California & Los Angeles Strategy
| Issuing Organization | Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) |
| Engagement Period | April 2026 – March 2028 (two-year grant period) |
| Budget Range | $80,000 – $120,000 (total, over two years) |
| Submission Deadline | April 30, 2026 |
| Submit To | Jesse Dean, Director of Strategic Communications — [email protected] |
Background
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) seeks proposals from qualified consultants or firms to provide strategic communications and public relations services in California, with a concentrated focus on Los Angeles. This initiative is supported by a two-year grant, with potential for additional funding sources.
The selected consultant will augment CSH’s national Strategic Communications team and California-based program and policy teams. They will help us translate our internal expertise and community partnerships into compelling external communications—materials, stories, and campaigns—that we can deploy through our local and national networks and channels.
Goals & Strategic Objectives
This engagement is designed to advance three interrelated goals:
- Increase funder awareness of CSH’s California work to support resource development and grant funding.
- Elevate CSH’s visibility across the sector and among Los Angeles partners, positioning CSH as a leading voice on housing and supportive services.
- Generate content and materials that support new contract opportunities, helping diversify CSH’s revenue through grants and earned income.
- Elevate CSH’s positioning and voice in an evolving policy landscape, equipping the organization to respond to and get ahead of misinformation and political opposition, while reinforcing the evidence base that makes supportive housing a proven, cost-effective solution.
We have strong internal knowledge, deep programmatic expertise, and established partnerships in LA. What we need is a consultant who can bring graphic design capability, local LA presence, and strategic communications skill to help us shape and push out our work more effectively.
Scope of Work & Deliverables
Communications & Public Relations Strategy
Develop a comprehensive California-focused communications and PR strategy. Identify key audiences, channels, tactics, and success metrics (KPIs). Ensure strategy reflects CSH’s organizational priorities and alignment with newly created messaging frameworks that leverage national public opinion narrative research conducted by the Housing Narrative Lab.
Messaging Platform
Create a strategic messaging framework tailored to funders, policymakers, partners, and community stakeholders. Include an elevator pitch, talking points, and funder-specific language.
Content Development & Design
Produce compelling communications materials. We place particular emphasis on high-quality visual and designed materials consisting with CSH brand guidelines, including:
- Program flyers and promotional materials—readable, attractive, and ready to distribute digitally and in print
- Branded templates for ongoing use (PowerPoint decks, one-pager documents, social media graphics, event materials, etc.) rather than one-off samples
- Proactively developing media pitches and supporting public and media relations efforts
- Newsletters (monthly or quarterly) featuring impact stories and program updates
- Narrative and storytelling content for housing and supportive services work
- Cross-collaboration with CSH’s Strategic Communication’s team’s social media content calendar with graphics and caption content for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms
- Fundraising and donor-facing materials (case statements, impact reports)
- Partner engagement briefs highlighting collaborative LA and California efforts
- Photo shoot coordination—support planning and management of photo shoots across partner sites and program locations, including logistics, subject coordination, and ensuring assets meet CSH brand and content standards, and protocols for engaging people with lived experience
Branding Support
Work within CSH’s established brand guidelines to develop a locally resonant visual identity for CSH’s LA programs—one that feels distinct and eye-catching while remaining consistent with CSH’s national brand.
Visual Media
Support the capture and curation of photos and video assets that can be used in content development, specifically for social media. This may be executed in partnership with other vendors for specific events (e.g., Speak Up! showcase, Housing First Sharing Exchange). We welcome proposals that address how your firm handles visual media, whether in-house or through subcontractors.
Event Promotion
Assist with promoting local LA events, including Speak Up! and HFSE. This includes creation of promotional materials, digital content, and partner outreach support.
Partnership Engagement
Assist in connecting with LA-based partners and amplifying collaborative communications. Help CSH make better use of its existing partnerships through stronger, more consistent materials.
Examples of Deliverables
- California Communications & PR Strategy Document (goals, audiences, channels, KPIs)
- Proactively support public relations efforts with tailored pitches
- Messaging Platform Toolkit (key messages, elevator pitch, funder and partner talking points)
- Program Flyers & Branded Templates (designed for distribution by CSH and partners)
- Monthly or Quarterly Newsletter (digital format to be sent via CSH’s HubSpot marketing automation software, impact stories and updates)
- Narrative & Storytelling Framework (approach for housing and supportive services work)
- Social Media Content (graphics and posts for LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook)
- Fundraising Communications Package (case statements, donor-facing materials)
- Partner Engagement Briefs (highlighting collaborative LA and California efforts)
- Event Promotional Materials (for Speak Up!, HSFE, and other local LA events)
- Photo/Video Asset Plan (approach for capturing and curating visual media)
Desired Qualifications
- Proven experience in strategic communications, public relations, messaging development, and storytelling
- In-house or embedded graphic design capacity—ability to produce polished, print- and digital-ready materials
- Staff or contractors based in the Los Angeles area with familiarity with the local media landscape, community partners, and funder priorities
- Experience in or familiarity with the nonprofit sector, housing, homelessness, and/or social services
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, national staff, and external partners
- Familiarity with frameworks such as the Housing Narrative Lab or Community Change is a plus
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should include the following:
- Overview of your approach and methodology for this scope of work
- Relevant experience and examples of similar communications and design work
- Description of your team’s graphic design capabilities and any LA-based staff or contractors
- Estimated timeline and cost breakdown for the full scope
- Any additional value-added services you can provide
- How your firm handles visual media (photography/video)—in-house, subcontracted, or both
Budget Guidance
CSH anticipates allocating $80,000–$120,000 for this engagement over the two-year grant period (April 2026–March 2028). Proposals should include a detailed cost breakdown. Options for phased or scalable service delivery within this range are welcome.
Evaluation Criteria
| Criterion | What We’re Looking For |
| Expertise & Relevant Experience | Demonstrated track record in communications, PR, and design for mission-driven work |
| Design Capability | Ability to produce polished, on-brand visual and print materials |
| Quality & Clarity of Proposed Approach | Clear strategy, strong writing, and thoughtful methodology |
| Local LA Presence | Staff or contractors in LA with knowledge of local landscape and partners |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Transparent pricing and strong value relative to scope |
| Timeline & Deliverables | Realistic plan with ability to meet milestones over two-year engagement |
Submission Details
| Submission Deadline | April 30, 2026 |
| Contact | Jesse Dean, Director of Strategic Communications |
| [email protected] |
Questions about this RFE may be directed to Jesse Dean at the email above.
Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract. CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.