REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
African American Equity Impact Scorecard Capstone Report
AFRICAN AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF CDFI CEOs
LETTER OF INTENT DUE BY: Friday, October 17th, 2025
PROPOSALS DUE BY: Friday, October 24th, 2025
Company Background
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (the Alliance) is a coalition of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFls) committed to closing the wealth gap that exists in Black communities throughout the United States and identifying opportunities that will result in greater investments in the organizations led by these CEOs and thereby the communities they serve. As its mission, the Alliance is a membership-driven intermediary organization that aims to: build the capacity of member organizations; build bridges to economic stability, well-being, and wealth for Black individuals, families, and communities; and build power in Black communities by challenging and influencing financial sectors to operate more equitably.
Project Overview
For the past four years, the Alliance has led the African American Equity Impact ScorecardAfrican American Alliance of CDFI CEOs initiative, a signature initiative designed to help CDFIs assess and strengthen their impact in Black communities. As this transformative initiative comes to a close, the Alliance seeks a qualified consultant to produce a Capstone Report that documents its evolution, outcomes, and influence. This report will serve as a thought leadership resource, demonstrating how CDFIs have used the Scorecard to advance equitable lending and community investment. It will feature case studies from the most prolific champions of the Scorecard, highlight key learnings, and provide actionable insights that can directly guide decision-making, strategy, and implementation for CDFIs, funders, and the broader financial ecosystem.
The report will also summarize how the Alliance has integrated elements of the Scorecard into its ongoing work, ensuring that the principles and lessons learned continue to inform and strengthen future initiatives even after the formal close of the initiative Additionally, the report will offer recommendations for change agents and impact investors interested in launching similar equitable lending initiatives, drawing on the Scorecard’s infrastructure and learnings to support scalable, equity-focused impact strategies.
This project is both a reflective and strategic effort; it aims to celebrate the progress of the Scorecard community while providing insights and recommendations that can inform future equity-focused investment approaches. The Alliance seeks a consultant who can combine financial industry research, thoughtful analysis, and compelling storytelling to produce a Capstone Report that is grounded, informative, and impactful.
Project Goals
The goals of this project include:
I. Document of the Scorecard journey, including its origins, goals, milestones, challenges, key learnings, and overall impact.
II. Showcase real-work applications of the Scorecard through case studies that highlight its direct impact on equitable lending and community investment.
III. Capture the Alliance’s internal integration of the Scorecard framework to demonstrate how its principles continue to inform ongoing work.
IV. Provide recommendations for change agents and impact investors interested in launching similar equity-focused initiatives, grounded in the Scorecard’s infrastructure and learnings.
Scope of Work & Key Considerations
The consultant will be responsible for leading the development and production of a Capstone Report that reflects the evolution, outcomes, and influence of the African American Equity Impact Scorecard initiative. In addition to synthesizing existing materials and drafting new content, the consultant will collaborate with the Alliance Initiative Lead to manage the report’s development process and support its strategic dissemination. Responsibilities include:
1. Initiative Summary
a. Review and synthesize existing documentation (e.g., reports, dashboards, presentations) to summarize the Scorecard’s goals, development, milestones, challenges, and outcomes.
b. Incorporate findings from previously analyzed data to provide a concise yet informative narrative of the initiative’s journey.
2. Case Study Development
a. Develop three case studies for pre-selected projects assessed using the Scorecard
b. Integrate quantitative metrics and qualitative narratives to illustrate tangible outcomes, drawing from provided documentation and data, with follow-up interviews as needed.
c. Highlight key considerations for CDFIs interested in adopting similar equityfocused investment approaches, ensuring each case study offers practical insights and reflections.
3. Summary of the Integration at the Alliance
a. Summarize how the Alliance has embedded elements of the Scorecard into its ongoing work.
b. Use 2–3 examples provided by the Alliance, which may include internal interviews or meetings to gather additional context.
4. Recommendations for Change Agents and Impact Investors
a. Highlight 2–3 actionable recommendations for stakeholders interested in launching similar equitable lending initiatives.
b. Build on initial ideas from the Scorecard team and existing documentation to ensure recommendations are grounded in the initiative’s learnings and infrastructure.
5. Project Management & Dissemination
a. Collaborate with the Alliance Initiative Lead to develop a project timeline with clear milestones and regular check-ins.
b. Present drafts and case studies periodically for review and incorporate feedback into the final report.
c. Provide guidance on dissemination strategies to maximize the report’s visibility among key stakeholders
d. Support the final presentation or briefing of the report to key stakeholders, if requested.
Factors to Consider: These considerations should inform the proposed methodology, technology solutions, and project execution strategies.
In executing this project, vendors should take the following into account:
• This is a virtual project; no in-person engagement is required
Target Schedule
The target schedule and key milestones outlined below are intended as general guidance for the anticipated flow of the project. They reflect the Alliance’s desired outcomes, but we recognize that consultants may have alternative approaches or recommendations based on experience with similar projects.
Proposals should include a proposed schedule with key activities and deliverables that align with the scope, timeline, and objectives of the Capstone Report. The Alliance will review proposed schedules and work collaboratively with the selected consultant to finalize the project plan.
Phase 1 – Kickoff & Planning - Consultant onboarding with the Alliance team - Confirm scope, methodology, and research approach
Week 1
Initiative Summary Drafting
- Establish communication protocols and finalize project plan and schedule
-Synthesize Scorecard goals, history, milestones, and outcomes
-Draft initial summary section
-Submit for internal review and feedback Week 2-3
- Review of data for 3 selected projects and the respective stakeholders
Phase 2 – Case Study Development
- Conduct follow-up interviews stakeholders (if needed)
-Draft case studies integrating quantitative and qualitative insights
-Submit case studies for review
-Review data on 2-3 examples of the alignment of the Alliance’s work with the Scorecard framework
Week 4-7
Alliance Integration Section
Phase 3 –
Recommendations Section
-Conduct interviews or meetings with Alliance team members (if needed)
-Draft section summarizing how Scorecard principles have been embedded into Alliance’s ongoing work
-Submit draft for review
-Review Scorecard team’s initial ideas and recommendations
- Develop 2-3 final recommendations for change agents and impact investors
-Submit draft for review
Phase 4 – Review & Feedback
- Integrate all sections and collected feedback into a comprehensive draft
Week 8-9
Week 9 - 10
Week 10 - 11
Phase 5 –Finalization & Delivery
-Submit first full draft to Alliance team
- Incorporate any additional feedback from leadership and Lead Champions, refining analysis, case studies, and recommendations
- Deliver final Capstone Report (print-ready & digital)
- Include executive summary, visuals, and appendices, as appropriate following Alliance brand guidelines
-Advise on dissemination strategy
-Support the preparation of presentation or briefing materials for stakeholders (if needed)
Week 12
This project is expected to be completed within 10-14 weeks, requiring four hours of the consultant’s time per week. The project is expected to start in early November and conclude in early March of 2026. If this date needs to be adjusted, please include your revised proposed date, along with your reasoning for the schedule change. All proposed date changes will be considered.
Budget
The Alliance anticipates that the budget for the Scorecard Capstone Report project should be in the range of $7,200.00 - $11,200.00, inclusive of all research, analysis, case study development, and final report preparation.
Proposals should include:
• A detailed cost breakdown for all phases of the Capstone Report development
Proposal Format & Requirements
All proposals submitted in response to this RFP must include the following sections and information. Submissions should be concise, professional, and clearly demonstrate the consultant’s ability to meet the project objectives and deliverables. In no more than 10 pages, please provide the following:
1. Executive Summary
• Summary of why your firm is uniquely qualified to deliver this scope of work
• High-level overview of the proposed approach to developing the Capstone Report
2. Company Overview
• Provide a brief overview of your firm, including key personnel, relevant experience, and any distinguishing qualities
2. Approach and Methodology
• Detailed description of the methodology for report development
• Explanation of how information for each section of the report will be collected and synthesized
• Plan for integrating interviews, organizational data, and quantitative metrics
• Outline of strategies to ensure recommendations are practical, aspirational, and replicable
4. Project Management and Timeline
• Project work plan including key phases and milestones
• Proposed timeline with specific tasks, deliverables, and check-ins (aligned with project timeline in the RFP)
• Plan for internal and external stakeholder engagement
5. Team Qualifications
• Brief biographies of the project lead and key team members dedicated to this project, resumes should be included; they will not be counted towards the 10-page limit
• Relevant experience in impact reporting, equity-focused financial initiatives, and CDFI or nonprofit work
• Examples of previous reports, publications, or similar projects completed. Work samples should be included separately, they will not be counted towards the 10-page limit
6. Budget and Pricing
• Detailed breakdown of costs by phase or task, including:
o Consultant fees
o Estimated number of hours by phase/task
o Costs for optional tasks noted in the above table (stakeholder interviews, staff interviews, and preparation of presentation or briefing materials for stakeholders)
o Costs for additional engagement (e.g., conference panels, workshops)
• Total proposed cost for the project
8. References
• Minimum of two professional references from prior clients with similar projects
• Include contact information and a brief description of the project completed
8. Proposal Submission Requirements
• Proposals must be submitted electronically as a PDF to ljean-jacques@aaacdfi.org
• Submission deadline: October 24th, 2025, by 11:59pm EST. Late submissions will not be considered
• Any questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to ljeanjacques@aaacdfi.org by October 17th, 2025
Evaluation Criteria
What We’re Looking for in Potential Vendors
The Alliance seeks a consultant or consulting firm with demonstrated experience in research, analysis, and reporting in equity-focused, community-centered, and impact-driven initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess the following expertise and capabilities:
The Alliance will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
1. Deep Understanding of Equitable Lending and Community Impact
• Proven experience working on projects that advance racial, economic, or social equity, preferably in the financial services or community development sectors
• Strong knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Black communities and BIPOC populations, particularly related to wealth building, equitable lending, and access to capital
• Understanding of CDFIs and their role in community development, social impact, and financial inclusion
2. Experience in Impact Measurement and Data Analysis
• Demonstrated ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to measure social impact, project outcomes, and organizational performance
• Experience translating complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for multiple stakeholders
• Ability to evaluate collective community-level impact and synthesize trends across multiple organizations or projects
3. Storytelling and Case Study Development
• Expertise in conducting interviews, developing case studies, and capturing narratives that illustrate tangible outcomes and lessons learned
• Ability to highlight organizational innovation, success stories, and challenges in a compelling and professional manner
• Experience presenting findings visually and textually, using charts, graphics, and storytelling to make results clear and engaging
4. Strategic and Practical Recommendations
• Ability to provide actionable recommendations for organizational strategy, program development, and investment decisions based on Scorecard insights
• Experience advising organizations on the adaptation and application of social impact tools, frameworks, or evaluation strategies
• Capacity to propose approaches for sustaining tool influence and relevance across diverse organizational contexts, including those serving populations beyond Black communities
5. Project Management and Collaboration
• Strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple stakeholders, and coordinate with client teams
• Experience facilitating collaboration across organizations or communities and integrating input from diverse stakeholders into final deliverables
• Capacity to deliver high-quality work products on time, within budget, and in alignment with the Alliance’s mission and objectives
6. Communication and Engagement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports, presentations, and supporting materials
• Comfort presenting findings to leadership teams, boards, funders, and public audiences
• Ability to provide guidance on ongoing knowledge sharing and strategic use of report insights across the Alliance network
7. Budget Consideration
• Proposals with competitive pricing aligned with the Alliance budget of $7,200.00$11,200.00 will be scored higher than those exceeding this range
Submission Instructions
To be considered, bidders must:
● Meet all evaluation criteria outlined above
● Submit proposals by Friday, October 24th, 2025, by 11:59 pm.
● Notify Laudz Jean-Jacques, ljean-jacques@aaacdfi.org , of the intent to submit no later than Friday, October 17th, 2025
● Ensure the proposal includes all required sections and adheres to the 10-page limit
● A proposed schedule must also be included and clearly expressed
Contact Information For questions or concerns related to this RFP, please contact: Laudz Jean-Jacques, Senior Program Director, ljean-jacques@aaacdfi.org (910) 849-2963