Request for Proposal (RFP)
Strategic Planning Partner for the National Medical Association
(2030 Strategic Plan)
Issued by
National Medical Association (NMA)
RFP Release Date: November 25, 2025
Proposal Due Date: December 15, 2025
Anticipated Project Start: January 1, 2026
Project Completion Date: June 1, 2026
Organizational Overview
Founded in 1895, the National Medical Association (NMA) is the oldest and largest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients. As a 501(c)(3) professional society, the NMA serves more than 50,000 African American physicians, medical students, and other health professionals, and remains a leading voice in advancing health equity.
The mission of the NMA is to advance the art and science of medicine for people of African descent through education, advocacy, and health policy to promote health and wellness, eliminate health disparities, and sustain physician viability. Since its inception, the legacy of the NMA has been to serve as the conscience of medicine and society. Its vision is to continue that legacy with a focus on improving quality and achieving equity and parity in healthcare.
The NMA works through four core pillars:
- Professional Education & Development
- Scientific Exchange
- Health Policy and Advocacy
- Public Health & Community Impact
The NMA includes more than 115 affiliated societies across the country, supporting both national strategy and local action. This strategic planning effort aims to build on the NMA’s legacy and strengthen its organizational focus, priorities, and impact over the next 3–5 years.
Description
The NMA seeks proposals from qualified consultants or consulting firms to facilitate the development of a comprehensive 3–5 year strategic plan – NMA 2030 Strategic Plan. The organization requires structured guidance to synthesize prior drafts, engage key stakeholders, and produce a strategic planning framework that is actionable, measurable, and aligned with the Association’s mission and future direction. The strategic plan is to look beyond our singular membership/scientific structure.
Description of Services/Scope of Work
The Stakeholder-Driven Strategic Planning Partner shall conduct robust, participatory planning processes, grounded in research and inclusive engagement across internal teams, community stakeholders, and external partners.
The selected partner will:
- Existing Materials Review
- Complete Best Practices/Landscape Review for Similar Organizations
- Analyze the opportunity for fully improved governance structure
- Engage Leadership & Stakeholders
- Deliver a Strategic Planning Framework
- Draft Strategic Plan for Organizational Review
- Guide Refinement & Alignment with Organizational Feedback
- Support Final Recommendation & Presentation
Deliverables/Estimated Duration of Requirement
| Deliverables | Percentage of contract’s value | Deadline |
| I. Situational Analysis and Work Plan Accepted. | 15% | 1 month after contract signing date |
| II. Complete Best Practices/Landscape Review for Similar Organizations. Analyze the opportunity for a fully improved governance structure. Engage Leadership & Stakeholders | 25% | 2 months after submission of deliverable I |
| III. Deliver Strategic Planning Framework. Draft Strategic Plan for Organizational Review | 35% | 1 month after submission of deliverable II |
| IV. Guide Refinement & Alignment with Organizational Feedback. Support Final Recommendation & Presentation | 25% | 1 month after submission of Deliverable III |
Qualifications
- In-House Research & Insights Capacity
- Preference for firms that maintain their own tools and teams to gather, analyze, and synthesize stakeholder sentiment and cultural signals to inform the planning process, rather than outsourcing discovery work.
- National Network & Grassroots Access
- Ideal partner will bring established relationships with trusted community organizations, healthcare organizations, civic leaders, and cultural connectors across the country to ensure the strategic plan reflects local realities and national potential.
- Cross-Sector Strategy Experience
- Experience developing strategic plans that align the priorities of philanthropy, healthcare, corporations, government agencies, political action committees, public/private foundations, and community groups, particularly in issue areas requiring cultural competence, healthcare, and public trust.
- Equity-Centered Frameworks
- Strategic planning methodology should center on racial and economic equity throughout the process, from landscape analysis to goal setting to final recommendations.
- Track Record of Long-Term Strategy Impact
- Firms should demonstrate previous success in helping mission-driven organizations develop strategic plans that led to measurable growth, influence, or community impact.
- Communications-Ready Plan Development
- The plan should be clearly structured, aligned with organizational voice, and accessible to internal and external audiences, providing a solid foundation for implementation
Proposal Requirements (10-page limit)
- Cover Letter
- Approach and Methodology
- Work Plan and Timeline (Gantt Chart)
- Qualifications Narrative
- Relevant Experience and References
- Detailed Budget and Fee Structure
Submission Instructions
Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:
Martin Hamlette JD MHA – Executive Director
National Medical Association
Email: hamlette@nmanet.org
Subject Line: RFP Submission – Strategic Planning Partner (NMA 2030 Strategic Plan)
Contact for Questions
Martin Hamlette JD MHA – Executive Director
National Medical Association
Email: hamlette@nmanet.org
