Leadership Lexington County (LLC) Request for Proposal (RFP) Policy
1. Purpose & Vision The Leadership Lexington County (LLC) RFP process is designed to identify and support impactful nonprofit organizations serving Lexington County. This policy ensures a structured, transparent, and equitable selection process for nonprofit partnerships that align with LLC’s mission and class projects.
2. Application & Submission Guidelines
• The RFP application period will open annually from July 1st to October 31st.
• Only registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Lexington County are eligible to apply.
• Submissions must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Organizations that have been awarded an LLC project within the past 10 years must wait before reapplying
• Nonprofits not selected may reapply the following year
3. Evaluation & Selection Criteria Each submission will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Alignment with LLC’s mission: The nonprofit’s core programs should address key community needs.
• Community impact: The project should demonstrate a measurable benefit to Lexington County residents.
• Feasibility: The project should have a clear timeline, defined objectives, and achievable outcomes.
• Engagement opportunities: The nonprofit should provide hands-on opportunities for LLC class members, including both physical labor and skill-based volunteering.
• Sustainability: Preference will be given to projects with long-term impact and sustainable practices.
4. Review Process
• The LLC RFP Review Committee will conduct an initial screening to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements.
• Selected organizations may be invited for a verbal interview or presentation.
• The committee will narrow down the candidates and present a final selection of RFPs to the LLC class for voting.
• The Leadership Lexington County Board will select the project finalists by mid-December for consideration in the following year’s class project. The final project recipient will be chosen by the incoming class during the opening retreat.
5. Resubmission & Disqualification Policy
• Organizations previously awarded an LLC project may be considered for resubmission only at the discretion of the board.
• Nonprofits not selected may reapply the following year
• Nonprofits that fail to meet qualification parameters or submit incomplete applications will not be eligible for resubmission for one year unless corrections are made within the application period.
• Organizations that do not adhere to LLC’s project engagement requirements may be ineligible for future selection.
6. Project Implementation & Reporting
• Selected organizations must submit a three-to-five-minute video for class members to review during the class section meeting.
• A mid-year check-in with the LLC Board RFP committee will be conducted to evaluate progress.
• Upon project completion, the nonprofit must provide a final impact report, including metrics on community benefits and testimonials.
• LLC will conduct a follow-up call with the nonprofit to assess long-term impact and future engagement opportunities.
7. Volunteer & Community Engagement
• Nonprofits must provide LLC members with meaningful engagement opportunities, including but not limited to:
o Hands-on service projects
• Organizations should demonstrate how they engage volunteers and identify gaps in current volunteer support.
8. Financial Considerations
• Nonprofits should outline funding needs and allocation plans for any financial support from LLC.
• If applicable, organizations should provide information on matching funds, grant alignment, or fundraising initiatives that LLC’s support could enhance.
• Leadership Lexington County will not conduct fundraising efforts to support the general operations of participating organizations. All fundraising activities will be specifically designated for the completion of the Lexington County class project.
9. Visibility & Acknowledgment
• Selected nonprofits are expected to publicly recognize LLC’s contributions through:
o Social media, press releases, or events
o Testimonials or stories about LLC’s impact
o Signage or acknowledgments at the project site
10. Policy Review & Amendments
• This policy will be reviewed annually by the LLC RFP Review Committee to ensure alignment with best practices and community needs.