Caring Communities for Mental Health

The Greater Scranton YMCA, in partnership with the Moses Taylor Foundation, has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its Caring Communities for Mental Health initiative. This two-year program is an integral component of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s broader Wellbeing Initiative, focusing on expanding access to free, community-based mental health services. The project is particularly oriented toward reaching underserved and marginalized populations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The initiative is funded by the Moses Taylor Foundation, a private grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing health equity in the region. The purpose of the RFP is to identify a qualified small marketing firm located in Northeastern Pennsylvania that can support the strategic promotion and communication efforts of the Caring Communities for Mental Health program. The selected firm will be awarded a fixed-price contract of $10,000 annually for two years, totaling $20,000. The contract term will run from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2027. The funding is intended solely for the execution of communications and outreach strategies that amplify the visibility, impact, and effectiveness of the program across regional communities. Key responsibilities for the chosen firm include the development of a comprehensive two-year marketing strategy aligned with the goals of the grant. The firm will also be responsible for creating culturally relevant and inclusive branding and messaging, which must reflect the program’s health equity and stigma-reduction objectives. In addition, deliverables include the production of content for both print and digital platforms—such as flyers, brochures, signage, videos, and infographics—designed to support engagement via social media, the YMCA website, and direct community outreach. Further tasks will involve the development of monthly content calendars, guidance on ad campaigns, and support for outreach campaigns in targeted counties, including Lackawanna and its surrounding areas. Collaboration with the Greater Scranton YMCA’s program and marketing staff is mandatory to ensure that all materials comply with YMCA of the USA branding guidelines. Firms will also be required to sign a sublicense agreement to access trademarked YMCA materials. Eligible applicants must be small businesses officially registered and based in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience working with nonprofit, health, or mental health-related campaigns. The submission must include a cover letter summarizing the firm’s services, team bios, and relevant experience; portfolio samples of at least three similar projects; a proposed approach and work plan; a budget and timeline that fits within the $10,000/year framework; and two client references with contact details. All proposals must be submitted in PDF format via email to Meghan Carnevale, the Mission Advancement & Marketing Director of the Greater Scranton YMCA. Submissions must be sent to mcarnevale@gsymca.org with the subject line "Marketing Proposal – Caring Communities Initiative." The final deadline for submission is July 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. No pre-application deadlines or Q&A periods were noted. The RFP does not mention a formal evaluation rubric, but alignment with grant goals, community relevance, and prior experience are expected to be key factors.