Graphic design agency or independent consultant

Overview

NTEN is seeking proposals from qualified graphic designers or design agencies to systematize and refine the conference sub-brand and create iconography for the 2026 conference. 

About NTEN

NTEN is a nonprofit organization creating a world where missions and movements are successful through the skillful and equitable use of technology. We build transformative power by connecting people who are putting technology to work for social change. We strengthen their individual and collective capacity for doing good by offering expert trainings, researching effective approaches, and providing places where relationships can flourish. We relentlessly advocate for the redesign of the systems and structures that maintain inequity.

About Nonprofit Technology Conference

NTEN’s conference — often referred to as the NTC — is the annual gathering of people who want to make the world a better place through the skillful and equitable use of technology. The NTC has something for people in all roles in nonprofit technology, from those brand new to their job to expert practitioners. Attendees include nonprofit staff, volunteers, board members, funders, consultants, and tech vendors.

Scope of Work

Historically, we have created unique branding each year for the NTC. We now want to standardize and templatize the branding from last year (25NTC) to create an evergreen NTC brand, which serves as a sub-brand of the NTEN brand. As such, we have existing assets, logo, and iconography from the 25NTC brand to base this scope of work on. We aim to transform this into a standardized, general NTC brand that can be reused each year.

The selected contractor will be responsible for the following services:

1. Audit and systematize existing brand assets, which include:
2. 25NTC logo
3. Graphic assets (triangles, iconography)
4. Email and website banners
5. Signage design for print (banners, easels, meter boards)
6. Social media templates
7. See examples of the 25NTC branding here, here, and here.
8. Refine the 25NTC branding to create a unified NTC brand identity that serves as a sub-brand for NTEN.
9. Any new assets necessary for a permanent brand.
10. NTC brand guidelines.
11. 26NTC iconography – 8-10 icons, some specific to Detroit, Michigan.

Budget and Payment

The budget for this project is between $3,000 – $5,000. Payment will be made in two installments – 50% advance and 50% on final completion and delivery of all assets. Payment will be made via ACH transfer (U.S.), PayPal, or WISE (international).

Contract Term and Trial Period

The initial contract term will be for two months, beginning on or around August 1, 2025, with the option to renew or extend upon mutual agreement.

There is scope to extend this contract to include the implementation of 26NTC-specific design work, including designing assets for print and web, based on mutual fit.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should include the following:

• Agency/Consultant Background: Description of relevant experience, particularly with nonprofit organizations, if applicable.
• Approach and Methodology: Describe how you will approach and organize the work.
• Sample Work or Case Studies: Especially those related to branding, illustration, and iconography. Examples of work systems, planning, and organization are also welcome.
• Tools and Technology: List the design and workspace platforms with which you are comfortable working.
• Fees and Billing Structure: Detail hourly rates, monthly retainers, or project-based pricing.
• References: Provide 2–3 client references.

Timeline

RFP Release: July 3, 2025

Proposal Deadline: July 20, 2025

Finalist Interviews: July 23–24, 2025

Selection Notification: July 28, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2025

Anticipated End Date: September 15, 2025

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

• Demonstrated experience with branding and design.
• Demonstrated experience with systematization and organization of graphic assets.
• Cost and value
• References and reputation

Submission Instructions

Please submit your proposal as a single PDF to communications@nten.org by July 20, 2025. Questions about this RFP can be directed to Asmita Ghosh by July 15, 2025.