ACLU SOCAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Celebrating a Century of Civil Liberties in Southern California

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California seeks to hire an experienced and organized creative producer with diverse credentials for six to eight months to coordinate and produce a unique, 100-day summer activation in celebration of the ACLU SoCal's centennial year in 2023. This is once-in-a-lifetime commemoration that will require creativity, connections, and experience in marketing and event production both immersive and digital.

The goal of the activation is twofold: (1) to educate the public across the eight counties we serve about the vital work and impact that the ACLU SoCal has made and will continue to make in the region and (2) to cultivate and deepen relationships with local community members, artists, and activists; cultural, social justice, and civic groups and institutions.

ACLU SOCAL BACKGROUND 

The ACLU SoCal comprises two separate legal entities, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (a 501c3) and American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (a 501c4), which works to defend the civil liberties of all people as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 

For nearly 100 years, through litigation, policy advocacy, media advocacy, and organizing, the ACLU SoCal has fought to secure and protect the civil rights of all people — namely women, youth, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary people, immigrants and refugees, members of minority religions, people with disabilities, people experiencing poverty or houselessness, and people who are incarcerated.

In addition to having offices in Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties, the ACLU SoCal covers issues in Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Although both the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the ACLU of Southern California are part of the same overall organization, it is necessary to have two separate entities to enable the network to do the broad range of work necessary to protect civil liberties. Both entities support the ACLU's extensive litigation, policy advocacy, and communications programs. However, certain important activities carried out by the ACLU cannot be supported with tax-deductible gifts. This is primarily in the area of lobbying, because federal law limits the amount that a tax-exempt organization like the ACLU Foundation of Southern California can spend on lobbying. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California is a tax-exempt, non-profit advocacy organization to which membership dues are paid. Membership dues and other contributions to either the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California are not tax-deductible. The ACLU Foundation of Southern California is a tax-exempt, non-profit charity that provides legal assistance and conducts educational programs and activities. Donations to the ACLU Foundation of Southern California are tax-deductible. 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the activation is to commemorate the ACLU SoCal's century-old legacy in the region through a series of events, experiences, and marketing activities and engage our supporter base while expanding it to include more diverse audiences. The producer will build upon research and introductory networking with SoCal institutions conducted this past year. 

Key Objectives

• Coordinate the planning and execution of a centennial activation;
• Work closely with the ACLU SoCal Communications & Media Advocacy team to plan and budget the centennial activation;
• Building upon the ACLU SoCal's established networks, cultivate partnerships with institutions not limited to arts, culture, etc.;
• Contract and work closely with a firm to produce an array of events and experiences across the SoCal region over 100 days from May 15 to August 3, 2023

Expected Outcomes

• Partnerships with regional institutions and corporations;
• Earned press and marketing hits;
• High attendance and participation at events and experiences;
• Increase in revenue through merchandise purchases and donations;
• Increase in ACLU SoCal volunteers, supporters, and subscribers

PRICING AND PAYMENT TERMS

Pricing and payment terms guidelines, which are: 

• Pricing is on a fixed-fee, per project basis, 
• Pricing is inclusive of all incidental expenses, 
• No more than 50% will be payable at the outset, and
• No less than 25% will be retained pending completion and final approval of work product. 

PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Find a list below of information that we expect to receive in your proposal. 

Introduction 

• Understanding of the purpose of the activation and how working together will achieve that purpose. 
• Overview of your expertise, background, and credentials. 

Strategic Approach

• Detailed description of your suggested approach, division of labor, and why you believe your approach will generate credible results. 

Timeline 

• Tentative key dates for stages of planning and execution

Deliverables 

• Working list of what deliverables you expect to provide.

Budget 

• Range of costs that cover the scope of the work including incidental expenses.

Proposals should be submitted via email by Wednesday, September 21, 2022 to: Marcus Benigno, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, ACLU SoCal, marcus@aclusocal.org.

For questions, see additional contact info at the bottom of this request. 

EVALUATION FACTORS 

Diversifying our vendor base is very important to the ACLU of Southern California. We will be evaluating offers based on the following factors as minimum requirements: 

• Indvidiauls/firms based in California or those with substantial experience in California;    
• Credentials of firm and proven experience of working with like-minded clients in the non-profit sector; 
• Cost-effective; 
• Ability to understand the purpose of the project and design an audit process that aligns with key objectives; and 
• Experience producing and executing marketing events.

SCHEDULE FOR PROPOSAL EVALUATION

CONTACT

For more information on this RFP, please contact: 

Marcus Benigno (he/him/his)
Chief Communications & Marketing Officer
ACLU of Southern California
213.977.5249 
marcus@aclusocal.org