Vantage Point | Backbone of the BC Non-Profit Network (BCNN)
| Issued By | Vantage Point |
| Date Issued | September 21, 2026 |
| Proposal Deadline | October 19, 2026 at 4:00pm PST |
| Anticipated Project Start Date | January 11, 2027 |
| Estimated Budget | Up to CAD $25,000 (inclusive of all fees and expenses) |
| Submit to / questions | Zahra Esmail, CEO, zesmail@thevantagepoint.ca |
About Us
Vantage Point is a British Columbia non-profit that serves other BC non-profits. A settler-led organization with our main office on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, Vantage Point provides support to BC’s non-profit sector as well as programs that support sector success through convening, facilitation, and advocacy. Vantage Point's work spans across the territories of over 200 distinct First Nations in BC.
Our vision is an inclusive community, where non-profits can achieve their fullest potential and drive sustainable change throughout the province and beyond. We promote connected communities by nurturing a strong non-profit sector. We achieve this by delivering high-quality training, resources, and advocacy that builds connection, creativity, and impact in the sector.
Vantage Point is also the backbone organization for the BC Non-Profit Network (BCNN), a collaborative network that connects, informs, and mobilizes non-profits across the province on issues affecting the sector as a whole.
Together, these two brands represent one organization operating under two names: Vantage Point (our organizational identity) and BCNN (the network we steward).
Project Background and Rationale
Over time, this dual-brand structure has created confusion for our community about who we are, how the two names relate to each other, and what each does. Additionally, the name “Vantage Point” does not clearly communicate who we serve or where we work, which we would like to address as part of this review.
We are seeking an external strategic communications / branding partner to help us think through our name and brand identity, informed directly by the people and organizations we serve.
This work is motivated by:
- Ongoing confusion in the sector about the relationship between Vantage Point and BCNN
- A name (“Vantage Point”) that does not signal our sector, our audience, or our geography
- A desire to hear directly from our community before making any decisions about our name(s) or brand architecture
- An interest in a brand identity that better reflects who we are today and where we want to go
Community engagement is central to this project. Vantage Point will lead and manage the engagement process internally (e.g., surveys, focus groups, interviews with members, partners, and interest holders).
We are looking for a partner who can help design the engagement approach and questions in collaboration with us and then take the findings and translate them into clear, actionable naming and brand recommendations.
Project Objectives
- Understand how our community currently perceives Vantage Point and BCNN, individually and
- Determine what our community wants and expects from us, and how they would like to see the two brands relate to one another (e.g., one unified name, a parent/program relationship, two distinct names, etc.).
- Assess whether, and how, we should change our organizational name to better reflect who we work with and where we work.
- Develop a clear brand architecture recommendation that resolves the current confusion between Vantage Point and BCNN.
- Provide a naming strategy and, if a name change is recommended, a short list of viable name options with rationale.
- Leave us with a foundational brand identity direction (positioning, messaging pillars, and visual identity direction) that we can build on, whether or not a full rebrand follows immediately.
Scope of Work
We anticipate the engagement will include the following phases. Proponents are welcome to propose an alternate structure if it better achieves our objectives within budget.
Phase 1: Discovery & Engagement Design
- Review of existing materials (current brand guidelines, past research, website, communications)
- Interest holder interviews with 10-15 Vantage Point staff, board, and key partners (completed by Vantage Point)
- Collaborative design of the community engagement approach and question set (Vantage Point will lead fieldwork including surveys, focus groups, interviews)
Phase 2: Synthesis & Strategic Analysis
- Analysis of community engagement findings (data provided by Vantage Point)
- Assessment of brand architecture options for the Vantage Point / BCNN relationship
- Competitive and sector landscape scan (naming conventions among comparable organizations/networks)
Phase 3: Recommendations & Direction
- Brand architecture recommendation
- Naming strategy, including a shortlist of name options (if a change is recommended) with rationale, and basic trademark/domain availability screening
- Positioning statement and core messaging pillars for the organization and, if applicable, the network
- High-level visual identity direction (e.g., mood boards, design principles) to guide future visual identity development
Phase 4: Final Report & Handoff
- A final summary report Vantage Point can use to guide decision-making and any future full rebrand
Out of scope for this engagement (given budget): visual identity development and execution (e.g., logo options, brand guidelines document, website redesign), which we anticipate procuring separately if a rebrand is approved.
Deliverables
- Engagement design document (discussion guide / survey questions) developed collaboratively with Vantage Point
- Findings summary from community engagement analysis
- Brand architecture recommendation
- Naming strategy and shortlist of potential names (if applicable)
- Positioning statement and messaging pillars
- Visual identity direction document
- Final report for Vantage Point staff and board
Timeline
| RFP Issued | September 21, 2026 |
| Questions Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| Proposals Due | October 19, 2026 at 4:00pm PST |
| Shortlist/Interviews | Early November 2026 |
| Partner Selected | Early December 2026 |
| Project Kick-Off | January 11, 2027 |
| Anticipated Completion | June 30, 2027 |
Budget
The total budget for this engagement is up to CAD $25,000, inclusive of all professional fees, disbursements, and applicable taxes. Vantage Point will absorb the direct costs of community engagement fieldwork (e.g., survey tools, incentives, facilitation logistics) separately from this budget, as that work will be managed internally.
Proponents should provide a proposed fee breakdown by phase or deliverable, and note any assumptions that inform their pricing.
Proposal Requirements
Please submit a proposal (maximum 10 pages, excluding appendices) that includes:
- Proponent overview and relevant experience, particularly with non-profits, sector networks, or organizations navigating a similar brand/name relationship
- Proposed approach and methodology, including how you would collaborate with us on engagement design and incorporate community findings into your recommendations
- Proposed timeline aligned to (or improving on) the schedule above
- Bios and roles of proponent team members, including who would be the day-to-day lead
- Two to three relevant work samples or case studies, ideally including naming or brand architecture work
- Three references, ideally from non-profit or network-based clients
- Detailed budget and fee structure
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Weight |
| Relevant experience with non-profits, networks, and naming/brand architecture projects | 25% |
| Quality and clarity of proposed approach, especially collaboration on community engagement | 25% |
| Team qualifications and capacity | 15% |
| Value for budget / fee reasonableness | 20% |
| Cultural fit and understanding of the BC non-profit sector | 15% |
Submission Instructions
Please submit proposals in PDF format to Zahra Esmail at zesmail@thevantagepoint.ca by October 19, 2026 at 4:00pm PST. Questions may be directed to the same contact by October 5, 2026. Late or incomplete proposals may not be considered.
Vantage Point reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to negotiate with any proponent, and to cancel this RFP process at any time without liability.
Contact
| Name | Zahra Esmail |
| Title | CEO |
| zesmail@thevantagepoint.ca | |
| Phone | 604.637.8207 |