Maryland Humanities is seeking a qualified Web Designer with a proven track record in creating organizational websites that are visually appealing, and intuitive and easy for visitors and users to navigate. Our current website, while functional, does not reflect the user-friendliness and modern design necessary to engage a broader audience and fully represent the dynamism of our programming. We aim to transform our website into a dynamic, accessible, and inviting platform that enables us to reach new audiences and deepen existing connections.
ABOUT MARYLAND HUMANITIES
Maryland Humanities is a statewide non-profit that employs 16 staff persons and has a 28-person board. The organization’s current main programs include a robust grant program, One Maryland One Book, Maryland History Day, and Museum on Main Street. A comprehensive overview is available online at https://www.mdhumanities.org/about-us/.
Mission: Maryland Humanities creates and supports bold experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities.
Humanities Now, our new Strategic Plan was adopted in December 2021.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Maryland Humanities has been recognized for its transformational impact by program participants, yet our current website fails to capture that spirit. This comprehensive website redesign is aligned with our strategic plan, specifically Initiative 2 – Growth & Reach, which focuses on establishing branding and messaging strategies to differentiate Maryland Humanities and build excitement and engagement. The new website will build upon our recent work with a Communications Consultant toward this goal.
We have increasingly considered our role in the ecosystem of humanities work across the state of Maryland, and how we can foster trust and relevance among a dynamic population. For this reason, it is imperative that our values guide the Web Designer’s work. More specifically, we’d like our website to reflect our commitment to strengthening communities of belonging, while also celebrating and embracing the various cultures, identities, and the lived experiences of all Marylanders. To this end the Web Designer must engage various populations and listen deeply to their needs, ensuring the website is uplifting and creates space for a variety of partners’ stories.
SCOPE OF THE WORK
Maryland Humanities seeks a Web Designer with a proven track record of excellence in developing and implementing user-friendly, engaging, and accessible websites.
This designer will work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Advancement to capitalize on the creativity and networks of the Maryland Humanities board and staff.
Website Needs:
- Shift from WordPress to a more user friendly platform.
- More modern up to date design consistent with our branding and color palette.
- Accessible to viewers in multiple languages.
- Site should have interactive elements that encourage visitors to stay and engage with the content.
- Ability to solicit and process online donations.
- User friendly event calendar.
Scope of Services:
- Conduct an assessment of our current website.
- Evaluate peer organizations’ websites and examples to establish a meaningful and unique redesign plan for Maryland Humanities, engaging Board members, staff, and key stakeholders.
- Design and implement a new website for Maryland Humanities, incorporating the branding and messaging strategies developed by our Communications Consultant.
- Hold interviews and listening sessions with users to compare the efficiency of using the new website with the old website, and adjust the user experience based on those results.
- Provide a final redesigned website that centers our values and priorities.
***For more background on the goals and evaluation criteria Maryland Humanities will use for the final product, visit here.***
Criteria
Proposals will be rated and ranked based on the following criteria:
- Overall match between the RFP requirements and proposal: Understanding of scope, objectives and completeness and coherence of response (25 points).
- Qualifications and previous work of consultant (25 points).
- Demonstrated ability of consultant to carry out communications plan of similar character and size and working with diverse audiences (25 points).
- Ability to work within the timeframe and budget (25 points).
Timeline & Budget
Project will begin no later than September 2024 and be completed by March 2025.
Most of the work will be done via Zoom or another platform of your choice.
The anticipated budget for the project is $10,000-$15,000 including expenses.
Proposal Content Requirements
Your proposal must be submitted electronically as a PDF, be no more than ten (10) pages, and include the following information:
- Please explain your understanding of the scope of services and how this aligns with your skills and experience.
- Please give examples of how you have incorporated a racial equity lens into your work.
- Provide estimated cost and timeline.
- Include a similar product from previous website design work that the person or team has led.
- Include a list of key personnel and a CV or resume of everyone who will work on the project.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Those wishing to submit proposals should do so by no later than August 16h at 5:00 p.m. by submitting the proposal and any company materials indicating qualifications to: Lindsey Baker, lbaker@mdhumanities.org.
The Selection Committee will conduct interviews during August-September 2024 with prospective consultants to discuss their proposal in greater depth and evaluate its alternatives with an expected agreement by the end of September 2024.
You may contact Lindsey Baker, CEO, at lbaker@mdhumanities.org for further information or with questions.