Release Date: August 29, 2025

Proposal Due Date: November 7, 2025

Introduction and Background

The Healing Racism Institute (HRI) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a qualified organization or coalition of organizations to assume ownership, adaptation, and continued delivery of HRI’s core programming and mission. Founded in 2012 and inspired by a visit to the Grand Rapids Institute for Healing Racism, HRI has worked for over a decade to build racism-free communities, organizations, and institutions through transformative learning and dialogue. HRI became a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021, offering its signature two-day “Healing Racism” seminars to thousands of Western Massachusetts community members—CEOs, volunteers, police officers, formerly incarcerated individuals, teachers, pastors, and many others. Participants also have come from Fortune 100 companies, grassroots nonprofits, municipalities, and small businesses. These individuals have sat together for hard, honest conversations about race and racism and left with a deeper understanding of one another and a stronger commitment to equity.

Like many organizations solely focused on anti-racism work, HRI has faced challenges in today’s nonprofit landscape. Funding streams have narrowed, and demand has shifted, even though the need for this work has never been greater. The Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that HRI’s mission continues. We recognize that the work of healing racism must endure, even if the structure of our organization evolves.

Purpose of the RFP

Over the past several months, HRI has engaged in meaningful community conversations to gather input and ensure that the voices of those served help shape next steps. HRI is seeking organizational partners by transferring stewardship of its programs to ensure the mission is carried forward with strength and sustainability. The purpose of this RFP is to invite proposals from mission‑aligned organizations with the capacity, experience, and vision to:

• Sustain and expand HRI’s anti-racism programming
• Integrate, adapt, or evolve the signature two-day “Healing Racism” seminar model
• Address both interpersonal and systemic racism
• Center the voices and experiences of Black and Brown communities
• Foster long-term community engagement and accountability

The ideal partner will absorb HRI’s programming, intellectual assets, and relationships, and take responsibility for leading the next chapter of this work in close collaboration with existing community stakeholders.

History and Context

Origins and Founding

HRI was born from a 2011 leadership exchange in Grand Rapids, MI, and formally launched in 2012. Founding partners included Baystate Health, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, and Holyoke Community College, among others. In 2021, HRI became an independent nonprofit organization.

Mission

The mission of the Healing Racism Institute (HRI) is to build racism-free communities, organizations and institutions. HRI is guided by a diverse group of individuals who believe that facilitating a sustained process of understanding the root causes and impact of racism can serve as a catalyst to overcome the historic and ongoing impact of racism on our society.

Signature Program

• Two-day in-person “Healing Racism” seminars
• Target audience: general public, institutions, nonprofit and corporate sectors
• Focus on personal transformation and interpersonal racism

Recent Challenges

• Model primarily focused on individual-level understanding, lacking structured “next steps”
• Insufficient engagement with structural/systemic racism
• Financial sustainability challenges with declining grant and program revenue
  

Scope of Work

We seek a partner to carry forward and improve upon HRI’s legacy. This may include:

• Program Continuity & Innovation
• Adapt the two-day Healing Racism seminar model
• Develop a more layered, systemic approach to anti-racism education
• Offer follow-up engagements, action planning, and accountability frameworks
• Expand to include trauma-informed support for people most impacted by racism
  
  
• Community Engagement
• Maintain and deepen relationships with community partners
• Ensure accessibility and inclusion in programming
  
  
• Operational Sustainability
• Build a financially viable model, including grant funding, earned income, and donor support
• Align anti-racism efforts with broader organizational goals if integrated into an existing nonprofit
  
  
• Equity Leadership
• Ensure Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are in leadership roles and meaningfully shaping the work

Assets and Support Offered

The selected partner will receive access to:

• $75,000 in starting capital to carry out the mission
• Program curricula and facilitation guides
• Historical documents and data
• Contact lists and past participant information (subject to privacy compliance)
• HRI branding and digital assets
• Strategic handoff support from HRI leadership and board

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) due by September 19, 2025.

Organizations must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored entity
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to racial equity and anti-racism
• Have experience in community engagement, facilitation, or racial justice programming
• Show organizational capacity to integrate or expand anti-racism initiatives
• Exhibit financial and administrative infrastructure to support the work

Proposal Requirements

Please submit a proposal that includes:

• Cover Letter
• Brief statement of interest
• Summary of qualifications and alignment with the mission
  
  
• Organizational Overview
• Mission and history
• Programs and services
• Key leadership and staff
  
  
• Vision for the Work
• How your organization would carry forward, evolve, and scale the programming
• How you would integrate systemic and interpersonal approaches to racism
• Plans for inclusivity and centering people most impacted by racism
  
  
• Implementation Plan
• Timeline for onboarding and program continuation
• Staffing and leadership plan
• Strategy for sustainability and funding
  
  
• Budget Summary
• High-level proposed budget for first year of programming
• Existing resources and funding you plan to leverage
  
  
• References
• Three professional references familiar with your racial justice work

Selection Criteria

After discussions with the community and an evaluation conducted by an independent consultant, our suspicions have been confirmed: there is a critical need for this work in the community. However, we recognize that we are not currently equipped to implement the long-range plans that have been recommended. As a result, we must begin a transition process and identify the most effective way to continue this important work through a partnering entity.

This transition must be handled with great care. HRI will engage in a thoughtful and collaborative process with the selected organization. We view ourselves as active participants in both the transition and the long-term success of the program. Our commitment remains to ensure that the work continues in the best way possible.

To that end, as part of our decision-making process, we will be meeting with interested organizations to ensure that the outcome and resulting partnership align with our shared goal: building an anti-racism society and effectively serving the needs of the community.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

• Alignment with HRI’s mission and values
• Experience delivering racial equity programming
• Organizational capacity and sustainability plan
• Innovation and depth of proposed model
• Community and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Inclusivity and trauma-informed practices

Timeline

• August 29, 2025 RFP Released
• September 8, 2025 (12:00-1:00pm) Optional Info Session/Q&A

• September 19, 2025 LOI Due
• October 17, 2025 Proposal Submission Deadline
• October 23, 2025 *Finalist Notified
• October 27, 2025 Interviews Conducted
• November 7, 2025 Partner Selected & Announced
• Late 2025 (Exact dates to be determined and shared on HRI website.) Transition Planning Begins

Submission Instructions

Submit your full proposal as a single PDF to: Modesto Montero

Email: monteromodesto@gmail.com

Subject Line: RFP Submission – HRI Program Transition

Deadline: October 17, 2025

Late submissions will not be considered.

For questions about this RFP or to schedule an informational meeting, please contact:

Name: Modesto Montero

Email: monteromodesto@gmail.com

Phone: 901-628-9784

Final Note

We recognize this is an important moment—not just for HRI, but for the broader community’s work toward racial justice. We are deeply grateful to all organizations and individuals who are part of this movement. It is our hope that this transition will strengthen and expand the impact of healing racism work in Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)