Request for Proposals (RFP)
Overview
The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is seeking an experienced Washington, DC-based federal lobbyist to partner on Congressional engagement related to FY2027 federal appropriations impacting supportive housing. CSH continues to build Congressional relationships and seeks a lobbying partner to complement this work by expanding reach to additional offices and committees, facilitating targeted Hill engagement, and delivering timely appropriations intelligence to advance CSH’s funding priorities.
Background
CSH is the national leader in supportive housing. For more than 30 years, we have advanced affordable housing paired with essential services, including substance use, mental health, and eviction mitigation, to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness achieve housing stability. Active in over 300 communities, CSH has supported the creation of more than 385,000 homes and generated billions in economic activity.
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), CSH has invested over $1.2 billion in affordable and supportive housing and critical community infrastructure over the past decade. We work closely with lawmakers and community leaders to advance evidence-based, cost-effective, and non-partisan policy solutions that improve housing outcomes nationwide.
Scope of Work
The selected lobbyist will work in close partnership with CSH’s policy team to support Congressional engagement related to FY2027 federal appropriations impacting supportive housing.
Congressional Outreach & Engagement
- Conduct targeted outreach to Members of Congress and key staff in the House and Senate, with an emphasis on appropriations committees and relevant subcommittees and key members who can influence decision makers.
- Expand CSH’s reach to additional Congressional offices and committees beyond existing relationships.
- Facilitate and coordinate meetings between CSH leadership/staff and Congressional offices.
- Support engagement with both majority and minority staff, as appropriate.
Appropriations Advocacy
- Advance CSH’s FY2027 appropriations priorities through direct Congressional engagement.
- Identify champions to support funding targets and favorable report language aligned with CSH’s goals.
- Provide guidance on appropriations timing, procedural developments, and key decision points.
Intelligence & Issue Monitoring
- Provide timely, actionable intelligence on appropriations negotiations, committee activity, and Congressional dynamics relevant to supportive housing.
- Monitor appropriations negotiations, committee activity, and Congressional dynamics to identify emerging risks, opportunities, or shifts relevant to CSH’s priorities.
- Monitor relevant hearings, markups, and legislative developments as needed.
Coordination with CSH
- Coordinate closely with CSH staff to align Congressional outreach efforts conducted by CSH and partner organizations to ensure consistent messaging and policy positions.
- Provide tactical support for CSH‑led advocacy efforts, including pressure‑testing messaging for Congressional audiences, advising on messaging for specific offices or committee staff, adapting content for oral or written delivery, and flagging potential messaging risks.
Reporting & Communication
- Share updates that synthesize relevant Congressional activity, intelligence, and engagement outcomes.
- Participate in regular check-ins with CSH staff, with cadence and format mutually agreed upon.
Desired Qualifications
CSH seeks a federal lobbyist or lobbying firm with demonstrated experience supporting Congressional appropriations advocacy in a non-partisan, evidence-based manner. Ideal candidates will bring strong relationships, practical knowledge of the appropriations process, and the ability to work collaboratively alongside an in-house policy team.
Desired qualifications include:
- Demonstrated experience engaging Congress on federal appropriations, particularly within committees and subcommittees relevant to affordable housing development, housing finance, homelessness, or human services.
- Ability to operate effectively in a non-partisan policy environment, advancing funding priorities grounded in data, cost-effectiveness, and program outcomes.
- Experience expanding access to new Congressional offices and strengthening engagement beyond an organization’s existing relationships.
- Familiarity with the federal budget and appropriations cycle, including timing, procedural dynamics, and key decision points.
- Demonstrated ability to provide practical, actionable intelligence to inform advocacy efforts.
- Clear communication style and ability to convey complex appropriations dynamics concisely and usefully.
CSH welcomes responses from both firms and individual consultants with the capacity and relationships to effectively support this work.
Submission Requirements
Submissions should include the following components:
Relevant Experience and Relationships
- A brief description of experience supporting Congressional appropriations advocacy,
- Summary of relevant relationships with Members of Congress and Congressional staff, including appropriations committees and subcommittees with a particular focus on the majority, and
- Experience working in a non-partisan policy environment, particularly on housing, homelessness, or related issues
Proposed Approach
- Description of how the respondent would support CSH’s FY2027 appropriations advocacy, with an emphasis on:
- Congressional engagement
- Expanding reach to additional offices and committees
- Cultivating champions for appropriations requests
- Explanation of how the respondent would work in partnership with CSH’s internal policy team
Staffing and Capacity
- Identification of the individual(s) who would lead and support this work
- Brief bios or summaries of relevant experience
- Expected level of involvement by senior staff
Reporting and Communication
- Proposed approach to communication and reporting, including:
- Suggested cadence and format for updates
- How time-sensitive developments would be communicated
- Reporting should be scaled to support effective coordination and decision-making without unnecessary burden
Cost Proposal
- Proposed fee structure (e.g., monthly retainer or other approach)
- Description of what is included in the proposed cost
- Any assumptions that inform the proposed pricing
Evaluation Criteria
Responses will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Relevant Congressional and Appropriations Experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting federal appropriations advocacy.
- Familiarity with the Congressional appropriations process, committees, and key decision points relevant to supportive housing and related programs.
Strength of Congressional Relationships
- Depth and relevance of existing relationships with Members of Congress and Congressional staff.
- Demonstrated access to and credibility with majority staff and Members of Congress.
- Ability to expand CSH’s reach to additional offices and committees beyond existing relationships.
- Ability to cultivate champions for appropriations ask.
Non‑Partisan Approach and Credibility
- Ability to operate effectively in a non‑partisan policy environment.
- Experience advancing funding priorities grounded in evidence, program outcomes, and cost‑effectiveness.
- Alignment with CSH’s commitment to pragmatic, solutions‑oriented advocacy.
Proposed Approach and Fit
- Clarity and practicality of the proposed approach to supporting CSH’s FY2027 appropriations advocacy.
- Demonstrated understanding of the collaborative nature of the engagement, including working alongside CSH policy staff and broader advocacy network.
Communication and Responsiveness
- Ability to provide timely, actionable intelligence and concise updates.
- Clear, effective communication style that supports coordination and decision‑making.
Cost and Value
- Reasonableness of proposed costs in relation to the scope of work.
- Overall value and efficient use of resources.
Submission Instructions & Key Dates
Responses to this Request for Proposals should be submitted electronically.
- Submission Deadline: May 27, 2026
- Submission Method: Email submissions to [email protected]
- Format: PDF preferred; a single file is encouraged
- Subject Line: “CSH FY2027 Congressional Lobbying RFP – [Name of firm or individual]”
Questions regarding this RFP may be submitted to Kara Mergl at [email protected] by May 25th, 2026. Responses to questions may be shared with all respondents, as appropriate.
CSH reserves the right to request additional information, conduct interviews with selected respondents, and accept or reject any or all submissions. Issuance of this RFP does not obligate CSH to award a contract.
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.