YAI

YAI, the New York-based non-profit that provides services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is looking for a creative partner to bolster its visibility.

Founded in 1957 as the Young Adult Institute, YAI’s 4K staffers provide supportive housing, education, rehabilitation, behavioral support, crisis intervention and other services to more than 20K people with I/DD in metro New York and California.

Though unrestricted fundraising has climbed in recent years, YAI still struggles to attract individual donors outside of the current pool of family members, corporate and foundation sponsors, according to its RFP.

The organization “seeks strategies and programs that will massively and sustainably amplify our visibility among the general public, which includes prospective donors and employees.”

It wants to be known as the top-of mind organization in the I/DD field for people “considering a career, seeking a volunteer role, or planning to make a charitable contribution—whether that means our own ‘Red Nose Day’ or a more systemic campaign to raise awareness and support for our efforts to support this overlooked population.”

YAI is looking for earned/paid media, brand positioning, out-of-home advertising, social media and thought leadership opportunities.

Its in-house advancement and communications team can implement recommendations including templates for new creative work, media outreach, etc.

YAI has budgeted from $225K to $275K to support the communications drive.

Firms need to contact YAI at [email protected] by April 28 to express their interest in pitching the business. Proposals are due May 20.

Read the RFP (PDF).