Introducing The Link: One Network to Connect Every RPS Student to What's Next
Richmond Ed Fund
The Link
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Overview
Richmond Ed Fund (REF) operates as an investment fund hyper-focused on the economic mobility of RPS students. We test transformative ideas with private capital and, when the evidence is there, push those approaches into public systems at scale.
RVA Builds is Richmond's first citywide pre-apprenticeship and youth registered apprenticeship initiative. Employer partners have committed to apprenticeship opportunities for RPS students over the next five years, and a national consulting firm is serving as our technical assistance partner.
This RFP seeks proposals from a consortium of organizations to deliver postsecondary navigation services across all five comprehensive RPS high schools through a coordinated network of The Link.
The goal: a 50% increase in RPS graduates on a pathway to a living wage by 2031. Everything in this RFP is designed to get there.
What's Already Built
The selected network will inherit some assets:
Employer commitments in skilled trades are secured and active
Institutional knowledge from existing programs placed in schools
An operational governance structure with alignment from RPS and the City of Richmond
A national Technical Assistance partner and a shared data platform
REF's ongoing support, including access to national learning visits and convenings
The network's job is to connect students to this system.
What We're Not Looking For
REF is not seeking a lead organization with subgrantees. We are seeking a network that operates as a unified system, with shared accountability and coordinated delivery across all five schools. Proposals that don't demonstrate genuine collaboration will not be reviewed
Why Are We Doing This?
Too many RPS graduates leave high school without a plan or the support to follow through on it. Students encounter disconnected programs, inconsistent guidance, and navigation systems that weren't built to produce strong post-secondary outcomes. The result is predictable: low apprenticeship entry rates, college persistence gaps, and graduates who needed more than a diploma.
This RFP is a direct response. REF is investing in one coordinated network, not five separate programs.
Who We're Serving
64%
of RPS students are economically disadvantaged
19%
are multilingual learners
Declining
share of Black registered apprentices nationally
Eligibility
A minimum of two nonprofit organizations is required.
One must serve as the lead applicant with legal and financial accountability.
For-profit entities may participate as vendors or partners, but may not serve as the lead applicant.
Single-organization proposals will not be reviewed.
**Networks should be fully formed at the time of submission. Please do not contact REF about forming partnerships before applying.
Required Collaboration Elements
All proposals must include:
A lead organization with clearly defined legal and financial accountability
Signed commitment letters from all partner organizations outlining specific responsibilities and deliverables
A shared governance structure defining how decisions are made and how accountability is held across the network
A shared data approach that enables a unified view of student progress while complying with FERPA
A joint professional development model for all program staff
A clear explanation of why the collaboration produces stronger outcomes than any single organization could achieve alone
Prior joint work, shared staffing arrangements, and co-developed programs are strong evidence of genuine collaboration. Describe what you've built together, not just what you hope to build.
Scope of Work
The Link operates year-round and serves all students across all five comprehensive RPS high schools. Students enrolled in RVA Builds receive an additional layer of structured support, defined milestones, and case management.
Career Exploration and Planning
Deliver career readiness curriculum aligned with the 9th-grade sequence
Conduct interest assessments and maintain current pathway plans for each student
Connect students to employer engagement opportunities throughout the year
Work-Based Learning Support
Prepare students for interviews
Coordinate logistics for 120-hour work-based learning placements
Monitor eligibility, coursework completion, and milestone progress
Post-Graduation Support
Maintain active contact with graduates for 24 months after graduation
Track outcomes including employment, retention, and wage growth
Support students pursuing multiple post-secondary pathways
Case Management — RVA Builds Students
Conduct regular structured check-ins with apprenticeship-track students
Identify and address barriers before they become exits
Connect students to support services and manage emergency support funds
Track work-based learning hours and milestone completion
Network Operations
Participate in school-level and citywide coordination meetings
Engage in shared professional development with the full network
Maintain accurate, timely data in the shared platform
All program staff must be fully trained and actively using all platforms by September 1, 2026
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should not exceed 8 pages and must address each of the following sections:
Statement of Interest — Why this network, why now, and what you bring that no single organization could.
Collaboration Model — How the network functions in practice: governance, decision-making, shared accountability, and what happens when you disagree.
Program Model — How you will deliver the full scope of work across all five schools.
Definition of Success — What you are committing to achieve and how you will know.
Sustainability Plan — How will this work continue after REF's initial investment? What has been your fundraising strategy?
Three-Year Budget — Annual maximum of $650,000. Total maximum of $1,950,000 over three years. Budgets should reflect the actual cost of delivering the full scope of work. There is no minimum.
Required Attachments
In addition to the proposal requirements, please attach the following:
Signed commitment letters from all partner organizations
Lead applicant: FY25 Audited Financials, FY25-990, FY26 Operating Budget
Submission
Submit proposals as a single PDF to: rfp@rps.fund
REF reserves the right to reject any proposal and will not reimburse preparation costs. All applicants must disclose conflicts of interest at the time of submission.
Evaluation Criteria
Collaboration model: 30 points (How the Network Actually Functions: Governance, Shared Accountability, History of Working Together)
Program model: 20 points (Clarity, feasibility, and alignment with the full scope of work)
Sustainability plan: 20 points (Credible path to continue operation beyond REFS investment)
Relevant experience: 15 points (Track record with RPS students or comparable populations)
Budget alignment: 10 points (Realistic cost structure that reflects a scope)
Prior collaboration evidence: 5 points (Demonstrate a history of working together and not just letters of intent)
Selection Process
Stage 1 — Proposal Review: All submissions are reviewed against the evaluation criteria. Proposals are due by 5pm on May 29, 2026.
Stage 2 — Interviews: Mid June 2026. One representative from each partner organization must participate. The panel is interested in how your network functions in practice, especially when facing challenges or disagreements.
Stage 3 — Award: Award announced by July 1, 2026.
FAQs
Eligibility
Can a single organization apply?
No. A consortium of at least two nonprofits is required. Single-organization proposals will not be reviewed.
Can a for-profit organization participate?
Yes, as a vendor or partner. For-profit organizations may not serve as the lead applicant.
What counts as genuine collaboration?
Genuine collaboration means shared responsibility, coordinated delivery, and clear accountability. Evidence includes prior joint work, shared staffing, or co-developed programs. Letters of intent between organizations that have never worked together are not strong evidence.
Should we contact REF about potential partners before applying?
No. Networks must be fully formed at submission.
Can we hire current RPS Future Center Navigators?
Yes. Their relationships and institutional knowledge are assets. Factor them into your model.
Budget
Is there a minimum budget?
No. Budgets should reflect the real cost of delivering the full scope of work.
What does a weak sustainability plan look like?
One that doesn’t have a viable pathway to continued funding.
Interviews
Who must attend the interview?
One representative from each partner organization.
What is the panel looking for?
Move beyond theory. We want to understand how your network actually functions when things get hard. How do you make decisions? How do you handle disagreements? What breaks down, and how do you fix it?
Opportunity
Will the selected network participate in national learning visits?
Yes. REF will include the selected network in learning opportunities focused on high-performing apprenticeship systems nationally.
Please submit your proposal to RFP@rps.fund by 5pm on May 29, 2026.