Community Engagement RFP

Request for Proposals

Community Engagement Lead

ANCHOR – North Nashville Community Nourishment Hub

1. Background

NashvilleHealth and the Heart of Nashville collaborative are developing ANCHOR (Advancing Nashville’s Community Health, Ownership, and Resilience), a resident-led nourishment hub in North Nashville featuring elements such as a community grocery, teaching kitchen, café, food-is-medicine programming, and workforce development. ANCHOR builds on the Heart of Nashville Wellness Opportunity Zone, which has connected Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (MWCHC) patients to culturally relevant, heart-healthy meals and social supports.

The next phase is to define what kind of community food center ANCHOR should be, based on resident input and lessons from strong community-based food access models. NashvilleHealth, on behalf of its Heart of Nashville partner organizations, seeks a community engagement coordinator to guide and deliver a clear, resident‑informed recommendation.

3. Scope of Work

Estimated 10–20 hours/week, starting early Summer 2026 with goal completion being end of August 2026.

The contractor will:

1. Engage residents

a. Design and implement an engagement plan centered on MDHA residents, MWCHC patients, and other North Nashville neighbors most affected by food access barriers.

b. Coordinate with groups such as MDHA resident associations and MWCHC patient councils, among others

2. Design and lead community research

a. Choose and implement appropriate methods (e.g., listening sessions, focus groups, short surveys, one‑on‑one conversations).

b. Lead all logistics and data collection, including facilitation and basic survey administration.

3. Explore priority food access models with residents

Use accessible materials to discuss features from four priority models identified by the project team, each selected for a variety of reasons related to ownership models, wraparound services, and nutrition education:

a. Jesse Hill Market (Atlanta, GA) – health-system–anchored market at Grady Health, with a food pharmacy for patients with chronic conditions, public café (Good Measure Meals), teaching kitchen, and SNAP/WIC connection; integrates prescriptions, healthy prepared meals, and cooking classes in a hospital-based “food as medicine” model. This model was selected by the project team because of its qualities of a community hub beyond food and its deep healthcare connection.

b. Detroit People’s Food Co-op / The Detroit Food Commons (Detroit, MI) – community-owned co-op grocery located in a long-disinvested neighborhood, designed as part of a broader Black-led food sovereignty effort with community space, local vendor focus, and an emphasis on economic democracy. This model was selected by the project team because it is community-owned and has a workforce development component.

c. The Works – Food Programs (Memphis, TN) – multi-program food and community initiative (from The Works CDC) that combines food access, community space, and workforce/entrepreneurial supports in a neighborhood-based setting. This model was selected by the project team because of its wraparound services and teaching kitchen.

d. Grocery on Broad (Hartford, CT) – neighborhood grocery developed as part of a community redevelopment effort, offering fresh food access, local products, and a welcoming, community-centered store environment. This model was selected by the project team because of workforce development and food as medicine model.

4. Analyze and synthesize findings

a. Organize and analyze qualitative and basic quantitative data to identify clear resident priorities and concerns.

b. Coordinate as needed with academic partners (e.g., Meharry, Belmont), while serving as lead on synthesis and interpretation.

5. Produce final report and presentation

a. Prepare a written report that:

i. Describes engagement and who was reached.

ii. Summarizes resident priorities for a community grocer.

iii. Provides specific recommendations for ANCHOR’s community grocer concept (preferred model and core features).

b. Present key findings and recommendations to NashvilleHealth, the Heart of Nashville collaborative, and resident partners.

Qualifications

Examples of what we are looking for:

• Deep, demonstrated ties to North Nashville.
• Strong experience in community engagement (designing and leading listening sessions, focus groups, etc.).
• Track record of centering resident voice and leadership in decision-making, especially in communities experiencing food and health inequities.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to independently design, implement, analyze, and clearly report on a community engagement process.
• Demonstrated experience in fields such as social work, public health, community organizing, community advocacy, neighborhood engagement, sociology, or related field.

5. Reporting, Timeframe, and Compensation

• Type: Independent contractor/consultant.
• Reports to: Heart of Nashville leadership team via NashvilleHealth
• Timeframe: ~10–20 hours/week, starting early Summer 2026 with a target completion of end of August 2026.
• Compensation: Negotiated based on experience and proposed hours. Include hourly rate and estimated total budget. Reasonable engagement-related expenses (e.g., resident stipends, food, materials) to be covered with prior approval.

Standard contracting terms will apply, including basic consultant agreement, tax and invoicing requirements, nondiscrimination, and ethical engagement expectations.

6. Proposal Instructions

Please submit the following as a single PDF:

1. Please answer the following questions in your proposal:

a. What is your experience with or connection to North Nashville?

b. What relevant community organizing/community research experience do you have?

c. What is your approach to centering resident voice?

d. How will you engage residents and collect input?

e. How will you introduce and use the four priority food access models in your engagements?

f. How have you been innovative and creative in the past?

g. Please provide an example of a time you demonstrated multi-ethnic cultural competency.

h. Please provide a sample timeline and work plan.

2. Resume/CV and references

a. Resume/CV.

b. 2–3 brief examples of similar work.

c. 2 references.

3. Budget

a. Proposed hourly rate, estimated hours per week, and total estimated cost for the project period.

Submission

• Email: slonn-maher@nashvillehealth.org
• Subject: “ANCHOR Community Engagement Lead – Proposal”
• Deadline: May 26^th, 2026

Disclaimers

NashvilleHealth encourages participation from diverse applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

The contractor must maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and comply with all applicable data privacy and security agreements.

Information provided by NashvilleHealth in connection with this RFP shall be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of preparing a response, unless otherwise authorized in writing.

NashvilleHealth reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities or irregularities, request clarification, negotiate with one or more respondents, modify or cancel this RFP, and award a contract in whole or in part if deemed in the best interest of the organization and project.

The selected contractor will be required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and grant or funding requirements.

The selected vendor will perform services as an independent contractor and not as an employee of NashvilleHealth.

Respondents may not use NashvilleHealth’s name, logo, or project information in marketing, publicity, or announcements without prior written approval.

Respondents must identify any proposed subcontractors and describe their roles. The selected contractor remains responsible for the performance of all subcontractors.