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Golden Thread accepts ongoing resumes with letters of interest in Golden Thread from stage managers, designers, set builders, and technical directors at information@goldenthread.org.

Request for Proposals – Strategic Plan Consultant

About Golden Thread Productions:

Founded in 1996, Golden Thread Productions (goldenthread.org) is the first American, and San Francisco’s only theatre company devoted to plays from or about the Middle East. We define the Middle East broadly and inclusively, embracing the multiplicity of ethnic and religious identities that span Southwest Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, parts of Mediterranean Europe, and our Diaspora communities. Our programs defy stereotypes and cultivate those who seek alternative perspectives of the Middle East including individuals not of Middle Eastern heritage eager to connect with cultures different than their own, as well as Middle Eastern audiences who rarely encounter meaningful reflections of their own culture and narrative in the performing arts.

As a company created by, for, and of BIPOC artists, Golden Thread holds equity and empowerment at the core of all its operations. We intentionally recruit from MENA, BIPOC, and other under-represented communities. Our Board of Trustees is 80% Middle Eastern, our Advisory Board is 100% Middle Eastern or BIPOC, and our resident artists are mostly Middle Eastern or BIPOC. Our administrative staff fully comprises women, non-binary individuals, and half identify as BIPOC. Most employees are paid at or above industry average, and our employee culture is anchored in mutual respect, collaboration, and self-determination.

Organizational Context

About the Strategic Plan

In December 2020, Golden Thread received a substantial multi-year grant from the Hewlett foundation in order to create and implement an Adaptation Plan intended to address the company’s greatest challenges. In addition to the socio-political and environmental realities, our first-ever leadership transition, and field-wide shifts in non-profit theater, we identified deep vulnerabilities in our artists and staff. Therefore, we have devoted a portion of the grant funds to improve capacity, resiliency, and stability with operational, production, and financial models that value human resources and put artists first. One of the major goals we identified is to develop a five-year strategic plan that includes soliciting feedback from stakeholders via focus groups or one-on-one interviews and meetings, and creating a communication plan for sharing the new vision, including messaging and outreach.

Scope of Work

Golden Thread is looking to engage a consultant or group to lead us through a strategic planning process. This effort should focus on revising the mission, vision, and developing plans for the next 3-5 years of our company while focusing on understanding the changes in the post-COVID theater infrastructure and adapting to them for sustainability. The following are the key elements we expect to cover in the strategic plan:

Strategic Positioning

• Review our mission and vision.
• Articulate our core values and principles.
• Assess the current theatre and social environment in which we operate (including changes in audience demographics, attendance patterns, and funding sources).

Current Operations

• Assess the current state of the company’s infrastructure and identify areas that need improvement. Provide a basis for the future of the organization by considering the current staffing, operations, marketing, and community engagement tools.
• Develop a plan to address infrastructure deficiencies and ensure that the company is able to adapt to the changing theater infrastructure.
• Provide a basis for the future of the organization by considering the current staffing, operations, marketing, and community engagement tools.

Stakeholder Analysis

• Identify internal stakeholders (e.g. board members, staff, artists) and external stakeholders (e.g. patrons, donors, community members) and understand their level of influence on/and interest in the company.
• Solicit feedback and input from key stakeholders, including any concerns or suggestions they may have regarding the company’s operations and strategic direction.
• Review the potential impact of different stakeholders on the company’s strategic plan and the role they play in its success and failure.

Marketing and Outreach

• Evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the company’s programming and institutional marketing efforts considering its unique mission, values, and position in the Bay Area and National theater scene.
• Review the company’s digital presence, including the use of social media, email marketing, etc., and develop a plan for leveraging digital marketing channels to reach the target audience.
• Develop a detailed plan outlining the actions and resources (including financial resources) required to achieve the company’s marketing goals and objectives
• Develop strategies for building stronger relationships with our community and audience members, including outreach initiatives and community engagement programs.

Artistic Programs

• Review the company’s current programs and services, including an analysis of their effectiveness and alignment with the company’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Develop a detailed plan outlining the actions and resources required to improve existing programs and to design and develop new programs and services.
• Understand the role of new technologies in the theater industry, such as streaming and virtual reality, and develop a plan for how the company can leverage these technologies to reach new audiences and generate revenue.
• Develop a plan for building and maintaining partnerships and collaborations with other theater and community organizations, in order to leverage resources and expertise.

Leadership

• Explore alternative leadership models that may be better suited to the new theater infrastructure and that can help sustain the company in the long term. This may include models such as collective leadership, co-leadership, or shared leadership.

Financials

• Review the company’s current financial position, including an analysis of its income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
• Develop projections of the company’s future financial performance, including income, expenses, and cash flow, based on the proposed actions and strategies outlined in the strategic plan.
• Outline the financial resources required to implement the strategic plan, including projected income and expenses for each year of the planning period.
• Develop a plan to diversify the company’s revenues beyond traditional sources such as foundation and government grants.

Short- and Long-Term Goals/Metrics

• Develop trackable goals and metrics to measure the progress of the strategic plan and adjust as needed.

Deliverables

1. Foundational Plan, including: Background and context analysis: A description of the company’s current operations, and external factors that may impact its future. Current performance: A summary of the company’s current financial, operational, and programmatic performance.
2. Findings Report, including: Summary of the current state of the theater industry, including trends and potential opportunities for the organization. Stakeholder input: A summary of feedback and input received from key stakeholders, such as Board members, staff, resident artists, Advisory Board members, donors, and patrons. SWOT analysis: A summary of the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, based on data and information gathered during the planning process. Emerging themes: A summary of the key themes and priorities that emerged during the planning process, including areas of focus for the company’s future development.
3. Strategic Plan Report – Integrating the feedback and information developed from the Initial Findings Report and Foundational Plan. The Strategic Plan full detailed report should include: Executive Summary: A brief overview of the key findings and recommendations of the strategic plan. Background and context: A description of the company’s history, current operations, and external factors that may impact the company’s future. Goals and objectives: Specific, measurable, and achievable goals that align with the company’s mission and vision. Action plan: A detailed plan that outlines the steps, resources, and timelines required to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. Performance metrics: A set of metrics that will be used to measure the company’s progress and success in achieving its goals. Budget: A comprehensive budget that outlines the financial resources required to implement the strategic plan. Communication plan: A plan for communicating the strategic plan to stakeholders, including board members, staff, artists, etc. Evaluation and revision plan: A plan for regularly reviewing and revising the strategic plan to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
4. Summary document and a presentation format of the Strategic Plan.
5. Appendices: supporting documents, minutes of meetings and focus groups, information used in the planning process, etc.

Budget The current budget for this project is not to exceed $25,000 for all services.

Proposals should include:

1. About your group.
2. Bios of the team that will work on the project. If multiple people will be involved, describe the roles, skills, and expertise of the personnel that will be undertaking this project, along with the percentage of their time that will be allocated.  Please provide resumes for each team member, and indicate who will take the overall lead in communicating with Golden Thread.
3. Proposal of approach.
4. Schedule: indicate the timeline for each phase. Please anticipate a four-month timeframe for the scope of work and include a schedule that shows the operations over the course of those four months. If a different period of time is being proposed, the proposal should explain why more or less time is needed.
5. Proposal of fees: Provide a detailed budget for the project, with an estimate of the fees to be charged across tasks, deliverables, and team members, and an estimate of expenses that will be incurred.
6. References: Provide names, organizations, and contact details of three (3) nonprofit organizations who have been your clients during the past twenty-four months, and who are willing to act as references.
7. Work Sample (Ideally for similar organizations/similar scopes).

Timeline

• RFP issued – Feb 24, 2023
• Proposals Due – March 24, 2023
• Selection of Consultant– April 18, 2023

We will shortlist the proposals and schedule meetings with candidates on a rolling basis.

Work is intended to start on April 24, 2023. The ideal date of completion for this project would be no later than August 15, 2023.

Upon award, we will make current information and documents requested available through a shared Dropbox folder.

Submissions Proposals must be emailed (PDF) to Sahar Assaf, Executive Artistic Director at sahar@goldenthread.org and be received by March 24, 2023.

Please title the PDF with your name/the name of your company.

Questions should be submitted to:
 Sahar Assaf, Executive Artistic Director, sahar@goldenthread.org and Michelle Mulholland, Managing Director, michelle@goldenthread.org