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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Temporary Policy Support Consultant

Honesty for Ohio Education

Proposals due Friday, July 24, 2026

About Honesty for Ohio Education

Honesty for Ohio Education is a statewide, nonpartisan coalition advocating for honest, equitable, and fully resourced public education in Ohio. Our organization brings together a coalition of educators, parents, students, faith leaders, and community organizations to protect honest education, defend the rights and dignity of all students, and strengthen public schools across the state. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by our 501(c)(3) entity, which conducts education, research, and limited lobbying activities consistent with federal tax law.

Purpose of This RFP

Honesty seeks a temporary Policy Support Consultant to guide our policy and advocacy work leading up to and during one of the most consequential periods of the legislative calendar: Ohio's Lame Duck session. Legislation moves quickly and unpredictably during Lame Duck, and our coalition depends on timely, accurate analysis to mobilize effectively.

The consultant will serve three interconnected roles: (1) real-time legislative monitoring, analysis, and communications support through the end of Lame Duck; (2) mentorship and scaffolded skill transfer to Honesty's policy intern; and (3) a strategic audit of our policy processes to position Honesty for success in 2027, including alignment with our Strong Ohio Schools research launch.

Term of Engagement

The engagement will run from mid-September 2026 through the conclusion of Ohio's Lame Duck session (anticipated late December 2026). Exact start and end dates will be finalized in the consulting agreement. The consultant's availability is expected to flex with the legislative calendar, with the heaviest demands anticipated from mid-November through the end of session.

Scope of Work

A. Legislative Monitoring & Analysis

• Track education-specific legislation in real time throughout Lame Duck, including amendments, substitute bills, and last-minute maneuvers.

• Quickly analyze and interpret education-specific legislation, identifying implications for public education, students, and educators.

• Identify and prioritize the policies most important to Honesty's coalition, advising staff on where to focus attention and action.

• Leverage relationships in the Statehouse and with lobbyist and legal networks to surface early intelligence on bill movement and key players' positions.

B. Communications & Coalition Support

• Draft clear, plain-language content for calls to action and Honesty's policy newsletter.

• Attend Honesty's weekly coalition calls (Wednesdays, 9:00 AM) to report on legislative developments.

• Attend Honesty's monthly educator legislative calls (second Thursday of each month, 4:00 PM) to report and answer questions.

• Support the production of Honesty's short Lame Duck podcast episodes (e.g., framing key developments, appearing as a featured voice, and/or reviewing scripts for accuracy).

C. Intern Mentorship & Scaffolded Transition

Honesty will host a policy intern from September 1 through December 31, 2026. The consultant will serve as a mentor and connector for the intern, with an explicit goal: by December, the intern should be equipped to take on greater leadership across the responsibilities listed above. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Provide ongoing mentorship, coaching, and feedback to the intern throughout the engagement.

• Hand over tasks in a deliberately scaffolded way: modeling first, then co-leading, then supporting the intern in leading so responsibilities transfer progressively over the term.

• Serve as a bridge connecting the intern directly to networks including key legislative players and staff, primarily through virtual meetings.

D. Policy Process Audit & 2027 Readiness

• Audit Honesty's current policy processes and workflows, identifying opportunities for streamlining and improvement.

• Provide written recommendations for how Honesty can focus its policy work in light of the Strong Ohio Schools research launch.

• Deliver a concise roadmap that sets Honesty's policy program up for success in 2027, including recommended priorities, processes, and capacity considerations.

Key Deliverables

• Regular legislative updates and analysis throughout Lame Duck, delivered via coalition and educator calls and written channels.

• Calls-to-action and policy newsletter content, on a cadence agreed upon with Honesty staff.

• Podcast support for Honesty's short Lame Duck episodes.

• An intern transition plan (developed early in the engagement) and a brief end-of-term summary of the intern's progress and readiness.

• A written policy process audit with streamlining recommendations.

• A 2027 readiness roadmap aligned with the Strong Ohio Schools research launch.

Required Qualifications

The ideal consultant will demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of the Ohio Statehouse, the legislative process, and how Lame Duck sessions operate, including the pace, procedural tactics, and pressure points unique to end-of-session lawmaking.

• Deep familiarity with education policy in Ohio and the key players in the General Assembly, legislative leadership, and relevant committees.

• Strong existing relationships in the Statehouse and with lobbyists and legal networks.

• Deep knowledge of Honesty for Ohio Education, including our mission, coalition, and body of work. Strong preference will be given to respondents who have engaged with Honesty's work and attended our coalition calls.

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly analyze and interpret legislation and translate it into plain language for advocates and the public.

• Experience in advocacy, coalition work, or government relations, preferably in education or a related field.

• Experience mentoring, supervising, or developing early-career professionals, with a genuine interest in growing new talent.

• Strong writing skills suited to advocacy communications (calls to action, newsletters, talking points).

• Availability during the stated term, including the recurring meeting commitments listed in the Scope of Work, and the flexibility to respond quickly during fast-moving Lame Duck weeks.

Compensation & Compliance

Honesty anticipates a total contract budget of $25,000, inclusive of all fees and expenses. Respondents may propose a flat monthly retainer, an hourly rate with an estimated monthly cap, or an alternative fee structure with justification.

Because this engagement is contracted through Honesty's 501(c)(3) entity, the consultant will be expected to track and report any time spent on direct or grassroots lobbying activity so that Honesty can maintain accurate records consistent with federal tax law. The consultant will serve as an independent contractor, not an employee.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should be sent as a .pdf to info@honestyforohioeducation.org by Friday, July 24, 2026. Late proposals will not be considered. They should be no more than 3 pages and include:

• A brief statement of interest and summary of relevant experience, including specific familiarity with Ohio education policy and Lame Duck sessions.

• A description of the respondent's familiarity with Honesty for Ohio Education and our coalition, including any prior engagement with our work (e.g., coalition calls, events, or campaigns).

• A description of the respondent's Statehouse, lobbyist, and legal network relationships (specific names not required; depth and relevance of networks should be clear).

• The respondent's approach to the scope of work, including how they would structure the intern mentorship and scaffolded handoff.

• Proposed fee structure and total cost.

• Honesty for Ohio Education is committed to equity and encourages proposals from consultants of all backgrounds, including those from communities historically underrepresented in policy and advocacy work.