Lead Entity for Community-Based Nonprofit Capacity-Building Initiative

The County of Sacramento is seeking a Lead Entity to implement a comprehensive Community-Based Nonprofit Capacity-Building Initiative through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The primary objective is to strengthen the internal infrastructure and service delivery capabilities of medium-sized community-based nonprofits over a 24-month program period. Qualified organizations will be responsible for establishing program infrastructure, recruiting nonprofits across two cohorts, providing technical assistance, and tracking organizational growth and impact. Key evaluation criteria include demonstrated capacity-building experience, with specific requirements of 7-10 years of regional capacity-building expertise, 10 years of fundraising leadership, and multi-million-dollar grantmaking experience. The solicitation was released on September 25, 2025, with a deadline for questions on October 3, 2025, and final responses due on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to serve as a neutral convener across sectors and have a proven track record of working with Sacramento County nonprofits. The County will evaluate submissions using a 100-point scoring system, with a minimum threshold of 70 points for consideration.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though the comprehensive requirements suggest a preference for experienced, well-established nonprofit support organizations. The County reserves the right to award zero to multiple contracts based on available funding and programmatic needs. The contract will provide approximately $1.8 million to the Lead Entity, with no more than 10% allocated to administrative and overhead costs. While specific incumbent vendors are not mentioned, the initiative appears to be a new program aimed at addressing capacity gaps in the local nonprofit ecosystem. The professional services agreement template indicates standard provisions for compensation, including monthly invoicing and payment within 30 days of invoice receipt. Successful applicants will need to comply with various legal and regulatory requirements, including anti-discrimination statutes and economic sanctions provisions. The County's approach emphasizes flexibility in contract award and a strategic focus on strengthening nonprofit infrastructure in under-resourced communities.