1. Summary
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) seeks a full-service creative agency (or individual) with proven success translating complex research concepts into compelling communications products to design a pitch deck for a fundraising campaign. This deck will be the foundation of a year-long effort by leadership to raise several million dollars from key audiences for the organization’s first endowment. The deck must engage, inspire, and deliver.
CEGA is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that leaders can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our academic network includes more than 160 faculty, 65 scholars from low- and middle-income countries, and hundreds of graduate students–from across academic disciplines and across the globe–that produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty.
The selected agency will receive a text-oriented draft deck from CEGA. The contractor will design a powerful and unique deck targeted to key audiences identified by the client. The project may also involve input on the narrative structure and text placement. Inclusive of visual assets designed specifically for this project, the final deck should align with CEGA’s brand guidelines and present a compelling argument for making a financial contribution to CEGA’s endowment.
2. Deliverables
- 1 Powerpoint slide deck, 16:9 ratio, with all visual elements at full high definition quality, that aligns with CEGA’s brand guidelines across text, color palette, voice, and image choice
- CEGA will retain the right to alter the final deck to meet its specific needs
- All photos used in the deck will be appropriately credited, licensed for editorial use
- The deck and accompanying image and design files will be uploaded to a Google Drive folder selected by the client
3. Project background
Every year, governments, NGOs, and philanthropists around the world invest billions of dollars in interventions and programs designed to reduce poverty. Good intentions aside, how do they know if their investments are working?
While private companies regularly invest 10 to 15 percent of their revenue in research and development, social sector actors spend far less to rigorously test their policies and programs. This leaves policymakers to make highly consequential decisions without rigorous evidence about what worked—or didn’t work—in the past and what is most likely to drive intended outcomes in the future.
CEGA was established to generate more empirical research about the impacts of economic and social development programs, and to make sure those insights inform policymaker decisions. Central to CEGA’s approach is bringing ideas and techniques from a diverse set of academic disciplines—economics, psychology, computer science, engineering and more—and including more people with first-hand experience with the problems and solutions our work addresses.
- Working equitably with scholars and partners primarily in low- and middle-income countries, we:
- Identify where rigorous research about social and economic development programs are needed;
- Invest in new tools, techniques, and teams of researchers;
- Elevate low- and middle-income country scholars, women, and other underrepresented groups across our work;
- Promote meaningful collaboration between researchers and policymakers;
- Build scholars’ skills and capabilities to produce policy-relevant evidence and communications; and
- Share research and insights with key decision-makers and the public.
In 2023, CEGA will leverage commitments from several major donors to seed an endowment and initiate an ambitious campaign to fully fund it. A successful campaign will propel CEGA’s operational capacity and position the organization for significant growth in 2024 and beyond. This deck will directly enable CEGA’s communications and fundraising efforts in support of the campaign.
4. Duration and timeline of engagement
The current proposed schedule for this project is as follows.
- March 1: RFP released
- March 21: Agencies submit final responses to brief
- March 28: Contract awarded and Terms of Reference signed
- March 31: First draft due April 7: First round of edits provided by client April 14: Second draft due
- April 21: Second round of edits provided by client
- April 28: Completed deck delivered to client
Project manager: Matthew Kertman, Director of Strategic Communications
Project supervisor: Lauren Friedman Russell, Director of Operations
5. Copyright and credits
CEGA will retain the rights, including copyright, to all creative products developed as part of this project, including designed visual assets, images, and more.
6. Payment
50% of the total payment will be made once a contract is signed, the other 50% will be payable upon completion of the assignment.
7. How to submit a proposal
Complete proposals submitted to CEGA should include the following:
- Executive Summary: Provide an overview of the proposed services, your organization, and its ability to provide the services proposed. Include a CV if an individual designer.
- Portfolio: Samples of relevant projects you have previously worked on.
- References: Provide a minimum of two (2) references, including the contact name, title, and email address.
- Cost Summary: A detailed cost estimate for your services.
Please email the proposal as a single packaged file to kertman@berkeley.edu no later than March 21, 2023.
8. Evaluation and selection process
All applications will be evaluated and rated based on applicant’s demonstrated capability and experience in providing professional creative design services to an organization, preferably for global development research organizations. Applicant’s qualifications will be evaluated and graded by CEGA staff and leadership.
9. Questions concerning proposal requirements
All questions regarding this RFP should be addressed to: Matthew Kertman, Director of Strategic Communications (kertman@berkeley.edu). Questions must be submitted at least three (3) business days prior to the RFP submission deadline.
10. Useful links and resources
CEGA brand resources: Brand guidelines, 2023 Annual Report (forthcoming), organizational 2-pager
