Cook County Issues Call for Technical Assistance for New Readiness and Capacity Building Initiative
(Cook County, IL) Cook County is now accepting applications from organizations and firms qualified to develop capacity building resources and provide technical assistance as part of the Cook County Readiness and Capacity Building Initiative (RCBI). The RCBI will provide a centralized source for technical assistance and capacity building programming and resources for organizations interested in applying for grant opportunities offered by Cook County, as well as those currently receiving funding from the County.
“The Cook County Readiness and Capacity Building Initiative will help us advance equity in grantmaking for local organizations,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “By working with skilled, culturally competent technical assistance providers, we will increase access to capacity building support that helps community-based organizations meet key needs and achieve greater stability.”
RCBI is part of the County’s strategic efforts to advance equity in grantmaking in Cook County. The initiative builds on the Cook County Starting Block Grant initiative which provides grant funding for community-based organizations in diverse sectors to engage in capacity building projects to help promote organizational health, growth and sustainability.
“Through our long history of grantmaking and partnership with community-based organizations, we recognize the obstacles many agencies face in applying for and sustaining government funding,” said Avik Das, Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. “The RCBI will help address obstacles to success by providing responsive resources and individualized support to community-based organizations. Cook County is proud to be designing an initiative that will come alongside these organizations and help them access opportunities and unlock pathways to growth and success.”
The Cook County Justice Advisory Council will be the lead agency administrating the RCBI.
In the first phase of the RCBI, Cook County is seeking qualified organizations or firms experienced in designing, implementing, and delivering culturally competent and relevant technical assistance and capacity building services to organizations of varying sizes, missions, sectors, and geographic areas. Qualified applicants must have experience providing services in at least one of the following service categories:
Readiness and Capacity Building Program and Curriculum Development
Services may include but are not limited to: working with the County to identify gaps in knowledge and resources needed by organizations seeking funding; designing and delivering trainings, workshops, and information sessions; and maintaining a library of capacity building resources.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Services
These services center on targeted support to organizations to meet key needs. Services may include but are not limited to: assistance with program design and grant proposals; budget development and fiscal management; data management, including design and data collection methods; technology solutions; and organizational development and strategic planning.
Firms may submit qualifications to provide services in one or both of the overarching service categories. The request for qualifications (RFQ) for technical assistance for Cook County’s RCBI and resources for the opportunity are available through the Cook County procurement portal: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/current-contract-opportunities.
An optional Pre-Submittal Conference for the opportunity will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 10-11am. Click to join. Questions about the RFQ and application process must be submitted to the Office of Procurement by Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 10am. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 20, 2024 via the Bonfire Hub, Cook County’s procurement portal.
*The deadline for applications has been extended to Wednesday, March 27 at 5pm.