here - National Institute for Reproductive Health

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
May 13, 2015
Funding Opportunity from the National Institute for Reproductive Health and All* Above All
The National Institute for Reproductive Health (National Institute) works in states and localities across
the country to promote reproductive rights and expand access to reproductive health care, including
abortion; reduce unintended pregnancies; and empower youth to make healthy sexual and reproductive
decisions. The National Institute develops and implements innovative and proactive approaches to
galvanize public support, change policy, and remove barriers to care. By working through a partnership
model to support local and state advocacy, the National Institute addresses issues of national
significance and helps to shift the overall culture.
The National Institute believes that authentic partnerships between local- and state-based reproductive
health, rights, and justice advocates, built on mutual respect and learning, are essential to achieving our
collective goals. Such partnerships ensure that skills and information are shared efficiently, while also
lifting up the voices of the people who know their communities the best – the advocates that live within
them – and enabling these advocates to adapt or develop ideas and strategies that meet their
community’s unique needs.
The National Institute provides funding coupled with targeted technical assistance, capacity building,
and networking opportunities to strengthen connections between and among local, state, and national
partner organizations. Our partnerships support local- and state-based proactive initiatives that are
responsive to specific opportunities to advance the goals of the reproductive health, rights, and justice
movements, and are grounded in the work of the National Institute across the country and our sister
organization, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, in our home state.
The National Institute is pleased to release this request for proposals in collaboration with the All*
Above All campaign. All* Above All unites organizations and individuals to build support for lifting the
bans that deny abortion coverage. The National Institute has been a proud member of the All* Above All
campaign since its launch. We are thrilled to be able to support our shared vision of restoring public
insurance coverage so that every woman, however much she makes, can get affordable, safe abortion
care when she needs it.
GRANTS FOR ADVOCACY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
The National Institute is now accepting proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations to support planning
grants for local projects that build public support for lifting the bans on insurance coverage of
abortion and/or increase access to affordable abortion care. The National Institute’s grants will range
from $5,000 to $10,000. The project grant cycle is July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.
With the understanding that achieving wins in reproductive health, rights, and justice is neither easy nor
simple, these six-month grants are intended to support organizations evaluating the possibility of taking
action on one of the two projects outlined below, and/or to begin the work necessary to achieve a win.
However, organizations that believe they can achieve a win within the six month period are also strongly
encouraged to apply.
The National Institute views all funded organizations as partners, and to that end, each grant is one part
of a package of strategic support. In addition to funding and individualized technical assistance from
staff at the National Institute and All* Above All, each partner will receive support through the National
Institute’s Capacity Building Program (CBP), including access to webinars that address common
challenges and membership in a project-based cohort. Cohorts will “meet” in a series of conference calls
throughout the grant period, during which partners can share information and ask questions of each
other and of National Institute and All* Above All staff. Other opportunities for collaboration and
sharing within the cohort will be made available as they are identified. The CBP is designed to both
strengthen each partner’s current work as well as to build their network of allies in the movement.
The National Institute believes that engaging in this ongoing process of sharing information and making
connections both builds the capacity and knowledge of each partner organization for the long-term and
strengthens and enriches the National Institute’s own understanding of reproductive health, rights, and
justice across the country.
About the Grants
Achieving wins in reproductive health, rights, and justice is neither easy nor simple. Recognizing
this, the National Institute and All* Above All are excited to be able to offer funding to
organizations looking to begin research and planning for a proactive initiative on access to safe,
affordable abortion care.
While we encourage proposals from organizations that believe they can achieve success on one
of the two projects outlined below within the six-month grant period, we realize that for many,
if not most communities, this will be a longer journey. Funded proposals that yield promising
results within this grant period will be encouraged to apply for a second round of funding in Fall
2015 to support ongoing advocacy. For both projects, organizations are strongly encouraged to
collaborate with local stakeholders, coalition partners, and/or policymakers in planning as
appropriate.
Building Public Support for Insurance Coverage of Abortion
Because so many continue to see insurance coverage of abortion, particularly public coverage,
as the “third rail” of abortion politics, strategies that demonstrate the existence of public
support for coverage, and that show that local leaders can be rewarded for their support of this
issue, are incredible valuable as the movement builds towards a repeal of funding bans. Grants
of up to $5,000 are available to support planning for, and/or passage of a local resolution by any
appropriate local body, including the city council, county commission or board of supervisors, or
a board of health.
Though the ultimate goal of this project should be passage of a resolution, the National Institute
and All* Above All believe that it is equally important to educate and engage community
members and organizational allies alike in order to ensure maximum impact of your win and to
build towards culture change. Therefore, successful proposals will demonstrate a commitment
to using this advocacy opportunity to educate their communities on the negative impact of bans
like the Hyde Amendment, and to engage them as supporters of abortion coverage. We
welcome proposals from communities that might face hostile lawmakers or organized antichoice opposition.
Passing a Local Policy to Increase Access to Safe, Affordable Abortion Care
Passing policy on the local level to expand women’s access to abortion care is a huge step
forward to creating meaningful change. Not only do the Hyde Amendment and similar bans
continue to make it difficult if not impossible for women who qualify for public insurance to
access affordable abortion care, but anti-choice politicians across the country continue to pass
additional bans on coverage, including for local and state government employees, for plans
offered on the state health exchanges, and/or for all plans offered in the state. Grants of up to
$10,000 will support organizations seeking to pass a policy that would increase access to safe,
affordable abortion care, including establishing a local source of funding for residents seeking
abortion care in states where Medicaid coverage of abortion is not available, passing a policy to
mandate insurance coverage of abortion for municipal employees, or another innovative
approach to these obstacles.
Note: If you are interested in pursuing this stream but need support in identifying potential
strategies for establishing a local source of funding, email Lauren Boc at [email protected] to
set up a time to talk with National Institute and All* Above All staff, who can provide some ideas.
PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
The National Institute is now accepting proposals to support the above outlined initiatives.
Please submit a proposal (maximum seven pages, not including cover sheet) that includes the following.
 Completed Coversheet (attached)
 Executive summary (1 paragraph)
 Brief summary of your project, including statement of the problem, goals, and objectives for
the grant period. Please be sure that your problem statement is specific to your community,
rather than a general overview of the many harms inflicted by the Hyde Amendment and
similar bans.
 Amount requested from the National Institute
 Organizational background (1-2 paragraphs)
 Brief summary of the organization, its mission and activities, and key constituencies
 Description of key staff, especially those involved with grant management and project
implementation
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A brief summary of your organization’s capacity to work on the creation and/or
implementation of this project or program, including your experience working on abortion
coverage issues and/or health care access for lower-income women, if any
Demonstrated support of elected officials and/or administrative agencies for work on this
project, if appropriate, or explain plans for developing that support. Letters of support are
welcome, but not required
 Objectives and Evaluation (one page or less)
 Describe your specific objectives over the course of the grant period and how progress on
said objectives will be evaluated.
o Highlight objectives that, if met, would serve as an indicator to you that your
proposed project could be successful in your community
 Context of the Proposal (1-2 paragraphs)
Describe the following:
 How will this project complement other organizational commitments? How does this fit into
your strategic plan, if you have one?
 Who are your organization’s closest allies in achieving the project goals, if any? Please
describe the nature of these relationships and existing buy-in from these and other partners
for this project.
 Who are the key stakeholders you will need to build relationships with to achieve your
goals? What steps do you foresee as necessary to build those relationships? What
challenges do you anticipate?
 Project Timeline (one page or less)
 Outline major activities, deliverables and benchmarks during this grant period.
 Anticipated Technical Assistance Needs and Timeline (1-2 paragraphs)
 Provide a brief summary of all anticipated technical assistance needs and at what steps of
the grant cycle they will be needed (see attached TA menu).
 Proposed Project Budget (1-2 paragraphs)
 Budget narrative detailing how funds would be used; funding granted will be based on the
resources needed to complete the proposed activities.
 Possible budget lines include staffing, coalition meetings, materials development, technical
costs (website, etc.), and other program costs.
Joint proposals are welcome. Additionally, special consideration will be given to:
1. Projects where the technical assistance provided by the National Institute will have a meaningful
impact.
2. Projects from organizations that are led by, engage, and/or represent communities of color
and/or low-income people.
THE SELECTION PROCESS AND DEADLINES
1. Distribution of Request for Proposal: The RFP will be distributed on May 13th, 2015.
Organizations that meet the criteria but did not receive the RFP directly are encouraged to
contact National Institute staff to discuss their application.
2. Interested organizations should sign up for a conference call on May 21st, 2015. National
Institute staff will host an informational conference call on May 21st that will provide potential
applicants with information about how the National Institute operates as a partner and tips on
preparing a successful proposal. Email Jenny Dodson Mistry at [email protected] to RSVP.
3. If interested organizations are unable to join the webinar, or have additional questions,
contact the National Institute: Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with
National Institute staff prior to submission. To schedule a conversation, please contact Lauren
Boc, Program Associate, at [email protected].
4. Final proposal submitted: Final proposals should be sent via email to [email protected] with
“RFP-Local Summer 2015” in the subject line and are due no later than 6:00 pm Eastern Time on
June 19th, 2015. Proposals will not be accepted after the deadline.
5. Proposal review and follow-up: Proposals will be reviewed by the Grants Committee and
additional information or clarification of the proposal may be requested of applicants following
the initial review.
6. Announcement of grant awards: Grant awards will be announced on a rolling basis; all
applicants will be notified of final decisions no later than June 30, 2015.
7. MOU signed: The National Institute will develop and agree to technical assistance goals and
expectations with grantees to be detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Technical Assistance Menu
National Institute staff can provide the following technical assistance to partners as needed. This list is
not exhaustive, and staff are also able to connect partners with organizations or individuals that can
provide additional support.
Policy Support
 Developing and drafting proactive legislation and amendments
 Connecting with other organizations working to develop similar proactive policies
 Legal analysis of existing and proposed legislation
 Legal research
 Connecting with national policy resources
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Assistance in the development of talking points and testimony
Communications
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Communications/Media plan development
Messaging strategy
○ Messaging advice and support
○ Message development/research
Media relations
○ Press strategy/media pitches
○ Access to a national database of reporters
Social media assistance
○ Writing sample tweets and FB posts
○ Support and training for graphics/design creation
○ Support for websites, microsites
Support for developing and writing issue briefs
Campaign Planning and Field Operations
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Campaign strategy and development
Support with field operations, including supporter identification, online engagement, and data
analytics
Understanding and using voter file systems
Volunteer management and leadership development
Coalition Building
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Coalition formation/planning
Coalition governance
Sample coalition documents
○ For example: commitment letters, MOUs, membership roles, etc.
Organizational Development
 Grant proposal support
 Staffing support
○ For example: job descriptions, recruitment, etc.
 Vendor/consultant recommendations (i.e. research/polling, communications, strategic planning)
National Institute for Reproductive Health
Submission for Local-Level Project: Coversheet
Organization Information:
Legal name
Projected 2015 budget
EIN number
Address
Phone number
Primary Contact for Grant Management:
Name
Title
Address
Phone number
E-mail address
Please list the contact information above for the person handling the grant preparation and submission.
Primary Contact for Project Management:
Name
Title
Address
Phone number
E-mail address
Please list the contact information above for the person who will be managing the project, if funded.
Project Area (please check one)
□ Abortion Coverage Resolution
□ Proactive policy on abortion coverage
Grant Amount Requested:
Your proposal should be sent as one document, with this cover letter as the first page (PDF or Word).
Please do not send multiple attachments.
For a MS Word version of this coversheet click here, or contact Lauren Boc at [email protected].