Request for Proposal (RFP) for State Lobbyist

1. Introduction

About Neighbors for More Neighbors

Neighbors for More Neighbors stands up for secure, abundant homes for everyone in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

 

We envision a future where we all find a secure, affordable home in neighborhoods we choose. Those neighborhoods may include great transit, a community where family and friends are neighbors, or complete neighborhoods with walkable errands and jobs. As we move through our lives, we find smaller and larger homes as our needs change, while staying in communities we love. We imagine a day where this is true for everyone: owners and renters, and people of all ethnicities and income levels.

 

We organize to:

1. Address our Housing Crisis,

2. Create Complete Neighborhoods, and

3. Slow Climate Change

Project Description

Neighbors for More Neighbors (N4MN) has organized for abundant and secure homes in Minneapolis since 2018 with significant success. We do this work so all our neighbors can have a stable home. People deserve the option to live in the neighborhood they choose - and not everyone wants to live in Minneapolis. Other states are passing laws ensuring every community plays their role in providing secure and abundant housing. These laws increase housing affordability, create neighborhoods that meet the full spectrum of residents’ needs, and slow sprawl. Neighbors for More Neighbors is working to pass similar state legislation in Minnesota.

 

The N4MN State Policy Task Force has worked since 2023 to build the Yes to Homes coalition along with our fellow steering committee members and has grown the coalition to 41 organizational members over the last three years. We are preparing for the 2027 Minnesota legislative session and hope to pass the Starter Homes Act as well as work on other pro-homes legislation at the State Capitol. Our strategies include expanding our coalition in response to a power map, elevating voices of grassroots supporters and organizational allies, and engaging with paid and earned media to advance legislation.

2. General Information

Key Dates

 

Request for Proposal (RFP) release date	June 29, 2026
Question/clarification deadline	07/13/2026 No later than 5:00 PM CDT
Proposal deadline	07/20/2026 No later than 5:00 PM CDT
Interview	07/27/2026 - 08/07/2026 Times TBD
Contract start date	August 2026

 

Contact Person

Alexa Bobyak

neighborsformoreneighbors@gmail.com

Duration of Services

The initial term of the Contract resulting from this RFP will be from approximately 08/10/2026 through the end of June after the 2027 session ends. A contract for longer duration or a contract renewal will be based on performance under the initial contract and budget considerations. Neighbors for More Neighbors will be under no obligation to extend the term of the contract stated above. The contract will provide for early termination at the discretion of either party with a 15 days’ notice.

Selection Process

A contract will be awarded to the individual or firm whose proposal is most advantageous to Neighbors for More Neighbors, based upon the evaluation criteria as specified below, results of negotiations, and the final offer. Total scores of the evaluation criteria will guide an award decision but will not necessarily determine the recipient of the award. N4MN reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason.

Not a contract or offer of employment

This RFP is not a contract or offer of employment. Any expenses incurred before or otherwise outside of the contract that may be entered into based on this RFP are the responsibility of the lobbyist.

3. Minimum Qualifications

Contractors should meet these minimum qualifications:

• Registered lobbyist in the state of Minnesota, or the ability to become a registered lobbyist prior to the 2027 legislative session

• Demonstrated understanding of Minnesota’s political landscape and 3 to 5 years experience navigating Minnesota’s legislative process

• History of building relationships with state legislators, including leadership, and working with other key stakeholders 

• Experience enacting bipartisan legislation

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills

• Basic familiarity with zoning and/or state housing policy

• Firm should not have conflicts of interest on zoning and pro-housing policy, which includes representation of local jurisdictions or associations of cities 

4. Scope of Work

In close partnership with the Neighbors for More Neighbors State Policy Task Force, the contract lobbyist will advance N4MN’s legislative priorities at the Minnesota State Capitol to ensure everyone in the Twin Cities and Minnesota has a secure home in the neighborhood or community they choose. These priorities include:

 

• Yes to Homes/The Starter Homes Act (HF3895/SF4123) - This bill is our primary policy push. In 2026 it had an informational hearing in the House Housing Finance and Policy committee, then was voted down 6-8 in the House Elections Finance and Government Operations committee. This is the third year our coalition has brought zoning reform legislation, we do not expect bill language to shift significantly in 2027. 

• We are a member of the Housing Justice League and are closely following the Source of Income (HF2021/SF2097) and Right to Renew legislation (HF 997/SF 1761). 

• We are leading a coalition around an enabling act (HF161/SF1422) for Land Value Taxation which did not have a hearing in 2026. In view of Sen. Ann Rest’s retirement and Rep. Aisha Gomez’s support, and ongoing educational efforts, we believe this bill may have a strong chance in 2027. 

• Single Egress building code reform (HF4545/SF5153) is likely to be brought forward by Rep. Katie Jones again in 2027. We are working with Rep. Jones on specific education on this topic. We are a strong proponent of this and other building code or zoning changes which enable more affordable and accessible homes in MN. 

 

This lobbyist will work directly with our Director of Operations & Engagement to ensure goals are met and services are provided. This lobbying work will include:
 

• Develop background knowledge

  • Acquire a deep familiarity with Neighbors for More Neighbors (N4MN) policy objectives and legislative priorities. 

  • Provide feedback to N4MN on the legislation and develop a strategy, in coordination with the Yes to Homes coalition, for enacting the legislation in the 2027 legislative session.

  • Prepare for and lobby through the 2027 legislative session and any special sessions as needed. 

  • Create and execute a plan to aggressively pursue our agenda and 2-3 legislative priorities.

• Direct lobbying

  • Represent N4MN with legislators, and support N4MN leaders to build organizational relationships with legislators.

  • Work alongside the Yes to Homes Coalition to identify legislative targets, assess their support for priority legislation and address concerns, identify strategies to persuade legislators and overcome opposition, and meet regularly with legislative targets to ensure continued support.

  • Coordinate weekly in session meetings with other lobbyists in the Yes to Homes coalition.

  • Monitor bill introductions, committee hearings, and track bills that are relevant to N4MN. Flag and track any other bills that may impact housing abundance in Minnesota. 

    • Ensure N4MN’s bills are introduced and support the development of legislative text, receive timely committee hearings, and meet all necessary committee and crossover deadlines. 

    • Monitor conference committee activity and lobby to ensure that priority proposals are included in final bills.

  • Coordinate with bill authors to:

    • Enlist support of committee chairs and members to assure passage of bills through committees.

    • Enlist support from the caucus prior to a floor vote 

    • Manage negotiations and the amendment process. 

  • Provide a written report with analysis and information for future sessions, including key stakeholders.

• Coordinate with N4MN and support N4MN leader engagement

  • Meet weekly with a core team from N4MN to report on progress, develop and adjust strategy, and work to advance priorities. 

  • Clearly communicate with N4MN. As N4MN is a volunteer organization it is critical the lobbyist clearly and consistently communicates timelines, expectations, and needs.

  • Present twice - once at the beginning of session and once at the conclusion of session - to the N4MN State Policy Task Force. 

  • Assist N4MN with scheduling meetings with key legislative members before and throughout the legislative session to advance N4MN policy objectives. Help prepare volunteers for meetings. Assist N4MN with maintaining those legislative relationships. 

  • Identify opportunities for N4MN volunteers to provide testimony before committee and subcommittees, ensuring testifiers are signed up and strategically educated to testify.

  • Advise on timing for action alerts and opportunities for community input and involvement. Review selected communications to ensure they are accurate and appropriate.

• Coalition Partnership

  • Coordinate with allied organizations and seek to develop additional partnerships based on an understanding of needed support to pass zoning reform legislation in 2027.

• Compliance with all lobbying and reporting requirements.

5. Budget

• Neighbors for More Neighbors will negotiate a contract based on the scope of work and qualifications of the contract lobbyist.

6. Submission Instructions

Required Documents

Provide a proposal, no more than four (4) pages. Please include

• Description of your / your firm’s interest in this work, name and confirm availability of key staff, and describe your ability to provide the scope of work above.  

• Description of approach: describe you and / or your firm’s experience and approach to the legislative process and how you approach working with a volunteer-driven organization like Neighbors for More Neighbors. 

• Qualifications: credentials, qualifications, and accomplishments that demonstrate your capacity to manage this work, including at least two (2) references for whom you or your firm has provided similar services within the past five (5) years. Include a contact name, email address, and phone number.

• Fee proposal: provide a prospective budget or detailed description of your fee structure. Please include recommendations on aspects of the scope of work you recommend removing or adding as budget allows.

• Conflicts of interest: disclose any potential conflicts of interest with Neighbors for More Neighbors or Neighbors for More Neighbors volunteer leaders. In particular, please identify any cities for whom your firm represents. 

Questions

Questions about the RFP or requests for clarification will be accepted consistent with the date and time specified in the General Information section. All questions or requests for information must be submitted in email to the contact person listed in the General Information section.

7. Evaluation Criteria & Selection Process

Proposals will be assessed according to the criteria below. These criteria will guide the selection process but other factors may be considered. 

Experience lobbying on at the Minnesota State Capitol Experience of key staff in working with similar organizations Relationships with key legislators and leadership  Proposal and coordination plan Cost/value References

Proposals will be first evaluated by a selection task force. The task force may schedule interviews with a subset of the respondents, and if so a second round of scoring will be conducted. Final selection will be at the discretion of the committee, subject to approval of the Neighbors for More Neighbors Board.