INTRODUCTION
CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) announces a Request for Estimates (RFE) to solicit proposals from qualified film or video production firms to produce two distinct documentary-style short films advancing separate strategic objectives.
While this RFE includes two independent projects under a single solicitation for administrative efficiency, each project has its own audience, purpose, scope, and deliverables. Proposers may submit a response for:
- Project 1 only
- Project 2 only
- Both projects
CSH reserves the right to award one or both projects to a single firm, or to make separate awards to different firms, based on proposal strength, demonstrated expertise, creative alignment, capacity, and overall value.
Proposals for firms bidding on both projects must include:
- A clearly differentiated creative approach for each film
- Separate scopes of work and budgets for each project
- Any pricing considerations if awarded both projects
Each project will be evaluated independently according to its specific objectives and criteria.
ABOUT CSH
CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) advances affordable housing aligned with services by advocating for effective policies and funding, investing in communities, and strengthening the supportive housing field. Since our founding in 1991, CSH has been the only national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing – a proven and cost-effective solution for people experiencing homelessness and who have disabilities, substance use disorder, or chronic health conditions. Over the course of our work, we have created more than 512,500 units of affordable and supportive housing and invested more than $2.2 billion in communities. Our workforce is central to accomplishing this work. We employ approximately 170 people across 30 states and U.S. Territories. As an intermediary, we do not directly develop or operate housing but center our approach in collaboration with a wide range of people, partners, and sectors. For more information, visit www.csh.org.
ABOUT CSH’S TWO FILM PROJECTS
These two films serve different audiences and strategic goals: one focuses on amplifying voices and imagery related to supportive housing within a single state, and as part of a statewide narrative campaign, while the other commemorates a 20-year program milestone through multi-state storytelling and impact narratives. We have intentionally structured this RFE to allow for flexibility in vendor selection while streamlining the procurement process.
FILM PROJECT 1 – SUPPORTIVE HOUSING VOICES IN PENNSYLVANIA
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Produce a short documentary-style film that amplifies community voices and imagery related to supportive housing across Pennsylvania (PA). The film will feature “trusted community voices” from individuals with lived experience of homelessness and their transition to supportive housing, as well as community partners, law enforcement, medical professionals, landlords, local government officials, and more. We anticipate that through creative storytelling, community voices will resonate with viewers to build awareness of, and broad support for, supportive housing.
The film will be an integral part of a larger statewide narrative and messaging campaign on supportive housing driven by CSH and the PA Supportive Housing Coalition, the latter a CSH-led group comprising multisector partners focused on advancing supportive housing policy. While the film is centered on supportive housing in Pennsylvania and will support ongoing work in the state, we want the film to tell the power of supportive housing that will relate to communities across the country.
PRIMARY AUDIENCES
- State and local policymakers
- Housing and service providers
- Community leaders
- General public
- Funders
ESTIMATED FILMING LOCATIONS
Luzerne County, Montgomery County, and Allegheny County with the possibility of a fourth location (Lehigh County) based on budget and programmatic capacity. Types of locations for interviews include:
- Private Homes including supportive housing projects
- Case Management Offices
- State/County/Municipal Official Offices
- Landlord Offices
- Professional Offices – business, law enforcement, medical
ESTIMATED PRODUCTION SCOPE
- Approximately 15-25 interviews (minimum of 5-7 at each location)
- Approximately 3-5 filming days
ANTICIPATED PROJECT DELIVERABLES
- Short documentary-style film -To support the statewide PA messaging campaign, the film will interweave stories from the three to four locations
- Three shorter videos showcasing one of each of the three communities (CSH will use to host engagement events with local members of each community) – four shorter videos if the fourth location is included in the final project scope
- Three to four 30-60 second clips and/or sizzle reels for film promotion to share on the CSH website, email, and social media.
- Production includes scripting, copyediting, and rights to background music.
- 3-4 thumbnail images for promotion
- All final videos to include lower third titles of speakers and captioning for ADA accessibility
- 10-15 edited still photos to use in promotional materials
- Technical spec sheet for screenings
The respondent may subcontract any of these functions to meet deliverables and will compensate any subcontractor from the fee issued in response to this request. No additional funds are available for subcontractors.
PROJECT TIMELINE (ESTIMATED)
- Pre-Production – April 2026 to May 2026
- Production: Filming and Editing – June 2026 to August 2026
- Post-Production: Finalizing and post-production – September 2026 to November 2026
CONTENT OWNERSHIP
CSH reserves the right of ownership and access to raw content created during this campaign.
FILM PROJECT 2 – SHOWCASING 20 YEARS OF KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER
Produce a documentary-style film commemorating the 20- year anniversary of CSH’s Keeping Families Together program. The film will highlight the program’s impact over time through success stories and perspectives from participants, partners, and leaders. The film should weave interviews and b‑roll footage to tell a cohesive story that reflects the strengths, resilience, and two‑generation impact experienced by families in supportive housing. Through creative storytelling we anticipate the film will generate awareness and interest in replicating the program in more communities.
2027 will mark the 20-year anniversary of the original Keeping Families Together (KFT) pilot launched in NYC and deployed in nearly 30 other locations. CSH plans to launch a significant KFT marketing and replication campaign during 2027 and debute the film with national virtual and possibly in-person regional screenings. The KFT video is anticipated to be an important and powerful resource to support the campaign and ongoing education and activation of key audiences.
PRIMARY AUDIENCES
- Housing and service providers
- Child welfare agency leaders
- State and local policymakers
- Funders/Philanthropy
- General public
ESTIMATED FILM DURATION
- 15-20 minutes
ESTIMATED FILMING LOCATIONS
New Jersey (metro NYC) and New York City, with the possibility of 1 additional U.S. location, based on feasibility and cost (e.g., Minnesota (Minneapolis metro), Washington (Seattle metro), Oregon, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California, or other established KFT sites).
Likely settings include:
- Exterior and interior shots of supportive housing residences
- Agency offices, partner facilities, and CSH NYC headquarters
- Community settings such as parks, playgrounds, or neighborhood environments
ANTICIPATED PRODUCTION SCOPE
- Approximately 8–10 interview subjects, including:
- Families with lived experience
- State and local KFT site leads
- Case managers and service providers
- Child welfare and housing leaders
- CSH staff
- Approximately 3-5 filming days per location
ANTICIPATED PROJECT DELIVERABLES
- One documentary-style film
- 3–4 short social media clips (30–60 seconds each), in both horizontal and vertical formats
- All b‑roll footage captured
- 10–15 edited still photographs of subjects for use in promotional materials
- Include lower third titles of speakers
- Captioning for all videos for ADA accessibility
- Basic music licensing and rights included
PROJECT TIMELINE (ESTIMATED)
- Pre-Production: April 2026 to May 2026
- Production: Filming and Editing – June 2026 to August 2026
- Post-Production: Finalizing and post-production – September 2026 to October 2026
- Public Distribution: 2027 TBD
Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers’ compensation insurance while performing work for or on behalf of CSH.
PROJECT BUDGET
- Project 1 – $40,000 to $60,000 range
- Project 2 – Not to exceed $40,000
Please provide a detailed budget estimate for the projects for which you are providing estimates. We ask that your estimate(s) include itemized costs for all major components of production and post‑production—including labor, equipment, travel, editing, and any additional expenses you anticipate. Itemizing each element will help us understand the full scope of work, compare options, and ensure the project can be planned and executed efficiently.
If there are optional services or cost‑saving alternatives, feel free to include those as separate line items in your proposal.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Timeline:
– Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – Questions or Comments Due
– Friday, April 3, 2026 – Estimates Due
To apply for this opportunity, please submit the requested documents via email to Melanie Kursun, no later than Friday, April 3, 2026, 11:59 PM EST at [email protected]; with a subject line “Storytelling Documentary Film Estimate.” Any questions or comments must be shared prior to March 31, 2026 – please contact Melanie.
CSH encourages individuals with a wide array of experiences and backgrounds to apply.