By Greg Hazley
The California Dept. of Veterans Affairs, which has been squeezed by the state legislature and governor in recent years to raise private funds, is on the hunt for a consultant or firm to boost its outreach to companies, legislators and private donors.
California has the most military veterans of any U.S. state – more than two million – who, combined with their families, make up 10 percent of the Golden State’s population.
The department’s communications office issued an RFP on Sept. 16 outlining plans to assist with outreach to boost donations and grants, communications and media relations, as well as coalition building. That includes tasks from letter-to-the-editor campaigns and booking TV appearances for staff, to reaching out to corporate sponsors and fostering ties with legislators and other organizations.
The department, known as CalVet, plans a six-month contract to be awarded around Nov. 1. Its services include housing assistance for new and aging veterans, long-term care, benefits assistance and other aide to those who served in the U.S. military.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 10 vetoed a bill that would have allowed advisory boards for the state’s six veterans’ homes to lobby the state legislature directly, rather than throw CalVet. The governor called the bill “unnecessary” with the support of CalVet and over the objections some vets and legislators.
Proposals are due Oct. 18.
Download the RFP (PDF).
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