Overview
Forward Cities, a national nonprofit committed to inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship, seeks a strategic consulting partner to co-design and implement a set of field-informed solutions that advance Durham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
E3 Durham (E3D) is a place-based, inclusive entrepreneurs initiative supported by Durham County’s ARPA funding. It aims to strengthen Durham’s entrepreneurial landscape by aligning local resources and increasing access to entrepreneurial pathways. E3 Durham combines hands-on business navigation services, cohort-based training, and an innovative "learn-to-earn" incentive model that helps entrepreneurs access subsidized business services. Aligned with direct services to entrepreneurs, the E3 Alliance—a dynamic advisory council of local entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) and community partners—serves as a collaborative engine for aligned priorities and action.
To inform the Alliance strategy, E3 Durham conducted a rigorous 360-degree assessment of Durham’s small business ecosystem, engaging over 200 entrepreneurs, 40 ESOs, and a wide range of funders, policymakers, and economic development leaders. This process surfaced key strengths and gaps, which were prioritized by the Alliance. Building on these findings, Forward Cities and the E3 Alliance have crafted a bold strategic plan to address these gaps head-on. A central priority of program leaders is to develop and implement specific projects to address these gaps at the entrepreneur, support provider and ecosystem levels.
To help implement these programs, Forward Cities now seeks a qualified professional or entity to manage and advance four priority projects that respond directly to ecosystem needs - with inputs from the Forward Cities team and E3 Alliance project champions. This contract offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most comprehensive and community-informed local ecosystem development efforts in the country.
Scope of Work
The contractor will serve in a coordinating and implementation-focused role for the following projects. Responsibilities include timeline management, meeting facilitation, task tracking, vendor or partner coordination (when relevant), communication with Forward Cities staff, and light documentation/reporting. Content and technical inputs will be provided by Forward Cities and/or E3 Alliance members, with the project manager ensuring efficient and timely execution.
1. Monthly Entrepreneur Pitch Events (Jul – Dec 2025)
Coordinate monthly entrepreneurial gatherings, in partnership with an Alliance organization. Responsibilities include venue and speaker scheduling, participant communication, and event day logistics.
2. Digital Resource Directory Integration (Jul – Dec 2025)
Support the development and upload of curated Durham County resources to a statewide digital platform, including:
- Durham County Entrepreneur Resource List
- Capital Access Guide
- Creative Economy Guide
Project management includes stakeholder engagement, content formatting and quality control, and platform coordination.
3. Capital Access Tool Launch & Convening (Jul – Nov 2025)
Manage logistics and implementation of:
- Public launch of an existing downloadable capital readiness tool
- Coordination of an evergreen micro-learning video series (in conjunction with media content producer)
- A half-day capital convening event hosted with the E3 Alliance
Duties include communication with vendors and capital partners, event setup, and materials coordination.
4. AI Education Initiative (Jul – Dec 2025)
Project manage the development and launch of a modular, co-facilitated workshop series focused on practical AI applications for entrepreneurs. Responsibilities include:
- Scheduling trainings for ESO facilitators
- Tracking pilot sessions
- Supporting distribution of facilitation guides and materials
Contract Term: July 7, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Deliverables
- Fully executed implementation calendar for all four projects
- Monthly progress summaries for internal Forward Cities use
- Timely coordination of meetings, events, and partner check-ins
- Support in documentation and capturing lessons learned
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
- Proven experience managing community-facing or cross-stakeholder project
- Strong coordination, communication, and facilitation skills
- Familiarity with Durham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Ability to work independently while staying aligned with a larger team
- Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and entrepreneur-led outcomes
Preference will be given to applicants located in Durham County.
Budget
Total contract value: $40,000
Proposal Requirements
Interested respondents should submit a concise statement of qualifications (not to exceed 6 pages) covering the following:
- Cover Letter & Organizational Overview
- Approach to Project Management and Stakeholder Coordination
- Past Experience with Similar Projects
- Project Lead Bio or Resume
- Two Professional References
Submission Instructions
- Deadline: Jun 26, 2025
- Format: PDF, single file
- Submission Method: Email submissions to fhorwitt@forwardcities.org with the Subject: “RFQ Response – Ecosystem Project Management”
Forward Cities provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.