« Arts Health Network Canada (AHNC) is Canada’s primary arts and health knowledge sharing, networking and capacity building hub, helping to promote and facilitate the development and growth of arts and health initiatives across Canada. A federally registered charitable organization, AHNC’s primary purpose is to increase awareness, understanding and application of the contributions of arts-based initiatives to individual and community health, as well as to Canada’s public health care system. AHNC engages arts/health providers, organizations, decision makers, and the broader public to understand and support the connections between health and arts-based activities, as well as the multitude of ways that the arts can contribute to lowering costs, increasing effectiveness, and supporting the sustainability of our public health care system.

Founded in 2011 with seed funding from Lift Philanthropy Partners (formerly 2010 Legacies Now Society), AHNC now seeks to develop corporate, foundation, academic and individual partnerships to support its on-going activities.

BROAD OBJECTIVE:
The selected proponent will develop and execute a fund and partner development strategy that will address both short-term/immediate opportunities and the longer-term fund development opportunities and processes suited to AHNC.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Review purposes, current operations and programs of AHNC in relationship to possible partnerships in fund development, research and programming.
• Assess existing resources (contractors, board directors, advisors) for capability to support fund development projects and identify scope and resources to be developed to support immediate and ongoing development activity.
• Develop and execute a 3-month plan to capitalize on short-term opportunities for fund development based on personal knowledge and ancillary research.
• Develop a 3-year fund and partner development plan, including strategies and goals, matching AHNC priorities to potential funding sources in government, foundations, academic realms, individual philanthropists and other areas as may be identified.
• Research, cultivate and solicit funding sources identified in the above plans.
• Develop and/or oversee the development of solicitation materials, including proposals and grant applications.
• Develop a donor recognition and stewardship program to support the above plans.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:
A motivated self-starter with a proven track record of success and innovation in partnership and fund development.
Demonstrated ability to successfully design, develop and manage significant program initiatives.
Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills, with an ability to represent AHNC in a wide variety of settings.
Experience in working directly with a non-profit Board of Directors.
Capacity to operate in a virtual environment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of the arts and health sector across Canada.
Ability to communicate in both official languages.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:
The selected proponent will work closely with the Fund Development Committee, and report directly to the Chair of AHNC’s Board of Directors. Resources will be available from AHNC’s team of contractors.

DURATION:
The initial contract will be for a one-year period, ideally commencing in September, 2015. Successful completion of the initial contract may result in an extension.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:
Proposals must be submitted no later than August 14, 2015 at 5:00 PDT. Proposals should be in PDF format and emailed to lori@loribaxter.ca with the subject line: AHNC RFP. Inquiries can be made through lori@loribaxter.ca.

Proposals should include at a minimum:
-A description of the approach to be used
-Proponent’s timeline, including proposed hours for activities
-Resources or technology to be used
-Fee proposal and payment schedule
-Relevant experience and history
-Three references
-Resume for proponent and any sub-contractors proposed »

-posted with permission from Arts Health Network Canada
Read Arts Health Network Canada’s profile in our Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map