Ollin EDU partners with colleges, universities, and mission-aligned organizations through structured, proposal-based institutional engagements.

This pathway is designed for institutions seeking formal retained services.

When an RFP Is the Right Path

Submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP) is appropriate when:

• Decision authority and governance are clearly defined
• The engagement has institutional visibility or implementation risk
• There is a defined scope, timeline, or planning horizon
• The work may involve multiple stakeholders, units, or partners
• The organization is seeking a partner, not ad hoc advice

Institutional engagements require clear ownership and decision authority.

Types of Engagements Considered

RFPs commonly relate to work involving:

• Program or initiative design, launch, or relaunch
• Non-degree, special academic, or transitional learning models
• Operational readiness, compliance, and risk mitigation
• Cross-sector partnership design and governance
• Workforce-aligned or employer-connected initiatives
• Institutional growth, sustainability, and alignment planning
• Fractional leadership or retained advisory support

Submitting a Formal RFP

Institutions with a prepared Request for Proposal may submit materials for consideration.

When available, please include:

• Organizational context and objectives
• Scope of work and anticipated timeline
• Decision-making and governance structure
• Budget parameters or funding constraints
• Or utilize Ollin EDU’s form

Submissions may be followed by a brief (15-minute) exploratory call to confirm alignment, clarify scope, and determine next steps. This conversation is intended to support responsible proposal development and is not a consulting session.

If You Do Not Have a Formal RFP

Institutions and organizations exploring a potential engagement but not yet issuing a formal RFP may submit a brief inquiry for consideration.

This option is intended for organizations with emerging clarity around goals, scope, and ownership, not open-ended brainstorming.

Exploratory conversations are best supported through Community Office Hours or Executive Advisory Sessions. Institutional engagements require clear ownership and decision authority.

Inquiry Submission

Organizations without a formal RFP may use the inquiry form to share:

• Institutional or organizational context
• The initiative, challenge, or opportunity being explored
• Role in decision-making and governance
• Anticipated timeline or planning horizon

Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.

When appropriate, inquiries may be followed by a brief (15-minute) exploratory call to assess alignment and determine whether a formal proposal process is appropriate.

Not all inquiries result in engagement.

Important Notes

• Submission does not guarantee partnership or proposal development
• Proposal work is selective and capacity-limited
• Exploratory calls are time-limited and focused on alignment, not advisory support
• Additional requests beyond submitted materials may require a separate agreement

Our goal is to ensure clarity, alignment, and responsible stewardship of institutional time and resources before any engagement begins.

Other Ways to Engaged

Community Office Hours Executive Advisory SessionsInsights, Field Notes and Thought Leadership

Join the Community - Apply Now

Community membership is free and designed to support thoughtful participation, shared learning, and long-term relationship building across the field.

Community Application

First name*

Last Name*

Pronouns (optional)

Title*

Organization*

Organization type*

(Select as many as you like)

University / College

Community-Based Nonprofit

Non-Profit

Nonprofit Association / Network

Foundation

Corporate Foundation

Corporate / Private Sector

Federal Government

State or Local Government

K-12 Youth-Serving Organization

Other / Hybrid

Website*

Email*

LinkedIn (optional)

What prompted you to explore the Ollin EDU community today?*

Share a brief note about what brought you here, what you’re hoping to learn, or the context you’re navigating right now. A sentence or two is plenty

Subscriptions*

By selecting “Yes,” you consent to receive occasional email communications from us, including insights, field notes, and newsletters; you may unsubscribe at any time.

Yes

No

Access & Scholarship Interest *

Ollin EDU occasionally shares limited, subsidized, or scholarship-supported opportunities for community members. These may include 1:1 executive advisory sessions, learning experiences, or events that typically carry a cost. Please indicate any options you’d like us to keep you in mind for. All opportunities are limited and context-dependent. Selecting an option does not create an obligation, guarantee access, or initiate solicitation.

(Select as many as you like)

Reduced-rate or sliding-scale Executive Advisory Sessions (for those in resource-constrained institutional or nonprofit contexts)

Full scholarship Executive Advisory Sessions (very limited; availability varies by cycle and funding)

Subsidized or scholarship-supported access to convenings workshops or events (including webinars in-person gatherings or partner-hosted programs that may otherwise carry a cost)

Partner-supported or invitation-only opportunities we may be able to share on a case-by-case basis

I am interested in supporting or expanding access and scholarship opportunities (for individuals or organizations exploring underwriting sponsorship or partnership to broaden access)

I’m not seeking access support at this time

Opportunities, Areas of Interest & Potential Collaboration*

Ollin EDU works with leaders, institutions, and partners across strategy, program design, and capacity-building efforts. To help us understand where support, collaboration, or future opportunities may be most relevant, please indicate any areas of interest below. This does not indicate commitment or obligation.

(Select as many as you like)

Cross-Sector Partnerships & Collaboration

Program or initiative design support

Operational Readiness Risk & Compliance

Non-Degree Lifelong Learning & University College Programs

Special Programs: International Education & Travel

Special Programs: Youth & Pre-college

Special Programs: Executive Education

Seasonal & Summer Initiatives

Workforce-Aligned & Employer-Connected Programs

Fractional Leadership or Time-Bound Project Leadership

Executive Advisory & Strategic Sensemaking

Enrollment Managment-Marketing-Outreach (training-advsiing-consulting)

AI Literacy & Institutional Readiness (training-advsiing-consulting)

Funding scholarships and or subsidizing campus-based initiatives

In-kind support of space-services-resources for campus-based initiatives

Other / Still Exploring

Submit

Membership Application