Capacity Building and Partnerships Services for Community Based Organizations

The County of San Mateo (the “County” or “SMC”) covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula. The region covers 744 square miles and is home to nearly 800,000 residents and 20 incorporated cities. The County provides for the health and welfare of all people within its borders and serves as the local government for the unincorporated areas. Innovation thrives here in industries including bioscience, computer software, green technology, hospitality, financial management, health care, education and transportation. The County prides itself on how that prosperity fosters its commitment to protecting and enhancing the health, safety, welfare and natural resources of the community.

Formed in July 2014, the San Mateo County Sustainability Department strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community through work that is designed to bring solutions today while solving for tomorrow. The Sustainability Department has programs to help the county both fight and prepare for climate change, ensure clean energy, water, and air, and conserve resources for future generations through waste reduction.

The Sustainability Department has approximately 35 staff members and provides services in the following areas: Communications, Climate Resilience, Climate Protection, Waste Reduction, and Special Districts with similar but varying community needs.

The Department works with local community-based organizations (CBOs), nonprofits, faith organizations or associations that serve residents, particularly hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations in San Mateo County to Empower Community Leadership and Action and enable communities to lead and act on climate issues, fostering resilience and adaptability. This requires the Department to:

• Partner with CBOs to incorporate the needs and perspectives of hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations to inform and shape the Department’s plans, projects, and programs.

• Train Department staff to partner with CBOs to better understand outreach strategies and community needs.

• Provide capacity building and administrative support resources to CBOs to navigate government processes.

In partnership with the Sustainability Department, the selected contractor will provide technical support to a network of ten or more CBOs contracted by the Department for community outreach and engagement services, including assisting with invoicing, budgeting, and responding to task order and facilitating meetings and communication between contracted CBOs and the department staff. Current contracted CBOs include El Concilio, Nuestra Casa, Sea Hugger, Senior Coastsiders, Arriba South Coast, Support Lives, Belle Haven Action, Healthways, Rise South City, and Acterra. The contractor will also p rovide consulting and training for Department staff and will create a plan for deeper partnerships between the Sustainability Department and CBOs. The contractor should have an understanding of San Mateo County and must provide evidence of existing working relationships with community-based organizations in San Mateo County.