Packaging & Design Specialist Subject Matter Expert - SME

AREA OF FOCUS DESCRIPTION

VISUAL

STORYTELLING

Translate technical narratives into personalized, high-

end Pitch Decks, Private Prospectuses, and Annual

Impact Reports.

INFOGRAPHICS

Design visual representations of our Theory of Change

and complex financial data to make institutional-grade

info compelling.

QUALITY

ASSURANCE

Perform the "Eagle Eye" review for formatting,

typography, branding, and functional digital links for all

submissions.

PRODUCTION

MGMT.

Maintain the "Production Calendar" in ClickUp to

ensure all internal deadlines are met and submissions

are never rushed.

ASSET

STEWARDSHIP

Maintain a centralized, organized library of "Press-

Ready" assets and project photography for network-

wide use.

Black Cultural Zone CDC

Carolyn Johnson, CEO

[email protected]

www.blackculturalzone.org

RE: Packaging & Design Specialist (Subject Matter Expert - SME)

The Centers of Excellence Network Foundation is seeking an elite

Packaging & Design Specialist (SME) to serve as the visual architect for

our Strategic Collaboration Ecosystem. This role supports the Black

Cultural Zone CDC (our operational Strategic Management Services hub)

and its network of programmatic corporations in scaling a $2.0B+

community-led ecosystem.

The Foundation serves as the System Architect, providing strategic

oversight and fiduciary control. This role ensures that our "Head" (technical

precision) and "Soul" (community trust) are reflected in world-class visual

storytelling, ensuring every proposal reflects the institutional gravity and

cultural excellence of our vision.

We are moving from standard document preparation to Strategic

Institutionalization and Resource Expansion (SIRE). We require a "Visual

Closer" who can translate high-stakes strategy into high-end strategic

funding documents that secure permanent community sovereignty.

Proven Impact: Immediate

access to 72 months of

successful grant metrics,

project pro-formas, and

community engagement data.

The Engine: A fully integrated

tech stack (Virtuous, ClickUp,

Momentum) containing

thousands of clean donor and

volunteer records.

The Vault: Signature initiative

templates and "Case for

Support" assets ready for

rapid remixing and

deployment.

Issued: Spring 2026

Deadline: Rolling Review

The Vision: Mobilizing two

billion dollars in capital to

anchor Black arts, culture,

and economics through a

high-fidelity governance

model.

The Blueprint: A strategic

geographic intervention (the

60x60 Block Plan) designed to

ensure permanent, non-

displaceable community

power.

The Governance: The

Foundation (System

Architect) provides fiduciary

oversight for specialized

subsidiaries in Real Estate,

Land Stewardship, and

Culture.

East Oakland, California

"Deep Roots. Bright Future."

60×60 Block Plan · Liberation Park · East Oakland

RFP Document · Spring 2026

Proposals must be no more than five (5) pages (excluding portfolio) in PDF format and include:

Design Portfolio: Link or 3–5 samples of complex funding documents, annual reports, or

investment decks.

Visual Close Case Study: One example of how your design significantly improved the clarity

or success of a high-value funding ask.

Technical Workflow: Describe how you utilize ClickUp to manage versioning and production

timelines.

Mock Fee Proposal: List of service items and "draw-down" rates fitting the monthly range.

The Strategic Qualifier: (300 words max) Describe how you will transform a 20-page

technical narrative into a 10-slide visual document that secures a "Private Invitation" from an

institutional investor.

Submit to: [email protected]

We utilize a Deliverable-Based Draw-Down Retainer model to ensure consistent partnership and

accountability.

Monthly Retainer Balance: $3,000+.

Mechanism: Fees are "drawn down" only upon successful completion of specific deliverables (e.g., cost

per Custom Pitch Deck or Final Production Review).

Replenishment: The Foundation replenishes the account to the agreed base level monthly upon invoice

approval.

The selected SME will be the "Visual Closer" within our professional workflow:

Tech Stack: Proficiency required in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) or Canva,

plus ClickUp and Google Workspace.

Integration: Work directly with the Proposal Architect (Technical Writer) and internal Coordinator to

manage the "Final Mile" of submissions.

Production Assets: Full access to brand identity guidelines, historical photography, and impact data

visualizations.

Strategic Collaboration Ecosystem RFP Series | Centers of Excellence Network Foundation | Proprietary & Confidential