RFP | E3 Durham Storytelling Marketing

Project Summary

The E3 Durham program is a place-based 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 Durham 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.

Overview

Forward Cities, a national nonprofit committed to economic growth through entrepreneurship, seeks to enter a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with one or more suitable contractors to manage the storytelling and documentation for the E3 Durham work. The primary area of responsibility is creating and managing E3 Durham’s storytelling content surrounding the efforts of the Durham E3 Alliance partner organizations.

The selected contractor will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Senior Director of Programs and Operations on the following services:

Event photography and videography:  The contractor will capture and document the essence and energy of engagements through photographs and videos, produce narratives that effectively tell the story of each engagement, and ensure high-quality footage and images that effectively document the engagements. 

Promotional and storytelling videography: The contractor will capture high-quality footage to create promotional and narrative videos for the Durham E3 Alliance organizations and their projects, effectively highlighting the partnership with E3 Durham and documenting the collaborative efforts.

Scope of Work 

Durham E3 Alliance:

• Capture video and photography content at quarterly E3 Alliance convenings - capturing representative photos, as well as interviews with Forward Cities staff, E3 Alliance representatives, and Project Leads to capture high-quality footage that effectively documents the collaborative efforts;
• Capture video and photography content at E3 Alliance project events to capture high-quality footage that effectively documents the projects;
• Implement the provided guidelines for the video length, background, and format, ensuring adherence to established brand identity and standards set forth by the Forward Cities team;
• Create engaging 60 - 90 second promotional videos for the E3 Alliance, spotlighting the partnership between each organization and Forward Cities’ E3 Durham program;
• Create one 5 - 7 minute narrative video discussing an overview of each project and the cumulative work of the E3 Alliance over the past 2 years, plus an additional four 2 - 3 minute videos going in-depth on high-impact projects;
• Catalog photo and video content generated or captured in the Digital Asset Management system;
• Manage creative production of assets from the initial concept to finished product and execution in alignment with deliverables and engagement milestones

Contract Term: October 13, 2025 - March 31, 2026

Budget

Total contract value: $13,500, inclusive of all services, equipment, software, and subcontractors. Digital Asset Management system access will be provided by Forward Cities.

Proposal & Submission Details

Technical Requirements & Experience

• Portfolio of Work: Submit 5-10 examples of similar event photography/videography, and promotional videos for nonprofit or entrepreneurship-focused organizations
• Video Production Samples: Provide links to 2-3 narrative videos (2-7 minutes) and 2-3 promotional videos (60-90 seconds) demonstrating storytelling capabilities
• Technical Capabilities: List equipment, software, and platforms used for video production, photo editing, and social media management

Qualifications

• Relevant Experience: Minimum 3 years experience generating creative content for organizations with similar missions; experience with entrepreneurship or economic development programs preferred
• References: Provide 3 professional references from recent clients, including contact information
• Availability: Confirm ability to attend quarterly Alliance convenings in Durham, NC

Project Understanding & Approach

• Project Comprehension: Demonstrate understanding of E3 Durham's mission, target audience, and the dual focus on program participants and Alliance partners
• Creative Strategy: Outline approach to storytelling that highlights entrepreneurship, and community collaboration
• Event Coverage Plan: Describe approach to photographing and filming events

Budget

• Itemized Costs: Provide itemized cost breakdown for quarterly convenings coverage, project event documentation, and video production (promotional and narrative videos) within the $13,500 total contract value

Submission Format

• Page Limit: Maximum 5 pages (excluding portfolio samples and references)
• File Format: Submit as single PDF with clearly labeled sections
• File Naming: [Company Name]_E3Durham_Proposal_2025.pdf
• Submission Method: Submit your proposal using this form.
• Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Inquiries

For any questions not covered here, please email Magalie Yacinthe at myacinthe@forwardcities.org with the Subject: “RFP - E3 Durham Marketing.”