Request for Proposals

We are seeking a Communications Consultant/Journalist to document the recent story of the Coalition for Housing All Workers and Their Families (CHAWTF) in West Marin; to develop and implement a strategy with Coalition members to share the story of the Coalition — its accomplishments and actions — with people in West Marin and the Bay Area; and to inspire people and organizations to support the Coalition in taking actions that make a difference.

Contract period: August 1-December 15, 2026 (50-70 hours)

Contract value: $15,000-$23,000 USD

  1. Fees: $8,000-$10,000

  2. Materials: $1,000-$3,000

  3. Translation/Interpretation: $3,000-$5,000

  4. Website Design: $3,000-$5,000

Please submit your proposal with budget and resume to CHAWTF Program Support Marcela at marcela@westmarinfund.org by 10 July 2026.

Project Brief

Project Title: Coalition Storytelling to Advance Housing Solutions for Workers in West Marin

Project Purpose: To increase awareness of the work of the Coalition and inspire people and organizations to join and increase its actions and impacts

Project Goals:

  1. Document the recent story of the Coalition for Housing All Workers and Their Families (CHAWTF) in West Marin; 

  2. Develop and implement an outreach strategy with Coalition members to share the Coalition’s story, accomplishments and upcoming actions in West Marin and the Bay Area; 

  3. Through a focused outreach campaign, convey a sense of accomplishment combined with a sense of urgency that the Coalition is active and making a difference; and 

  4. Inspire people and institutions to support the Coalition in taking actions that make a difference.

Background

The Coalition for Housing All Workers and Their Families brings together diverse stakeholders committed to advancing its mission, which is to inspire hope, take action, align resources, and advocate for change to ensure safe, stable, affordable housing for Latinos and other lower-wage workers and their families in West Marin.

The Coalition was established as part of an evolving process to provide affordable housing solutions for workers in West Marin based on recommendations of the Housing Action Study published in 2024. While much has been achieved in the last two years, there is a need to better articulate the Coalition's identity, purpose, value proposition, and collective story in a way that resonates among its members and with the community, partners, funders, and the wider public.

The Coalition seeks to engage a Communications Consultant to lead a participatory process that will gather perspectives from Coalition members and stakeholders, identify common themes, and develop a compelling and authentic narrative that reflects the Coalition's purpose, recent accomplishments, impact, and future aspirations.

The Consultant will also develop a communications strategy and implementation plan so that Coalition members can (a) consistently share the story and messaging when describing the Coalition's work, relevance, and contribution to West Marin, and (b) carry out a media and community campaign to mobilize support for the Coalition. 

At this time, the Coalition has 19 elected members. Of these, eight are individual community members, each with a single vote; and 11 are organizational members, each with a single vote. Three of the individual community members are Spanish-speakers. Organizational members are allowed to have up to two people representing their organization. Each member is required to attend six Coalition meetings a year and to participate in at least one workgroup (Community Organizing; Homes; Transition & Stability; Governance).

Objectives

The consultant will:

  1. Develop an integrated understanding of the Coalition's recent history, structure, activities, and accomplishments.

  2. Define and lead a participatory process to identify how Coalition members understand, describe and value the Coalition.

  3. Gather perspectives on the Coalition's value, distinctiveness, and contribution to West Marin, particularly the distinct accomplishments and progress towards housing workers and their families.

  4. Develop a collective narrative and messaging framework that can be used consistently by Coalition members and partners.

  5. Develop recommendations and budget for future communications, outreach, and audience engagement.

  6. Propose a visibility and mobilization campaign for early 2027.

Scope of Work

1. Desk Review

Review relevant materials, including but not limited to:

  • Housing Action Study

  • Full Coalition background materials (information sheet, member commitments, background, and others)

  • Workgroup proposals and reports

  • Full Coalition and Workgroup meeting materials and notes

The consultant will identify key themes, milestones, accomplishments, and existing narratives about the Coalition.

2. Stakeholder Interviews/Focus Groups/Surveys

Conduct individual or group interviews with Coalition members and key stakeholders. The expectation is to talk with at least 15 members of the Full Coalition and its Workgroups through individual interviews and focus groups in English and Spanish, with interpretation where needed. Additionally, an online survey can be used to gather information from a larger number of CHAWTF members.

Interviews should explore questions such as:

  • What is the Coalition?

  • What is the Coalition trying to achieve?

  • What makes the Coalition unique?

  • Why do you choose to invest your time and energy in the Coalition?

  • What value does the Coalition bring to West Marin?

  • How has the Coalition contributed to the community?

  • What has the Coalition achieved so far?

  • How is the Coalition different from other initiatives or collaborative efforts?

  • What would be lost if the Coalition did not exist?

  • What aspects of the Coalition are most meaningful to you?

  • How should others understand the Coalition's work and impact?

  • What aspirations do you have for the Coalition's future?

3. Participatory Workshop

Design and facilitate a workshop with Coalition members in English and Spanish (using simultaneous translation provided by the Coalition).

  • Reflect on findings from interviews.

  • Identify common themes and areas of alignment.

  • Explore the Coalition's identity, purpose, values, and vision.

  • Develop collective language to describe the Coalition.

  • Build consensus around the Coalition's story and messaging.

4. Narrative and Messaging Development

Based on the findings, develop:

  • A Coalition Story/Narrative document.

  • Core messaging framework.

  • Key messages for different audiences.

  • Messaging guidance for internal and external communications.

  • Recommendations for storytelling approaches and themes.

The narrative should reflect the authentic voices of Coalition members while providing a clear and cohesive framework for communication.

5. Communications and Outreach Recommendations

Develop recommendations for strengthening Coalition communications and outreach.

6. 2027 Communications Campaign Concept

Develop a strategic communications campaign proposal for 2027 that:

  • Builds awareness of the Coalition and its impact.

  • Strengthens stakeholder engagement.

  • Amplifies community stories and voices.

  • Highlights Coalition priorities and future action.

Deliverables

Based on the agreed proposal, the consultant will provide:

  1. Report of findings of desk review, interviews, surveys, workshops, to include an Executive Summary.

  2. Document narrating the Coalition Story in short and medium form (2 drafts for comment and final version).

  3. Communications and outreach recommendations for promoting the Coalition story in 2026 and 2027, including a communications campaign (2 drafts for comment and final version).

  4. Final presentation of findings and recommendations to Coalition members for adoption.

All documents need to be presented in English, but where appropriate quotations and comments can be given in Spanish. The Coalition plans to translate all documents into Spanish.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to use participatory, inclusive, and facilitative approaches that encourage broad stakeholder engagement and collective ownership of the final narrative and its promotion.

Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed over approximately 19 weeks.

Consultant Qualifications

The consultant should demonstrate:

  • Visible success in strategic communications and storytelling.

  • Proven experience in developing messaging frameworks, campaigns, and communication strategies.

  • Expertise in participatory coordination, stakeholder engagement and working with collaboratives and community-based initiatives. 

  • Strong qualitative research and synthesis skills.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

  • Ability to work in two languages with effective use of professional interpreters

  • Knowledge of rural communities in Coastal California, worker housing, and the Latino communities.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Governance Workgroup and work closely with Coalition members throughout the assignment.