Visit Kansas City Kansas is seeking a qualified and experienced Contractor to lead a comprehensive effort to coordinate activities identified in the Mayor’s Wyandotte County World Cup Readiness Task Force report and raise philanthropic funds in support of community initiatives within Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) and Wyandotte County. These initiatives are designed to create a lasting positive legacy from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The funds raised will be directed to a designated 501(c)(3) organization to ensure tax deductibility for donors. These funds will support a range of community development projects, including but not limited to: 

  • Beautification projects (e.g., streetscapes, public space enhancements) 

  • Community grants to neighborhoods and local organizations for events and activations 

  • Soccer-related youth programs (e.g., clinics, equipment, league support) 

  • Murals and public arts projects celebrating local culture and the World Cup 

  • Other community-identified priorities that align with the initiative's goals. 

The contractor should possess a proven track record of successfully leading community and fundraising initiatives. Candidates must have demonstrable experience working with non-profit organizations and 501(c)(3) structures, including the ability to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies. A strong existing network within Wyandotte County and the Kansas City region and experience securing funds from corporations, foundations, and major individual donors are highly desirable. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills are essential, as is experience managing relationships with development agencies or similar consultants. An understanding of community development and civic engagement initiatives will be considered an advantage. 

Project Goals and Objectives: 

Primary Goal: To raise between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000 in philanthropic and business contributions. 

Key Objectives:  

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy tailored to potential local, regional, and national donors (corporate, foundation, individual). 

  • Create compelling case statements and a menu of attractive sponsorship opportunities with defined benefits and recognition levels. 

  • Actively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors. 

  • Ensure all fundraising activities are conducted ethically and in compliance with relevant regulations, including procedures for directing funds to the designated 501(c)(3) organization. 

  • Provide regular progress reports and transparent financial accounting of fundraising efforts. 

  • Act as a key contact and attend meetings as necessary with KC 2026 and other regional World Cup-related efforts. 

  • Coordinate and track activities related to the Mayor’s Wyandotte County (WYCO) World Cup Readiness Task Force report and other identified World Cup activities. 

Contract Period: The anticipated contract period is from July 2025 to August 2026. This period encompasses strategy development, active fundraising, and implementation activities. 

Contractor Responsibilities and Deliverables: 

The Contractor will be responsible for the following:

Fundraising Strategy & Planning: 

  • Deliverable: In collaboration with a development agency (to be engaged by the Contractor or by Visit KCK depending on contractor preference), develop a detailed fundraising plan. This plan should include:  

  • A realistic assessment and estimate of the total funds that can be raised, with clear rationale. 

  • Identification of key prospective donor segments (corporate, foundation, major individual donors). 

  • Specific strategies and timelines for approaching each segment. 

  • A communications plan to support fundraising efforts. 

  • Timeline: Within 4-6 weeks of contract start 

Case Statement & Sponsorship Menu Development: 

  • Deliverable: Develop a compelling case statement articulating the vision, impact, and community benefits of the World Cup legacy initiatives. 

  • Deliverable: Create a comprehensive menu of sponsorship opportunities with tiered giving levels, associated benefits, and recognition packages (e.g., naming rights, event sponsorship, program underwriting). This should be developed in consultation with Visit KCK, Unified Government, and the development agency. 

  • Timeline: Within 6-8 weeks of contract start  

Prospect Research and Identification: 

  • Deliverable: Identify and qualify a robust pipeline of potential corporate, foundation, and individual major gift donors. 

  • Timeline: Ongoing, with initial list within 6 weeks of contract start 

Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship: 

  • Deliverable: Execute all outreach and solicitation efforts. This includes:  

  • Scheduling and conducting meetings with prospective donors. 

  • Preparing and presenting customized proposals and sponsorship packages. 

  • Negotiating gift agreements in consultation with Visit KCK and the designated 501(c)(3). 

  • Deliverable: Develop and implement a stewardship plan to acknowledge and recognize donors, ensuring their continued engagement. 

  • Timeline: Ongoing throughout the contract period. 

​Coordination and Management: 

  • Deliverable: Serve as the primary point of contact for all fundraising activities related to this initiative. 

  • Deliverable: Coordinate effectively with Visit KCK staff, Unified Government, partner organizations, volunteers, the designated 501(c)(3) organization, and the selected development agency. 

  • Deliverable: Manage all administrative aspects of the fundraising campaign, including donor tracking (in a system to be agreed upon, e.g., a CRM), correspondence, and record-keeping. 

Reporting: 

  • Deliverable: Provide regular progress reports to Visit KCK and the Unified Government. These reports should include (but not be limited to):  

  • Key activities undertaken. 

  • Number of prospects identified, cultivated, and solicited. 

  • Funds raised to date (pledged and received). 

  • Progress against fundraising goals and timelines. 

  • Challenges encountered and proposed solutions. 

  • Frequency: Bi-weekly updates, Monthly reports, Periodic review meetings 

Financial Management Coordination: 

  • Deliverable: Ensure clear processes are established and followed for the secure transfer of donated funds to the designated 501(c)(3) organization. 

  • Deliverable: Assist in providing necessary documentation for financial reconciliation related to fundraising income. 

 Coordination of World Cup-Related Activities:  

  • Deliverable: Act as a key contact and attend meetings as necessary with KC 2026 and other regional World Cup-related efforts. 

  • Deliverable: Coordinate and support the implementation of community activities stemming from the Mayor’s WYCO World Cup Readiness Task Force report and other identified World Cup activities. 

  • Deliverable: Track progress of initiatives related to the Mayor’s WYCO World Cup Readiness Task Force report and other identified World Cup activities. Provide regular status updates and report on any identified needs or opportunities. 

Visit KCK Responsibilities: 

  • Provide access to relevant background information, branding guidelines, and key stakeholders. 

  • Appoint a primary point of contact for communication and approvals. 

  • Provide funding to get the effort up and running. 

  • Actively participate in donor cultivation and solicitation meetings as appropriate and agreed upon. 

  • Provide timely review and approval of materials developed by the Contractor. 

  • Coordinate with key stakeholders including the Unified Government and key community partners. 

Budget and Payment Terms: 

  • The Contractor will propose a fee structure for the services outlined in this SOW. The fee should be no more than 30% of the anticipated funds raised. 

  • Note: Compensation will not be based on a percentage of funds raised, in accordance with ethical fundraising practices. 

  • The proposal should include a detailed breakdown of any anticipated direct expenses (e.g., travel, specialized software, event costs if not covered separately by Visit KCK) that would be billed separately, subject to pre-approval. 

  • The proposal should specify if the retention of the development agency is the responsibility of the Contractor or if it should be contracted/paid separately by Visit KCK. 

  • Payment schedule: Monthly upon submission of invoice and progress report. 

Reporting Requirements: As detailed earlier, the Contractor’s main point of contact will be Alan Carr, executive director at Visit Kansas City Kansas. 

Assumptions: 

  • Visit KCK will secure and provide details of the designated 501(c)(3) partner organization in a timely manner. 

  • Key stakeholders from Visit KCK, Unified Government and the community will be available to support fundraising efforts (e.g., attending meetings, making introductions). 

  • The overall economic environment remains conducive to philanthropic giving. 

Confidentiality: The Contractor will be expected to handle all donor information and proprietary Visit KCK, Unified Government and partner organization information with the utmost confidentiality. 

Measures of Success: Success of this project will be measured by the timely completion of deliverables, achievement of fundraising goals (or best efforts towards them), adherence to ethical fundraising practices, and positive collaborative working relationships. 

Proposal Submission: The Deadline to submit proposals is 5:00 pm CDT on Friday, June 20, 2025. Please include relevant qualifications and experience including any work in Wyandotte County or involving Wyandotte County businesses or organizations as well as the proposed fee structure.  

All correspondence and inquiries related to this RFP should be directed to: 
Alan Carr, Executive Director 
Visit Kansas City Kansas 
alan@visitkansascityks.com   
913-601-4011