–3 strategic options.
• Working session with JFC management.

 Implementation & Evaluation Considerations:

• High-level implementation outline.
• High-level evaluation approach aligned with funder expectations.

5. Deliverables

• Work plan and engagement schedule.
• Environmental Scan Summary.
• Internal Review Summary.
• Draft Strategic Framework and presentation.
• Final Report including recommendations and high-level implementation and evaluation considerations.
• Optional: 1-page Signals Brief.

6. Timeline

• RFP Release: November 25, 2025
• Proposal Deadline: December 5, 2025
• Consultant Selection / Contract: Early–Mid December 2025
• Project Start: Mid–Late December 2025
• Interviews & Analysis: January–February 2026
• Draft Framework: Early–Mid March 2026
• Final Deliverables: March 31, 2026

7. Budget

Up to $20,000 CAD (exclusive of HST), inclusive of professional fees, local travel, facilitation, and materials. Youth honoraria funded separately unless included by the proponent.

8. Consultant Qualifications

• Experience in youth development, community engagement, community safety, or social policy.
• Experience leading strategic reviews for non-profits.
• Strong grounding in equity and anti-oppression.
• Experience with Black, newcomer, or equity-deserving youth.
• Knowledge of the Jane–Finch community (asset).

9. Submission Requirements

Submit a single PDF including:

• Statement of interest and project understanding (max 2 pages).
• Methodology and work plan (max 2 pages).
• Qualifications and relevant experience.
• Budget and fee structure.
• Two references.
• One sample of a comparable review.
• Conflict of interest declaration.

Email submissions to with subject line: “JFC Youth Strategy RFP – [Proponent Name]”.

Deadline: December 5, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET).

10. Evaluation Criteria

• Proposed Methodology & Work Plan – 35%
• Relevant Experience – 35%
• Budget & Value for Money – 20%
• References & Writing Sample – 10%