Request for Proposal - Program Transition & Strategic Partnership Opportunity
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Proposal Due Date: November 7, 2025
Introduction and Background
The Healing Racism Institute (HRI) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a qualified organization or coalition of organizations to assume ownership, adaptation, and continued delivery of HRI’s core programming and mission. Founded in 2012 and inspired by a visit to the Grand Rapids Institute for Healing Racism, HRI has worked for over a decade to build racism-free communities, organizations, and institutions through transformative learning and dialogue. HRI became a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021, offering its signature two-day “Healing Racism” seminars to thousands of Western Massachusetts community members—CEOs, volunteers, police officers, formerly incarcerated individuals, teachers, pastors, and many others. Participants also have come from Fortune 100 companies, grassroots nonprofits, municipalities, and small businesses. These individuals have sat together for hard, honest conversations about race and racism and left with a deeper understanding of one another and a stronger commitment to equity.
Like many organizations solely focused on anti-racism work, HRI has faced challenges in today’s nonprofit landscape. Funding streams have narrowed, and demand has shifted, even though the need for this work has never been greater. The Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that HRI’s mission continues. We recognize that the work of healing racism must endure, even if the structure of our organization evolves.
Purpose of the RFP
Over the past several months, HRI has engaged in meaningful community conversations to gather input and ensure that the voices of those served help shape next steps. HRI is seeking organizational partners by transferring stewardship of its programs to ensure the mission is carried forward with strength and sustainability. The purpose of this RFP is to invite proposals from mission‑aligned organizations with the capacity, experience, and vision to:
- Sustain and expand HRI’s anti-racism programming
- Integrate, adapt, or evolve the signature two-day “Healing Racism” seminar model
- Address both interpersonal and systemic racism
- Center the voices and experiences of Black and Brown communities
- Foster long-term community engagement and accountability
The ideal partner will absorb HRI’s programming, intellectual assets, and relationships, and take responsibility for leading the next chapter of this work in close collaboration with existing community stakeholders.
History and Context
Origins and Founding
HRI was born from a 2011 leadership exchange in Grand Rapids, MI, and formally launched in 2012. Founding partners included Baystate Health, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, and Holyoke Community College, among others. In 2021, HRI became an independent nonprofit organization.
Mission
The mission of the Healing Racism Institute (HRI) is to build racism-free communities, organizations and institutions. HRI is guided by a diverse group of individuals who believe that facilitating a sustained process of understanding the root causes and impact of racism can serve as a catalyst to overcome the historic and ongoing impact of racism on our society.
Signature Program
- Two-day in-person “Healing Racism” seminars
- Target audience: general public, institutions, nonprofit and corporate sectors
- Focus on personal transformation and interpersonal racism
Recent Challenges
- Model primarily focused on individual-level understanding, lacking structured “next steps”
- Insufficient engagement with structural/systemic racism
- Financial sustainability challenges with declining grant and program revenue
Scope of Work
We seek a partner to carry forward and improve upon HRI’s legacy. This may include:
- Program Continuity & Innovation
- Adapt the two-day Healing Racism seminar model
- Develop a more layered, systemic approach to anti-racism education
- Offer follow-up engagements, action planning, and accountability frameworks
- Expand to include trauma-informed support for people most impacted by racism
- Community Engagement
- Maintain and deepen relationships with community partners
- Ensure accessibility and inclusion in programming
- Operational Sustainability
- Build a financially viable model, including grant funding, earned income, and donor support
- Align anti-racism efforts with broader organizational goals if integrated into an existing nonprofit
- Equity Leadership
- Ensure Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are in leadership roles and meaningfully shaping the work
Assets and Support Offered
The selected partner will receive access to:
- $75,000 in starting capital to carry out the mission
- Program curricula and facilitation guides
- Historical documents and data
- Contact lists and past participant information (subject to privacy compliance)
- HRI branding and digital assets
- Strategic handoff support from HRI leadership and board
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) due by September 8, 2025.
Organizations must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored entity
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to racial equity and anti-racism
- Have experience in community engagement, facilitation, or racial justice programming
- Show organizational capacity to integrate or expand anti-racism initiatives
- Exhibit financial and administrative infrastructure to support the work
Proposal Requirements
Please submit a proposal that includes:
- Cover Letter
- Brief statement of interest
- Summary of qualifications and alignment with the mission
- Organizational Overview
- Mission and history
- Programs and services
- Key leadership and staff
- Vision for the Work
- How your organization would carry forward, evolve, and scale the programming
- How you would integrate systemic and interpersonal approaches to racism
- Plans for inclusivity and centering people most impacted by racism
- Implementation Plan
- Timeline for onboarding and program continuation
- Staffing and leadership plan
- Strategy for sustainability and funding
- Budget Summary
- High-level proposed budget for first year of programming
- Existing resources and funding you plan to leverage
- References
- Three professional references familiar with your racial justice work
Selection Criteria
After discussions with the community and an evaluation conducted by an independent consultant, our suspicions have been confirmed: there is a critical need for this work in
the community. However, we recognize that we are not currently equipped to
implement the long-range plans that have been recommended. As a result, we must
begin a transition process and identify the most effective way to continue this important
work through a partnering entity.
This transition must be handled with great care. HRI will engage in a thoughtful and
collaborative process with the selected organization. We view ourselves as active
participants in both the transition and the long-term success of the program. Our
commitment remains to ensure that the work continues in the best way possible.
To that end, as part of our decision-making process, we will be meeting with interested
organizations to ensure that the outcome and resulting partnership align with our
shared goal: building an anti-racism society and effectively serving the needs of the
community.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:
- Alignment with HRI’s mission and values
- Experience delivering racial equity programming
- Organizational capacity and sustainability plan
- Innovation and depth of proposed model
- Community and stakeholder engagement strategies
- Inclusivity and trauma-informed practices
Timeline
- August 29, 2025 RFP Released
- September 8, 2025 (12:00-1:00pm) Optional Info Session/Q&A
- September 19, 2025 LOI Due
- October 17, 2025 Proposal Submission Deadline
- October 23, 2025 *Finalist Notified
- October 27, 2025 Interviews Conducted
- November 7, 2025 Partner Selected & Announced
- Late 2025 (Exact dates to be determined and shared on HRI website.) Transition Planning Begins
Submission Instructions
Submit your full proposal as a single PDF to: Modesto Montero
Email: monteromodesto@gmail.com
Subject Line: RFP Submission – HRI Program Transition
Deadline: October 17, 2025
Late submissions will not be considered.
For questions about this RFP or to schedule an informational meeting, please contact:
Name: Modesto Montero
Email: monteromodesto@gmail.com
Phone: 901-628-9784
Final Note
We recognize this is an important moment—not just for HRI, but for the broader
community’s work toward racial justice. We are deeply grateful to all organizations and
individuals who are part of this movement. It is our hope that this transition will
strengthen and expand the impact of healing racism work in Western Massachusetts
and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this RFP?
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to identify a qualified, mission‑aligned organization or coalition of organizations to assume stewardship of the Healing Racism Institute’s (HRI) programming. The selected organization will be responsible for continuing, evolving, and expanding HRI’s anti‑racism work in a way that honors the Institute’s legacy while building for the future.
Why is HRI transitioning its programming to another organization?
HRI has faced challenges common to many anti-racism-focused nonprofits, including narrowed funding streams and shifts in program demand. While the need for the work remains urgent, HRI recognizes that continuing this mission may require a new structure. The Board of Directors has decided to seek a qualified partner to carry the work forward in a sustainable, community-centered way.
What is the history and mission of HRI?
The Healing Racism Institute was established in 2012 after a leadership visit to the Grand Rapids Institute for Healing Racism and became a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021. HRI’s mission is to build racism-free communities, organizations, and institutions through transformative learning, dialogue, and systemic engagement. Its work is grounded in the belief that understanding the root causes of racism is a critical step in eliminating its impacts.
What is HRI’s core programming?
HRI’s signature offering is a two-day, in-person Healing Racism seminar. This seminar brings together participants from all sectors—nonprofits, corporations, government, and grassroots organizations—for honest, structured conversations about race, racism, and identity. The sessions focus on interpersonal and personal transformation and have reached thousands of participants across Western Massachusetts.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects. Applicants must demonstrate a clear and sustained commitment to racial equity and anti-racism work, with a track record in community engagement, facilitation, or racial justice programming. They should also possess the operational, financial, and administrative infrastructure to sustain and grow HRI’s work.
Is there a preference for local organizations?
Yes. HRI strongly prefers that the selected organization be based in, or have deep ties to, Western Massachusetts.
What is the application timeline?
- The RFP will be released on August 29, 2025.
- An optional virtual information session will be held on September 8, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (link to be provided).
- Letters of Intent (LOI) are due by September 19, 2025.
- Full proposals are due by October 17, 2025.
- Finalists will be notified by October 23, 2025.
- Interviews will be conducted on October 27, 2025.
- The selected partner will be announced on November 7, 2025.
- Transition planning will begin in late 2025 (exact dates to be determined).
How should proposals be submitted?
- Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF document.
- Email submissions to: monteromodesto@gmail.com
- Subject line: RFP Submission – HRI Program Transition
- Submission deadline: October 17, 2025
- Late submissions will not be considered.
Will there be support during the transition?
Yes. HRI is committed to a collaborative and intentional transition process. The selected partner will receive strategic transition support from HRI’s leadership and Board of Directors, including access to historical documents, program materials, and community relationships to ensure continuity.
What financial and programmatic assets will the selected partner receive?
The selected organization will receive access to $75,000 in HRI’s remaining funds as operating capital to carry the work forward (not a grant). The partner will also receive HRI’s program curriculum and facilitation guides, branding and digital assets, relevant historical and program data (in accordance with privacy regulations), and contact lists from past participants.
Can the selected organization modify the HRI curriculum or branding?
HRI prefers that the name and branding remain intact to honor the organization’s history and impact. However, this is open to discussion during transition planning. Similarly, while the curriculum is a core part of HRI’s identity, there will be space to consider thoughtful adaptations that strengthen and expand the work.
Will the selected organization be required to retain existing HRI facilitators?
There is no formal requirement to hire or retain existing facilitators. However, it is strongly recommended that the selected organization consider engaging the experienced independent facilitators currently affiliated with HRI during the initial transition period, until new facilitators with appropriate experience and curriculum alignment are identified or trained.
What expectations does HRI have for the future of the programming?
HRI hopes the selected partner will continue the two-day seminar model and build upon it by integrating deeper systemic analysis of racism, expanding follow-up and accountability structures, applying trauma-informed practices, and centering the experiences of Black and Brown communities. The ideal partner will demonstrate a commitment to both personal and structural transformation.
What criteria will be used to evaluate proposals?
Proposals will be evaluated on alignment with HRI’s mission and values; experience in racial equity and anti-racism programming; organizational capacity and infrastructure; financial sustainability; innovation and depth of the proposed model; inclusivity; trauma-informed practices; and commitment to community and stakeholder engagement.
What if our organization cannot apply but still wants to support this transition?
HRI welcomes support from individuals and organizations that may not be able to apply but want to contribute. Opportunities include providing funding, collaborating on programs, amplifying outreach efforts, and volunteering expertise during the transition. Interested parties should contact Modesto Montero to explore potential partnerships or contributions.
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