Seeking Policy Consultant to support Provincial NFP Organization’s Transition to Federal Incorporation
The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) is seeking a qualified Policy and Governance Consultant to assist in the development of intra-organization policies and support transition from provincial to federal incorporation.
CASSA’s goals are to diversify funding streams, build unrestricted funds, and stabilize long-term funding from government and non-government granting bodies to achieve financial sustainability for the organization.
SECTION 1: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to contract a Consultant who will:
1. Work with the Executive Director and CASSA Board of Directors to conduct an analysis of our current governance structure, bylaws and operations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
2. Provide guidance on the requirements for federal incorporation, including necessary documentation, filings and necessary bylaw changes.
3. Advise on any legal, financial, or operational considerations specific to the transition to federal status specifically in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.
4. Conduct assessment of organizational structure options including: dependent chapter (centralized governance) model vs Independent chapter model and analyze legal, financial and operational risks associated with each model
5. Develop tailored fundraising policies that align with our mission, values, and strategic objectives. These include policies on Gift acceptance, Issuance of tax receipts, Fundraising priorities, Investment of donor funds, Fund management, Fundraising authority, Reporting, and Data collection management.
6. Deliver training sessions to staff and the Board to ensure smooth transition and build internal capacity in fundraising policy implementation and enforcement.
SECTION 2: ABOUT CASSA
Mission
CASSA’s mission is to facilitate the economic, social, political, and cultural empowerment of South Asians by serving as a resource for information, research, mobilization, coordination and leadership on social justice issues affecting our communities. CASSA’s mission is to create social change by building alliances and working collaboratively with those who share a vision of empowering all communities to participate in defining Canada’s future.
Vision
Overall, we envision and strive for a Canada free of all forms of discrimination in which all communities are free from marginalization and are fully empowered to participate in defining Canada’s political, economic, social, and cultural future. We foster growth, learning and social accountability through internal work with South Asian community members and external accountability practices with social institutions and government organizations.
Values
The following values serve as guidelines for our conduct as we implement our mission and work towards our vision:
● Social Justice: We are committed to working within a social justice framework which promotes equity and empowerment for marginalized peoples and communities
● Anti–oppression, anti-racism, anti-homophobia: We strive to incorporate anti-oppressive, anti-racist and anti-homophobic principles and practices in our work
● Responsiveness: We strive to work through a variety of consultative and participatory structures and practices to ensure that our work is grounded in the realities and priorities of our communities.
● Diversity: We recognize and respect the diversity among and within South Asian communities and within Canadian society.
● Collaboration and solidarity: We are committed to building alliances to work collectively towards common aims.
● Accountability: We are committed to maintaining effective governance, measurement, and reporting practices.
SECTION 3: PROPOSAL SCOPE
Please address the following in your proposal:
Background
● A cover letter including the name of the proposing organization (if you are part of one), the name of the individual assigned to the project, and all relevant contact information including email address, current city, and phone number.
● Services you have previously provided relative to the development of policies in relation to non-profits, governance, or related areas.
● Experience with similar projects (national vs. regional or local, type of organization, size of community, etc.).
Administration and Organization
● A brief description of your approach to supporting organizations through transitions to federal incorporation, including any tools, methodologies, or best practices you utilize.
● What distinguishes your processes and approach from those of others?
Section4: ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS
Please provide a client portfolio, including a list of clients served within the past five years.
Please provide us with three client references we can contact including name, title, organization, and telephone number.
Optional: Applicants are asked to submit a sample policy or written governance piece relevant to fundraising. Documents may be anonymized or adapted to protect client confidentiality.
SECTION 5: CONSULTANT SELECTION
Proposals will be evaluated by CASSA’s Fundraising Committee and its Board of Directors.
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Overall match between the RFP requirements and proposal: Understanding of scope, objectives, and completeness of response.
- Qualifications and previous work as a consultant.
- Demonstrated ability of the consultant to draft clear and comprehensive fundraising policies to ensure CRA and legal compliance.
SECTION 6: SCHEDULE FOR SELECTION
CASSA is considering the following timeline for engaging a policy consultant:
January 23, 2026: Proposals due.
January 26-29, 2026: Finalist interviews with CASSA.
January 30, 2026: Candidate notified of decision by telephone.
February 2, 2026: Policy consultant begins work with CASSA.
The Board may or may not choose to conduct an additional telephone or an online interview with one or more finalists. Upon selection of a policy consultant, CASSA will enter contract negotiations. The anticipated start date of the consultant’s work is February 2, 2026.
SECTION 6: QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Skills and Education
i. Bachelor’s degree or diploma preferably in a discipline that serves the work of policy writing, non-profit law or nonprofit management. ii. Preference will be given to those with three to five years of experience in policy writing in the nonprofit sector.
iii. Knowledge of principles and leading practices in fundraising and philanthropy.
iv. Understanding of provincial and federal legislation and governance practices including bylaw development, regulations, and compliance requirements.
v. Experience working with nonprofit boards and committees. vi. Superior verbal and written communication skills
vii. Excellent time management skills with ability to juggle deadlines and self-manage
SECTION 7: SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Questions: Any questions or requests for further information must be submitted in writing to HR, via hr@cassa.ca, no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2026.
Submission Deadline: Proposals must be sent to Ridah Asghar, Director of Development, via email (Ridah@cassa.ca ) no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 23, 2026. Please use .docx, .xlsx or .pdf file types.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: CASSA is committed to the principles of employment equity. We actively seek submissions from Indigenous Peoples and members of equity-deserving groups with demonstrated skills and knowledge to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in a non-profit organization. As an organization that is committed to anti-discrimination and anti-oppression, our work is strengthened by the input of people who have faced systemic barriers and who carry the knowledge of lived experience.
