Request for Proposals
Back To Our Roots Website Development and Design
Introduction
The Enchanté Network is seeking a qualified and creative website designer and developer (individual or team) to create a visually compelling, accessible, and community-centered website for Back to Our Roots, a project of The Enchanté Network which is a national initiative by and for Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada.
The selected contractor will be responsible for designing, developing, and launching a bilingual website (English/French) that serves as the central hub for events, research, resources, and engagement throughout the project’s lifespan.
Background of The Enchanté Network
The Enchanté Network (TEN) is the largest network of 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in Canada. We connect, support and advocate for more than 200 independent 2SLGBTQI+ organizations. Our network spans every province and territory, and our members include 2 Spirit societies, pride centers, HIV/AIDS organizations, trans collectives, and countless other essential, frontline organizations.
Background of Back To Our Roots
In 2023, the Enchanté Network launched the Back to Our Roots project to address the unique, intersectional challenges faced by Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada. At the heart of the B2R project is community engagement, and our upcoming events are designed to empower Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals with the knowledge, connections, and tools to build a vibrant, thriving national movement.
Through roundtables, webinars, regional summits, and community-led research, the project aims to center Black 2SLGBTQI+ voices, particularly those often excluded from dominant narratives, such as rural, disabled, and gender-diverse populations.
Project Objectives
The new Back to Our Roots website must:
- Host information about events (webinars, summits, roundtables)
- Showcase research reports and resources
- Highlight partner organizations and participants
- Offer space for community engagement and feedback
- Reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities
To achieve these objectives, the website should be visually appealing, user-friendly, accessible, and optimized for engagement and conversions.
The website must be fully bilingual, and functioning in English and French to ensure accessibility for all users.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will design and develop a bilingual (English/French), accessible website that reflects the spirit of Back to Our Roots—a community-driven initiative by and for Black 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada. The site will serve as a central platform for sharing events, research, stories, and opportunities to engage with the project.
The website will include, but is not limited to, the following:
Home (Landing Page)
A visually engaging homepage featuring the following anchored sections:
- Hero Section – Bold visuals and messaging with a clear call-to-action.
- About the Project – Project summary with link to full About page.
- Why This Matters – Context on the project’s urgency and purpose.
- Our Demand – A statement calling for a national Black 2SLGBTQI+ organization.
- Our Approach – Emphasizing community-led principles: by us, for us.
- Take Action – Ways to participate, contribute, or stay informed.
- Community Voices – Selected stories and testimonials from across the country.
- Partners & Collaborators (Preview) – A snapshot of key partners, including featured logos or names, linking to the full directory.
Additional Pages
- About the Project: An overview of Back to Our Roots, its goals, history, and the broader context of the Enchanté Network.
- Events: A dedicated section to feature upcoming and past events, such as webinars, roundtables, and regional summits, with options for registration and content playback.
- Research & Resources: A searchable repository of reports, research findings, and downloadable tools created through the project.
- Community Voices: A space to highlight stories, insights, and creative contributions from Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across Canada.
- Partners & Collaborators (Full Page): Recognition of supporting organizations, facilitators, and regional leads involved in the initiative.
- Get Involved: Information on how individuals and organizations can connect, contribute, or stay engaged with the project.
- Newsletter Subscription: A clear and accessible form for users to subscribe to project updates, announcements, and opportunities via email.
- Our Team: Profiles of the Back to Our Roots staff, advisory members, and collaborators.
The website will be built on Squarespace or another drag-and-drop website builder (other than Wix), ensuring ease of content management and scalability for future updates.
Appropriate communication with Back To Our Roots staff as required is also expected.
Key Deliverables
The selected vendor will be responsible for:
- Designing and developing a responsive, accessible, and engaging website on Squarespace or another drag-and-drop website builder (other than Wix).
- Creating a content management system (CMS) that allows easy updates and scalability.
- Implementing SEO best practices for increased visibility.
- Ensuring compliance with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA or higher).
- Integrating social media and other third-party tools as needed.
- Providing training and documentation for TEN staff on website maintenance.
- Offering post-launch technical support for an agreed-upon period.
- Ensuring full bilingual functionality (English and French), including translated content and language toggle features.
Key Dates
Submission deadline: May 18, 2025, 11:59EST
- Consultant selected: May 20, 2025
- Contract begins: May 21, 2025
- Meeting with internal team: May 21, 22 or 26, 2025
- Website first draft due: June 5, 2025
- Website second draft due: June 12, 2025
- Website publication due and contract ends: June 16, 2025
It should be noted that The Enchanté Network works on a four-day workweek and is not in office on Fridays.
Proposal Requirements
Interested vendors should submit a proposal that includes:
- Applicant Overview: Background, relevant experience, and past projects.
- Project Approach: A brief description of the proposed approach, including timelines and milestones.
- Technical Specifications: Suggested technologies, hosting requirements, and CMS recommendations.
- Design and User Experience (UX) Strategy: A vision for the website’s look, feel, and navigation via wireframe.
- Budget Breakdown: Estimated costs for development, design, and ongoing support.
- Team Composition: Key team members and their roles in the project.
- Portfolio and References: Examples of previous work and client references.
- Language Capabilities: Demonstrated experience in developing bilingual websites (English and French).
Budget
TEN is looking for competitive proposals. While cost-effectiveness is important, we will prioritize proposals that offer the best value in terms of quality, functionality, and long-term sustainability.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with TEN’s mission and objectives.
- Demonstrated experience in website development for nonprofits or similar organizations.
- Quality of past work and design capabilities.
- Technical approach and compliance with accessibility standards.
- Cost-effectiveness and value for money.
- Proposed timeline and ability to meet deadlines.
- Experience in creating fully bilingual (English and French) websites.
Submission details
- Deadline for submission: May 18 2025, 11:59EST
- Submission Format: PDF or online link.
- Send proposals to: Brittan Hudson ([email protected]) AND Zoë David-Delves ([email protected])
We look forward to receiving your proposals and partnering with a skilled website development team to create an impactful and engaging digital presence for The Enchanté Network. Individuals with lived experience of being Black and/or a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community are especially encouraged to submit.
Please note that as The Enchanté Network is based in Canada, we prioritize candidates based in Canada.