Achieva Resource and Achieva Support, two affiliates of Achieva, are requesting proposals from qualified strategic planning consultants to conduct an input process and needs assessment to inform strategic priorities as Achieva positions itself for the future.
About the Achieva Family of Organizations
The Achieva Family of Organizations (Achieva) is comprised of six 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations that advocate with, empower, and support people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives. Collectively, these organizations manage an annual budget of $50 million. A summary of each organization is as follows:
- Achieva is the parent company that provides executive management and oversight to all affiliates.
- Achieva Resource provides administrative support to the Achieva Family of Organizations and comprises Achieva’s finance, facilities, human resources, information technology, and advancement departments.
- Achieva Support provides direct support services to children and adults with disabilities. Departments include Employment Supports, Community Supported Living, Home & Community Supports, Compliance Management, Representative Payee, and Early Intervention Services.
- The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh provides advocacy and family support services.
- The Arc Erie County provides advocacy and family support services in Erie County (PA). It is an affiliate of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.
- The Family Trust acts as a trustee for beneficiaries with disabilities and provides ancillary assistance to other trustees and family members.
Achieva Strategic Plan: History and Current Status
In 2019, Achieva completed a comprehensive strategic planning process informed by the experiences and perspectives of many individuals and partners, including people we serve, families, caregivers, trustees, staff, subcontractors, government agencies, community partners, funders, and donors. That process culminated in the adoption of the following seven strategic priorities that formed the 2020 to 2023
Achieva Strategic Vision Plan.
1. Advancement: Develop and pursue an advancement agenda that enhances Achieva’s financial position, community presence, and leadership.
2. Advocacy: Ensure that advocacy remains a foundational part of the organization, is supported by sustainable funding and staffing, and focuses on individual advocacy and important system advocacy issues.
3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Develop and pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization and in all we do.
4. Impact: Identify, develop, and pursue new and innovative initiatives that expand Achieva’s abilities to fulfill its vision and mission.
5. Person-Centered: Cultivate a culture throughout Achieva that promotes person-centered thinking and planning in how we provide support.
6. Staff: Expand and continue strategies to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality staff.
7. Technology: Leverage technology to enhance all aspects of the organization and services/supports.
In 2023, trustees from across the Achieva Family of Organizations decided that the mission, vision, and strategic priorities remained relevant, and, in lieu of developing a new plan, trustees led a revision process that resulted in a recalibrated plan, charting the path from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. The recalibrated plan continued key, relevant initiatives from the former plan and added new initiatives.
The Opportunity
Before the organization commits to developing its next strategic plan, Achieva Support, Achieva Resource, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, and The Arc Erie County will embark on a process that involves a review and reflection on the current plan, identifying and continuing to implement projects important to their affiliate, and identifying gaps and priorities to position each affiliate for the future to advance Achieva and its mission1. This work by the affiliates will support Achieva's overall future strategic planning. (The Family Trust recently completed its own strategic plan.) To assist Achieva Support and Achieva Resource with this work, consultants are being sought to help facilitate discussions with key staff, trustees, and other stakeholders.
Expected Tasks and Deliverables
This engagement is expected to start on or near July 1, 2026, and should conclude by September 30, 2026, and produce the deliverables detailed below. Please note that while this is a joint RFP, the tasks and deliverables are expected to be submitted separately for each entity.
- Review current plan and materials:
- Review the existing strategic plan and various reports and evaluations provided by Achieva Resource and Achieva Support. Work with affiliate leadership staff to review current plan initiatives that are unstarted or unfinished to understand their value for continuation. The selected consultant will help determine whether additional research is needed, develop materials, and facilitate necessary meetings.
- Conduct Assessments and Stakeholder Engagement Activities:
- Develop and implement a process to gather input on the current strategic plan as they relate to Achieva Resource and Achieva Support. This includes meeting with key stakeholders, such as the Achieva Resource Board of Trustees, the Achieva Support Board of Trustees, the Achieva leadership team (affiliate presidents and executive team members), program managers, and others as determined in consultation with the affiliate leadership staff.
- Facilitate separate discussions with the Achieva Resource and Achieva Support leadership team to lead them through an assessment of their operations. The goal is to help both entities identify their unique needs and the future investments needed to best position each affiliate to further Achieva’s mission.
- Facilitate discussions to produce agreed-upon strategic priorities for Achieva Resource and Achieva Support to inform the next iteration of the Achieva strategic vision process.
- Produce Final Report(s) with Recommendations:
- Produce separate reports for Achieva Resource and Achieva Support that summarize stakeholder perspectives and feedback on future direction.
Please note that the outcome of this work will not be a new strategic plan. Instead, we are seeking consultant support to help both Achieva Resource and Achieva Support reflect on the expiring plan and identify which initiatives and projects should continue, along with the resources needed to fully realize them. Lastly, consultant support will help both affiliates identify priorities. Consultants are welcome to propose various methods to achieve these outcomes, such as conducting a SWOT analysis and other tasks.
Submissions and Questions
Proposals can be submitted by email to
lwarren@achieva.info.
If you have questions, please contact LaToya Warren, Executive VP & CFO, Achieva; President of Achieva Resource, at
lwarren@achieva.info.
Proposals should be submitted in PDF format by the stated deadline.
- RFP Issued: May 5, 2026
- Questions Due: May 15, 2026
- Proposals Due: June 5, 2026
- Projected Work Start Date: July 1, 2026
Proposal Contents and Requirements
Please draft proposals in the following format:
- Executive Summary
- Consultant Team Profile and Experience
- Approach and Methodology
- Timeline and Deliverables
- Cost
Proposals - please include the proposed payment schedule Proposals will be evaluated based on the clarity of the proposed approach, cost and value, references, and demonstrated strategic planning experience.
1 The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh and The Arc Erie County already have secured the services of a consultant. The Family Trust has a separate strategic plan that runs through 2029.