1) About Handmade Arcade (HA):

HA was founded in 2004 and gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status in 2017. HA’s mission is to empower makers of all ages by providing them with professional development and connections to customers. We do this through year-round programs and services for makers, including hosting Pittsburgh’s largest holiday shopping event every December as well as two additional annual markets, maker education workshops, an online Maker Directory, accelerator cohorts for BIPOC makers and youth makers, and more. We are guided by core values of anti-racism, collaboration, financial sustainability, transparency, and equity. 

Our annual operating budget has grown from $199,485 in 2024 to over $600,000 in 2026. Our full-time staff expanded from one to three people in early 2025. We are supported by a board of ten directors. 

The organization’s first-ever strategic plan was created in 2022, and implementation began in 2023. While the end of 2025 was the timeline for completion of this first strategic plan, HA’s leadership extended the timeline through 2026 due to the organization’s first Executive Director transition in early 2024. As we navigate a pivotal time in HA’s budget and staff growth, we recognize the need for a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide our work over the next three to five years.

2) Project Description:

HA seeks proposals from qualified agencies and/or consultants to facilitate a strategic planning process that will result in a clear, actionable strategic plan. The selected agency or consultant will work closely with our Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, and key constituents to: 

• Assess our current organizational capacity, scope, programs, and impact

• Facilitate constituent engagement sessions (board, staff, makers, partners, funders, etc.) 

• Conduct environmental scanning and competitive analysis 

• Review financial sustainability and revenue diversification opportunities 

• Facilitate strategic visioning and goal-setting sessions

• Develop a comprehensive 3-5 year strategic plan including mission/vision/values review, strategic priorities, measurable objectives, and implementation timeline 

• Develop an implementation budget and framework

• Present final plan to the board for approval

3) Deliverables:

The selected agency or consultant will be expected to deliver:

• A detailed project workplan with timeline and milestones

• Constituent engagement plan and facilitation of 4-6 sessions

• Environmental scan and organizational assessment report

• Draft strategic plan for review and feedback

• Final strategic plan document 

• Executive summary (1-2 pages) 

• Implementation framework and budget, including financial projections for execution of each strategic priority and a detailed staffing plan correlating with financial projections

• Board presentation of final strategic plan

4) Project Timeline:

We estimate that this project will take approximately 6-8 months from contract execution to final deliverable. Our preferred timeline is: 

Proposal Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026

Consultant Selection: March 27, 2026 

Project Kickoff: Early April

Project Completion: December 2026

5) Budget:

The estimated budget for this project is up to $18K, understanding that adjustments to scope of project and deliverables may be necessary.

6) Proposal Requirements:

Proposals may be submitted in whatever format and style is preferred by agency or consultant. Proposal should, at minimum, contain the following information: 

• Agency or Consultant Information 

• Experience & Expertise

• Please include at least two examples of previous strategic plans shared with client permission

• Methodology & Approach 

• Project Timeline

• References 

• Detailed Budget

7) Proposal Evaluation Rubric:

• Company Experience & Demonstrated Results (30%): Proposal demonstrates expertise in nonprofit strategic planning and experience working with organizations of similar size and mission

• Values (25%): Proposal demonstrates agency or consultant’s ability to conduct a strategic planning process that is rooted in HA’s values of anti-racism, equity, transparency, financial sustainability, and collaboration

• Planning Approach & Timeline Management (25%): Proposal demonstrates a clear strategy and methodology for project completion that is specifically tailored to Handmade Arcade’s needs and communicates the capacity to accomplish the project within the provided timeline

• Approach to Budget & Cost Effectiveness (20%): Proposal demonstrates an effective and efficient approach to delivering quality services within the allocated budget. Budget is reasonable, detailed, and appropriate.

  We will give priority to agencies led by and/or Consultants who are BIPOC folks, folks who are part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and/or folks with disabilities. Companies not in alignment with HA’s core values of anti-racism, equity, transparency, collaboration, & financial sustainability will not be considered.

8) Contact Information:

Questions, clarifications, and proposals should be submitted to: 

Kelsey Ford (she/her), Executive Director 

kelsey@handmadearcade.org | 412-204-6279