COVER LETTER
Jonah Raduns - Silverstein
440 Burroughs St. Ste. 195
Detroit, MI 48202
November 8, 2024
Jonah,
This proposal outlines a comprehensive strategy to support DSC’s strategic planning and operational needs, leveraging recent progress made through the Mellon grant and new staffing capacity. The consulting services will focus on building an infrastructure that supports sustainable growth, fund development, and onboarding for new hires Through a tailored approach to development, governance, and operational frameworks, we will position DSC to maximize its resources, achieve strategic goals, and ensure the preservation of Detroit’s music history.
I look forward to discussing this proposal in greater detail at your earliest opportunity.
Best,
Racheal Allen CEO, OPSIDIA
OPSIDIA is a woman, minority owned management consultancy specializing in providing fractional operations support, program design and technical assistance services. Through our diverse network of culturally competent practitioners, OPSIDIA helps our clients operationalize their visions by prescribing the precise interventions needed while managing costs. We're unapologetic about our desire to support initiatives that are led by or serve historically excluded communities. Founded in 2022 by Lean Six Sigma certified consultant Racheal Allen, OPSIDIA has quickly grown into a highly sought after firm due to our niched expertise in the areas of operations and program management. Our services include:
Capacity Building Services
Process Improvement
Performance Measurement
Change Management
Operational Plans
Systems Development
Standard Operating Procedures
Organizational Strategy
Program Design
Technical Assistance Support
Strategic Planning
We have a reputation for providing quality service and reliable advice. Our experience provides us with tools, techniques, and strategies that allow us to focus on the timely delivery of credible results.
RACHEAL ALLEN PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Racheal Allen is a Lean Six Sigma certified operations expert with twenty years of experience. In 2019, she created Operations School, a nonprofit with a mission to train, empower and equip BIPOC startup and nonprofit leaders with the skills to successfully manage and scale their organizations leveraging systems, automation and delegation strategies.
As CEO of OPSIDIA, Racheal leads a diverse team that empowers organizations to build capacity via program design and fractional operations support. Racheal is also co-founder of Centric Place, a first of its kind incubation space for Black arts, culture and entrepreneurship.
As a executive and consultant, she’s led operations for educational districts, foundations and complex nonprofits including Rebuild Foundation, Racquet Up Detroit, Midtown Detroit Inc. and Downtown Boxing Gym to name a few. Allen previously served as the founding Chief Operating Officer for Marygrove Conservancy, a transformational cradle to career initiative that represents the Kresge Foundation’s largest investment into a single project with a commitment of over $75M.
Recent recognition includes being named Small Business Hero of the Year by Connect313, a Young American Leader at Harvard Business School, Oakland County’s 40 Under Forty, DBusiness’ 30 in Their Thirties, Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under Forty, Great Expectations Award by the Detroit NAACP Branch and Notable Black Business Leaders by Crain’s Detroit Business. She is also the author of “Get Your Business Legit: A Guide to Starting, Launching and Scaling Your Startup”.
KHADIJAH JOHNSON PROJECT MANAGER
Khadijah Johnson is a passionate and motivated project manager with over 10 years of extensive experience in corporate enterprises as well as with small, women-led businesses and creative entrepreneurs. Her expertise encompasses project oversight and coordination, learning and development, and event execution.
Specializing in large-scale corporate change initiatives, Johnson focuses on training and communication strategies that leverage innovative solutions for successful implementation. She also collaborates with women-led businesses and creative entrepreneurs to refine their projects, helping them build solid foundations for ongoing success.
A proud graduate of the Uprep Charter School system, Johnson received the prestigious Thompson Scholarship to attend Grand Valley State University, where she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Communications and Public and Nonprofit Administration. She later obtained a Master’s in Public Health from Western Michigan University.
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for logistics, Johnson excels at streamlining processes and ensuring seamless project execution, ultimately enhancing efficiency and outcomes. Her personal mantra of turning passion into purpose, drives her to seek meaningful opportunities that align her professional goals with her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.
SCOPE OF WORK
After a follow-up discussion with Jonah Raduns-Silverstein, OPSIDIA understands Detroit Sound Conservatory current needs as follows:
Objectives
Strategic Planning: Facilitate a strategic planning process that aligns DSC’s mission with sustainable growth initiatives.
Infrastructure Development: Build a robust operational foundation to support new hires and align with DSC’s long-term objectives.
Fund Development: Develop a comprehensive fund development plan to diversify revenue streams and ensure financial sustainability.
Program and Historical Preservation Planning: Establish core principles and program structures that safeguard and celebrate Detroit's music history.
Board and Governance Support: Support governance improvements, including board term limits and succession planning, to strengthen DSC’s leadership.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
I. Strategic Planning & Facilitation
Phase 1: Discovery and Assessment
Conduct initial interviews with DSC leadership, board members, and key stakeholders to understand current challenges, opportunities, and organizational goals.
Review DSC’s recent grant activities, mission, and goals to identify strengths and areas for growth.
Phase 2: Strategic Planning Sessions
Facilitate a series of strategic planning sessions between January and June 2024, engaging board members and staff in a collaborative visioning and goal-setting process. Develop actionable goals with clear timelines, metrics for success, and accountability structures for tracking progress.
Phase 3: Documentation and Implementation
Produce a strategic plan document, including a roadmap for fund development, program expansion, and historical preservation principles.
SCOPE OF WORK
II. Infrastructure and Operations Development
Operational Workflow Design
Design efficient workflows for DSC’s daily operations, fund development activities, and program execution.
Outline roles, responsibilities, and communication channels to ensure cohesive operations across departments.
Onboarding and Training Program for New Hires
Develop an onboarding program tailored to DSC’s new hires, including an Outreach Manager and Development Director.
Provide actionable plans and clear job descriptions that align with DSC’s long-term objectives and values.
Technology and HR Systems Consultation
Collaborate with Tech Town for recruitment support and consult on HR and operational technology solutions to streamline onboarding and communication.
III. Fund Development and Earned Revenue Planning
Fund Development Plan
Create a fund development plan that identifies potential revenue streams, including grants, partnerships, and earned revenue.
Define a strategy for donor engagement, grant management, and long-term sustainability.
Budgeting and Financial Forecasting
Assist in creating a budget that aligns with DSC’s strategic goals and provides realistic forecasting for program and fund development initiatives.
Review existing financial processes and recommend any necessary adjustments to enhance transparency and accountability.
SCOPE OF WORK
IV. Governance and Succession Planning
Board Development and Succession Planning
Support the activation of the governance committee to implement board term limits and improve board self-awareness.
Design a succession plan that ensures seamless transitions in leadership, emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and mission alignment.
V. Program Development and Historical Preservation
Core Principles for Music Preservation and Archival
Collaborate with DSC’s board and staff to establish core principles for the preservation of Detroit’s music history.
Develop program structures that align with these principles and engage the community in preserving and celebrating this heritage.
PROJECT TIMELINE
November 2024: Proposal review and final approval by the DSC board
December 2024: Discovery and assessment phase; review of relevant documents and grant details.
January - June 2024: Strategic planning sessions, onboarding development, and fund development plan creation.
June 2024: Finalization of strategic plan document, onboarding program, and fund development plan.
DELIVERABLES
Strategic Plan Document
Operational Workflow and Onboarding Program
Fund Development Plan and Budget
Governance and Succession Plan
Core Principles for Music Preservation
SCOPE OF WORK
ENGAGEMENT III: STRATEGIC PLAN DELVEOPMENT BACKGROUND
As a secondary step after aligning and agreement on the implementation of infrastructure for the identified areas of programming and strategy, the development of the Strategic Plan can proceed.
ACTIVITIES
Assessing Goals and Objectives
Draft initial goals and objectives based on stakeholder input and data analysis, which will serve as a starting point for discussions for the strategic planning.
SWOT Anaylsis
Complete Perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to evaluate internal capabilities and external factors that may impact the organization. This helps in identifying critical areas to focus on during planning.
Strategies and/or Action Plans
Detailed strategies for reaching goals, including the specific actions needed, timelines, and responsible parties. With special considerations to the stakeholder engagement and grants requirement .
Performance Metrics and Evaluation
Including the criteria for measuring progress toward goals, including key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess effectiveness.
DELIVERABLES
Strategic Plan that outlines the goals, and obejctives, data reporting the from SWOT anaylsis, strategies/action plans and the performance metrics
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
OPSIDIA proposes providing the above services according the following fee schedule:
Six Months of Fractional Operations Services:
Principal Consultant - Racheal Allen
Project Manager/Administrative Support - Khadijah Johnson
As needed support from OPSIDIA network:
Up to a (60) minute weekly team meeting
MONTHLY INVESTMENT
$6,250.00
INVESTMENT: $37,500.00
