2023
WILLOW PLACE – REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Fundraising Consultant
Organizational Overview
We support Manitobans in nurturing healthy relationships in a safe space. Our vision for Willow Place within the next five years is a holistic expansion of our capabilities and reach, building a comprehensive
support system for those affected by gender-based violence in our community and beyond.
Project Background
Willow Place has outgrown our current space and is seeking to plan and execute a capital campaign for a new building to broaden and enhance our service delivery capabilities with the necessary resources to sustainably support this evolution. We aim to retrofit a new building as a beacon of safety and transformation, embodying our commitment to healing and growth.
Our vision for this project is a new emergency and transitional housing for women, children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals who have been affected by gender-based violence. Willow Place’s pursuit of suitable shelter accommodations has spanned numerous years, reflecting the pressing need to enhance its capacity. The existing facilities are inadequate to serve the needs of Willow Place’s residents. Moreover, the number of bed nights for the past year (13,446) has increased by more than 3,500 from the year prior (9,764). The need for a larger shelter is evident as the shelter frequently operates at full capacity or above capacity. This endeavor aims to provide a safe haven and comprehensive support services to best meet the needs of those who have experienced gender-based violence. The proposed project envisions the establishment of a shelter that can accommodate 48 beds with approximately 43 emergency beds and 5 transitional beds. Furthermore, the facility will house 14 offices and common areas designed to cater to the Participants’ needs. These communal spaces include a commercial and teaching kitchen, dining area, classroom, lounge, childminding room, workshop room, spiritual space, and medical examination room.
Key Consultancy Objective
Willow Place seeks to engage an experienced fundraising consultant or consulting firm to provide strategy, direction, counsel, accountability, design, and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to raise the money needed to support our new building. The consultant will work in consultation with the Willow Place Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the volunteer capital campaign committee to design and implement their plans.
Key Deliverables and Outcomes
- The Case for Support. This is the document that explains the campaign publicly. It must be clear, and concise and include financial goals for campaign programs and projects. The case must also be an inspiring and deeply persuasive demonstration that our new building is necessary, highlighting the unique qualities and needs of Willow Place. The expected outcome is to have a text with persuasive language that convinces potential donors that the need for a new building is valid, urgent, and compelling.
2. Create and implement a project plan that includes:
- A campaign overview that outlines milestones, activities, budgets, targets, and timelines.
- Roles, responsibilities, and deliverables of those involved in implementing the campaign, and lines of communication and accountability.
- Current and new donor prospects to be targeted and the strategies to be employed for targeting them.
- Creation and oversight of a gift matrix.
- Key messages, target audiences, and marketing and communication initiatives.
- Fundraising events/initiatives.
- Recognition of donors.
3. Management of volunteer capital campaign committee that includes:
- Drafting and communicating job descriptions and expectations to members.
- Maintaining regular communication to keep members up-to-date on campaign progress and upcoming milestones.
- Advise committee in decision-making and establishing targets and timelines.
- Monthly reports to Willow Place tracking progress and outlining any decisions that need to be made as necessary.
- Adequate funds raised to support Willow Place’s goal to retrofit a new building.
- An assessment of the increase in donor engagement and monthly donors following the end of the campaign.
Time Commitment
This contract is part-time and is expected to begin in December 2023. It is anticipated that it will take 3 years to raise the necessary funds. Willow Place expects to move into a new building in 2026 and for the fundraising campaign to wrap up in 2025.
Profile of Consultant/Firm
1. Understanding and affirmation of Willow Place’s mission and values.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of fundraising multi-million dollar campaigns.
3. Excellent project management skills, as demonstrated through successful management of personnel, schedule, and budget to complete deliverables on past consulting projects.
4. Proven track record in facilitating communication and collaboration among various organizational departments and positions.
5. Experience with a variety of donor streams such as individual gifts, endowments, online fundraising, social media fundraising, and institutional grants from foundations and government.
6. Demonstrated experience and success in a variety of marketing tools such as direct mail, website, social media, phone soliciting, presentations to philanthropist individuals and groups, etc.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of, and connections to, the philanthropic and donor landscape in Winnipeg.
8. Collaborative and inclusive communications style.
9. CFRE designation an asset.
Proposal
Proposals should include:
1. A letter of interest that outlines your interest, qualifications, and availability.
2. A fee schedule.
3. Current CV/resume for a single consultant, or CVs for up to three people who would be delivering services on behalf of a firm.
4. Information about 2-3 comprehensive fundraising campaigns you and/or your firm successfully planned, implemented, and executed.
5. Three references from past clients.
Proposals should be submitted on or before November 15th, 2023 to Willow Place, attention of Marcie Wood, Executive Director:
· By email: [email protected]
· Or by mail: P.O. Box 1786, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z9
2023
FVCM REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
The Family Violence Consortium of Manitoba (FVCM) is seeking an independent contractor to evaluate creating a collective impact backbone organization for the gender-based violence sector (in transition from Gender Equity Manitoba (formerly the Family Violence Prevention Program, Manitoba Government.
SCOPE OF WORK
Conduct a comprehensive review of the needs of current agencies funded by Gender Equity Manitoba (GEM), Province of Manitoba, and provide recommendations for creation of a collective impact backbone organization to support gender-based violence sector moving forward.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Is a network of community members, organizations and institutions who advance equity by learning together, and via aligning and integrating their actions to achieve population and system-level change.
The FAMILY VIOLENCE CONSORTIUM OF MANITOBA (FVCM)
Represents a network of over 30 family violence prevention organizations funded by GEM, and consisting of family violence shelters, second stage family violence programs and housing; resource centers, urban support programs, and specialized services, who provide service and support to Manitobans impacted by violence and abuse.
VISION
Healthy, strong communities and people with women, gender diverse individuals, and families who are proud and empowered; well-supported by organizations and programs which honour their stories, recognize the impact of colonialism, and which work collaboratively to share, undertake and give voice to best practices.
WE BELIEVE
That all elements of the overall caring and support systems, both public and community, have a responsibility to eliminate violence and to support conditions favourable for thriving and successful outcomes, within Manitoba and beyond.
TIMELINES
Consultation and scope of work to begin August 2023, with all deliverables completed by March 31, 2024.
Draft report to be completed by January 22, 2024.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT/CONSULTANT
Required to conduct consultations with all GEM-funded organizations to determine priorities, capacity and needs, as well as overall system strengths and challenges within family violence prevention sector.
Travel to all regions of the Province of Manitoba may be required. Research will inform recommendations re: establishing a backbone organizations in a formal report. The report will summarize all interviews, outline the process used, and resulting recommendations.
The consultant will communicate directly with the FVCM Executive. Dissemination and recommendations resulting from the report are the responsibility of the FVCM Executive.
SCOPE OF CONSULTATION
-GEM-funded agencies, each requiring consultation
-GEM (formerly FVPP), Department of Families, Province of Manitoba
-Literature review/sector scan relative to the sector (family violence and gender-based violence) that may inform a collective impact model
-Specifically address current gaps, priority areas for advocacy, capacity-building, collaboration and collective impact, that would form the focus of a backbone agency
-Collection of data, analysis, and comprehensive report including recommendations based upon collective stakeholder feedback, including (but not limited to) structure and governance; required staff positions and job descriptions; budget, work plan (e.g., action items and target dates)
-Develop a process for selecting the recommended structure
SECTORAL REVIEW
Creation of a comprehensive report and recommendations focused on key areas, including:
-Collective impact two-day sector retreat (February 9 and 10, 2023)
-Assess funded agencies’ resources, capacity, and priority needs, including systemic barriers
-Assess gaps in sector’s continuum of services, and collaboration across funded sector
-Assess and identify recommendations for possible options re: Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) and backbone organization to work together (e.g., amalgamation, co-existing and collaborative structures, etc.)
-Assess ways in which 2SMMIWG+ Implementation Committee and new backbone organization may work collaboratively
-Identify areas of advocacy and shared voice that are priorities
-Assess capacity and training needs across funded sector
-Assess data collection gaps across funded sector
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
-Understanding of non-profit environment, collective impact models, and gender-based analysis
-Ability to implement priorities identified by Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Calls for Justice, into research, analysis and recommendations
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; specifically community outreach and community conversations
-Exceptional written communication and ability to produce comprehensive report documents
-Exceptional project management skills, collections and analysis of data; ability to brainstorm strategies, organization, and ability to disseminate information clearly and concisely
-Driven, reliable, analytical problem-solver, able to meet all required deliverables within established timeframes
-Demonstrated ability to work from a decolonizing, anti-racist lens, with strong understanding of intersectionality and inclusion of lived-experience and local context
PROPOSED GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
Proposal must be submitted by email and must include the following:
-Qualifications and knowledge re: consultation and organizational design projects (including research, data and interview collection; report writing)
-Detailed description of methodology (approach and process) for developing and implementing a consultation plan; methodology should balance engagement as well as efficiency per project timelines
-Detailed project outline including activities, work plan, timelines with clear deliverables, and progress toward milestones
-Detailed fee proposal including costs and timelines for invoicing and payment schedule (inclusive of all expenses, including consultant fees, technology, travel, etc.)
-Three letters of reference from former professional service clients or similar project from past five years
-Provide example document reflecting similar past project
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023 AT 4:30 P.M. (CDT)
Please submit proposal to Cynthia Drebot ([email protected])
Please state “RFP FVCM Hiring Committee” in the subject line of your email.
2023
Willow Place Spring 2023 E-Newsletter
SPRING WELLNESS
Taking time for self-care
Wellness is defined as our “state of being†and individual needs vary greatly. The SMILE acronym can be a helpful reminder for maintaining universal wellness basics: S-sleep enough, M-move your body, I-inhale and exhale, L-love and connect, and E-eat to nourish. Asking “how’s my SMILE score today?†can be a helpful support to keep on track. Some tips: set reminders on computer or phone; write SMILE on a post-it note where you will see it throughout the day; and schedule in time daily to do something you enjoy. Setting boundaries with wellness can also be very helpful. Many face competing demands for time and energy, so it is necessary to be protective of self-care and wellness-related time.
HEALTHY EATS!
Looking for an easy nutritious meal? Social media has popularized the meal-in-a bowl, sometimes called Buddha bowls, power bowls, hippie bowls or macro bowls.  Healthy meals-in-a-bowl allow for creative customization centered on favourite foods and/or nutritional goals, and can be enjoyed at any time of day.  Further, ingredients or completed bowls can be prepped in advance for make-ahead lunches or easy dinners for busy humans. Generally, meal bowls combine a healthy grain, fresh, cooked and pickled vegetables; legumes and/or nuts, and a dressing. Protein add-ins include eggs, tofu, tempeh, chicken, beef, and fish, etc.  Meal bowls are a great way to reinvent leftovers as well.  We hope you will be inspired to create your own custom creation – maybe even a breakfast bowl to switch up your morning routine!
Here are some recipes links to inspire:
https://www.loveandlemons.com/buddha-bowl-recipe/
https://minimalistbaker.com/sweet-potato-chickpea-buddha-bowl/
https://www.delish.com/cooking/menus/recipes/a50768/buddha-bowls-recipe/
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
Artist Brooklyn Rudolph’s Purse Project
Willow Place’s shelter program was fortunate to receive one-of-a-kind hand-made purses featuring original artwork by award-winning Manitoba Indigenous artist, Brooklyn Rudolph. A young woman with many gifts and abilities, Brooklyn previously gifted the shelter program with ribbon skirts from a prior Indigenous culture project.Â
We felt very fortunate to receive these beautiful items, which were the outcome of a six-month project within Brooklyn’s culturally-based art practice. Each purse will be gifted to an Indigenous woman or girl sheltering with Willow Place, in support of their recovery and healing from family violence.
Chii megwetch, Brooklyn! We are certain the purses will be treasured by those who receive them.
Follow Brooklyn:Â CLICK HERE!
VOLUNTEER FEATURE
Meet music volunteer, Tannis
1) What motivates you to volunteer at Willow Place’s family violence shelter program?
“I really feel that music is vital to healing, it evokes that connection to one another, and it is a comfort. I really don’t know where I would be without music, it grounds me and also inspires me to reach further. I want to share that with everyone, and I need the interaction as much as anyone else does, maybe more.”
2) Can you share one or two highlights of your volunteer experience with us?
“It is a different experience every single time I start playing, I love when people sing along! When I pull out the guitar the kids line up for turns and are so creative, some even make up their own songs or dance routines. I try to teach a little about the parts of the guitar and have everyone strum a song while we sing. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” is a beginner favourite (because I refuse to learn “Let it Go”)! I also love those times when only women are in attendance, sometimes someone will borrow my guitar to play from their own soundtrack which makes my music hour at Willow Place so much more rewarding.”
3) If you could have lunch with any person in history, who would it be and why?
“My hero is Gord Downie so instead of lunch could we just sing together?”
4) What’s your superpower?
“I have transformed being shy into my superpower, it has let me quietly observe everyone without much expectation. I write most of my songs in one sitting because I finally have all the information gathered it needs to form. I have been collecting this data for years and hopefully my next song is something that applies to you :)”
THANK YOU, TANNIS – WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Volunteer program inquiries: Shannon at 204-615-0313, ext. 224
ROYAL LEPAGE DYNAMIC
Agent contributions and fundraiser!
Willow Place recently received a donation of over $24,000.00 from the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, representing agent contributions from Winnipeg’s Royal LePage Dynamic real estate team.  We feel very fortunate to enjoy the ongoing support and awareness raised by Royal LePage, enabling us to sustain vital family violence prevention supports in Manitoba.
We wish to share that Royal LePage Dynamic is hosting a GARAGE SALE: “DeClutter for a Causeâ€Â in support of charity, including Willow Place, on May 28th. IMPORTANT: If you have some articles to donate to the sale, call 204-989-5000.
MORE INFO:Â CLICK HERE!
SUMMER DAY CAMP
Thank you, Canada Summer Jobs!
Willow Place is hiring two students for summer day camp programming (June to September) thanks to granted funds from Canada Summer Jobs. We look forward to providing fun, educational summer activities for children sheltering with us this summer! Â
We would also like to acknowledge free admission from the following community organizations:
Winnipeg Goldeyes, Manitoba Museum, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Assiniboine Park (The Leaf and Assiniboine Park Zoo), Living Prairie Museum, and the Manitoba Children’s Museum.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT INFO AND APPLICATION:Â CLICK HERE!
DONATION SUBSCRIPTION
Easy, Secure Giving with Canada Helps
Were you aware that monthly donation subscriptions are available through Canada Helps?  Canada Helps is a secure, online platform that enables donors to provide monetary donations for charities.  Willow Place continues to promote the online giving program in 2023 with a goal to obtain new monthly subscribers. Reaching this goal would provide Willow Place with assured monthly funds to bridge funding gaps, and would enable us to better-serve program participants. A commitment of just $20 a month can make a positive difference, and helps Willow Place support those in need! Â
Those with questions are welcome to contact Community Coordinator/Supervisor, Pam Hadder:
Phone: 204-615-0313, ext. 237 (weekdays, daytime hours)
Email:Â [email protected]
DONATE TODAY:Â CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
2023
Willow Place Winter 2023 E-Newsletter
SOUP SISTERS
Resilience and Resourcefulness
Willow Place has been fortunate to receive regular donations of delicious fresh-made soup from Soup Sisters for several years. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Soup Sisters held monthly soup-making events in Winnipeg, in partnership with the Fairmont Winnipeg, that helped to raise awareness and donations, while providing a variety of wholesome soups for the shelter program.
During the early months of the pandemic, these in-person events were suspended due to health precautions, and Soup Sisters Canada stepped in to keep the soup flowing. Although monthly events have not resumed in Winnipeg, Soup Sisters Canada has created a wonderful 50% Program which continues to help Willow Place. For a modest cost, our shelter program receives monthly shipments of soup that is freshly made at commercial kitchens and frozen in family packs for shipping and distribution. The soup is delivered to Willow Place’s shelter program by our amazing local Soup Sisters: Harriet, Sandi, Miriam, along with their family and friends.
Willow Place is so grateful for the resilience and resourcefulness exhibited by local and national Soup Sisters members.
Thank you to all of the donors, supporters and volunteers in Canada that make the Soup Sisters 50% Program possible!
Soup Sisters info: https://www.soupsisters.org/
Purchase Soup Sisters cookbooks: https://www.soupsisters.org/cookbooks-recipes
Donate: https://www.soupsisters.org/donate-with-miso-money-in-soup-out
HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS
2022 Tournament Outcomes
The annual Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) fundraising tournament was held in December, 2022. Willow Place is fortunate to be among homelessness-serving organizations supported by the event – other beneficiaries include Winnipeg’s Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY) and Red Road Lodge.
The event was a great success and boasted four women’s teams this year! Women led the way with fundraising initiatives and collecting team fees, and we hope there will be more growth with female player participation in the years ahead! Family violence is a significant factor impacting homelessness and homelessness risk, and this event not only raises much-needed funds, it also provides opportunities to talk about family violence and community supports for those in need. Willow Place and other beneficiaries will each receive $45,000 from the 2022 event proceeds. Thank you to Willow Place staff, volunteers, donors and supporters, as well as the Hockey Helps the Homeless local committee and national office – your efforts are making a positive difference for family violence program participants.
CARING DADS PROGRAM
Exciting Updates!
Willow Place’s Caring Dads Program began five years ago, as a grant-funded pilot. Working in partnership with Winnipeg Child and Family Services (CFS), the program has blossomed from one intake yearly to three intakes. For those unfamiliar with Caring Dads, it is an internationally-recognized 17-week intervention program for male perpetrators of family violence. It is understood that without gaining awareness of the impact of their actions, as well as having support to change behaviours and gain accountability, perpetrators of violence are likely to continue familiar, unhealthy relationship patterns.
Most recently, Winnipeg CFS has expressed commitment to training more Caring Dads staff, allowing for more intakes. Also being launched is a new program for survivors of family violence with pre-school age children called Mothers in Mind. Central to the Caring Dads Program’s success, is Willow Place staff member, Shannon C., who has brought invaluable trauma-informed counselling insight and experience to her Caring Dads facilitator role, and who has mentored new program facilitators. Shannon shared:
‘We recently completed our eighth group of Caring Dads, impacting roughly 90 men, and over 200 kids’ lives. On … the last week, we ask the men to complete an anonymous evaluation on their experience in the program, I am proud to share that this was one of the recent comments: “Facilitators were fantastic, kind, caring, empathetic and informative. A great experience in an otherwise terrible time in my life.†We have had men drop out of group due to addictions, and join again when they are in a better place and succeed. Caring Dads is an important part of building healthy relationships. Connecting with these men is an honor and I enjoy being a part of their journey, I too learn and grow in each group.’
Thank you, Shannon, for your dedication and support for sustaining and growing Caring Dads in Manitoba!
MORE INFORMATION:
E: [email protected]
P: 204-615-0313, ext. 224
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Working Together to Meet Diverse Needs
Willow Place is grateful to have an number of community and program partners, enabling us to better-support participants in the shelter program, as well as provide outreach services for diverse needs. In shelter, as part of the wellness program initiative, grant and donation funds support trauma-informed yoga twice weekly. Wellness supports also include bi-weekly visits from public health, providing information sessions, vaccination access and other valuable health supports. On alternate weeks, a physician from Women’s Health Clinic is on-site to support shelter participants.
Indigenous cultural supports are important, as the majority of Willow Place shelter program participants are Indigenous women and children. Funded by donations and grants, these supports include weekly elder visits, and cultural activities such as drumming, art and crafts sessions. Shelter participants can also access and use Indigenous medicines such as cedar and sage.
Other community partners are invited to visit the shelter program on a regular, on-going basis to provide a wide array of information sessions and supports: SEED (financial literacy), Elmwood Family Resource Centre (newcomer supports and activities), CLEA (legal support), Project Choices/Klinic (alcohol, sex and birth control), for example.
In community, Willow Place outreach counsellors visit Salvation Army SonRise Village, Winnipeg, to provide drop-in and by-appointment family violence supports for men and women. Community outreach also partners with Access Public Health, Main Street, Winnipeg to provide drop-in or by-appointment family violence supports.
AMAZON WISH LIST
In-Kind Donations Support
During the early months of the COVID pandemic Willow Place established its Amazon Wish List, to enable those wishing to provide in-kind donations another option. Over the past months, we have been fortunate to receive a number of donations from community using the list.
TO USE THE LIST:
1) Click on the link to see items on the list. CLICK HERE!
2) Order on your Amazon account for delivery to your home.
3) Contact Willow Place at 204-615-0311 (ext. 231 or ext. 237) to arrange your drop-off appointment.
Most recently, Forester’s Financial member, Kim M. purchased a supply of items from the list including night lights for the shelter program! Foresters provides small grants for members to support a charity or charities of choice, and we were delighted to once again be a beneficiary of this wonderful initiative. Heartfelt appreciation to Forester’s and Forester’s member-supporter, Kim!
DONATION SUBSCRIPTION
Easy, Secure Giving with Canada Helps
Easy, Secure Giving with Canada Helps
Canada Helps is a secure, online platform that enables donors to provide monetary donations for charities. Were you aware that monthly donation subscriptions are available through Canada Helps? Willow Place will be promoting the online giving program in 2023 with a goal to obtain 1000 new $20-a-month subscribers, or 500 new $40-a-month subscribers. Reaching this goal would provide Willow Place with $20,000 monthly to sustain our important work in family violence prevention.
DONATE or SUBSCRIBE: CLICK HERE!
Those with questions are welcome to contact Community Coordinator, Pam Hadder
Phone: 204-615-0313, ext. 237 (weekdays, daytime hours)
Email: [email protected]
Our mailing address: P.O. Box 1786, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3C 2Z9
