Request for Proposals 

Request for Proposals (RFP) 
for Strategic Planning Consultant(s)
Strategic Plan 2026-2028

1. Overview of the Northern Saskatchewan International Children’s Festival (NSICF)

The Northern Saskatchewan International Children’s Festival Inc. is the organization that runs the annual Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan.

The Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan is an arts-based festival where our children play and learn. We welcome thousands of eager children, parents, educators, and caregivers through our gates for a fun-filled four-day celebration of all things play! Our festival introduces children to cultural events, artistic experiences, engaging activities and diverse performances created just for them. 

The children of Saskatchewan have been enjoying our festival for over 35 great years, whether that be at our festival home in Kinsmen Park, or by taking part in our free online programming. We are proud to be an inclusive festival, offering multicultural programming that embraces all orientations and abilities. Our festival is reflective of our great community and will always promote children’s mental health while maintaining accessible programs for all children to play and learn together.

2. Purpose of the RFP

NSICF seeks proposals from qualified consultants or consultant teams to develop a strategic plan to guide our organization from 2026 through 2028. This plan should reflect a comprehensive vision that aligns with the evolving needs of Saskatchewan’s arts and outdoor festivals community.

As a part of this process, the NSICF Board of Directors will hold a strategic planning session in the Winter of 2025/2026. The successful consultant(s) will participate in this retreat, facilitating early discussions to set the foundation for the strategic plan.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant(s) will work closely with NSICF staff and board members to design and implement a strategic planning process that includes but is not limited to:

• Environmental Scan: Analyze trends, opportunities, and challenges in the arts and culture festival landscape at the provincial and national levels.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Consult with diverse stakeholders to understand the needs, challenges, and aspirations for the future of the Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan.

• Strategic Direction Development: Formulate goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes for NSICF that reflect stakeholder feedback and organizational aspirations.

• Implementation Plan: Outline a plan to achieve the strategic goals, including timelines and resource allocation.

• Evaluation Framework: Develop a framework to measure the strategic plan's progress and impact over the planning period.

4. Key Deliverables

The deliverables for this project include:

• A detailed project plan and timeline

• Summaries of stakeholder consultations

• Facilitation and support for the NSICF Strategic Planning Session

• Draft and final versions of the Strategic Plan, covering vision, mission, values, goals, and strategic priorities

• An implementation and evaluation framework

• Final presentation to NSICF’s board of directors

5. Budget

The budget for this project is up to $10,000 and is contingent on grant funding.

6. Proposal Requirements

Please include the following in your proposal:

• Consultant or Team Profile: A description of your qualifications and relevant experience, including an overview of previous strategic planning work in the arts or non-profit sector.

• Approach and Methodology: A summary of your proposed approach to the strategic planning process, including stakeholder engagement and data collection techniques.

• Timeline: A proposed timeline with major milestones, including participation in the strategic planning session with the board.

• Budget: A detailed budget that outlines all fees and expenses, not exceeding the available project funds.

• References: Contact information for two references from similar projects.

7. Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevant experience and qualifications

• Proposed approach and methodology

• Demonstrated understanding of the arts sector in Saskatchewan

• Cost-effectiveness and value

• Quality of references

8. Submission Details

• Deadline for Submission: September 4th, 2025

• Submission Format: Please email your proposal in PDF format to gm@childrensfestsk.ca

• Inquiries: For any questions, contact Kayla Rourke, General Manager, NSICF, gm@childrensfestsk.ca, 306-664-3378

9. Timeline

• RFP Released: August 15, 2025

• Submission Deadline: September 4th, 2025

• Consultant Selection and Notification: September 9th, 2025

• Project Start Date: September 10th, 2025

• Strategic Planning Session: TBD - in Winter 2025/2026

• Project Completion: Spring/Summer 2026

10. Terms and Conditions

NSICF reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and is not obligated to proceed with the lowest-cost proposal. During the review process, NSICF may request additional information or clarification from applicants.

NSICF is committed to creating an inclusive process that respects diverse voices and perspectives from people across Saskatchewan. We encourage proposals from consultants with experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion in strategic planning

We look forward to receiving your proposals!