Project Summary

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MDLCV)) is  seeking proposals for professional services to develop and deploy communications tools and strategic communications campaigns  to create a focused and politically savvy  response to Maryland’s Climate Plan. 

About the Organization

Maryland LCV (MDLCV) was created in 1979 as a non-partisan, 501(c)(4). Known as the political voice for the environment, we work with elected leaders to pass strong conservation legislation, while holding them accountable to voters through our yearly environmental scorecard which evaluates the environmental votes of individual state legislators. Through education and advocacy, we build relationships with public officials from across the state to put Maryland at the forefront of national environmental policy. 

Today, we are a full-time, staffed organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Our 40 years of work have increased the overall power of Maryland’s environmental community. 

Project Context

Maryland, recognized as a national climate leader, boasts the most ambitious short term greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal in the country: 60% emissions reductions by 2031. The Climate Solutions Now Act passed in 2022 requires the state to finalize a plan to meet these emissions reductions by December 31, 2023. It is critical for the state to commit to a strong plan, including the funding to fully and equitably implement it. 

As part of the process to finalize its climate plan, the Maryland Department of the Environment collaborated with the University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability to release Maryland’s Climate Pathway,  a report modeling sector-specific policies that would enable the state to reach its emissions reductions goals. The report concluded that it would take an “all of society” approach. 

Maryland LCV provided public comment on the Pathway Report, and our efforts focus on the comprehensive and equitable implementation of these policies, among others. As we approach the deadline for the state’s climate plan, we must develop a strategic communications and outreach plan to engage a diverse set of stakeholders to urge the Administration  in releasing the strongest and most comprehensively funded plan possible. This is the way for Maryland to remain a climate leader.

The selected service provider of this project will work closely with the Maryland LCV team to develop and deploy communications tools and messaging to build public support for the necessary actions for Maryland to meet these ambitious targets.  Employing  political skills in the development of these tools is a key aspect of the work. 

Scope of Services

• Message development
• Web content, including action alerts
• Creation of unique imagery
• Development of strategic social media plans
• Planning and securing earned media
• Management of paid media
• Support for a legislative session opening day event in Annapolis

Timeline

This work would start as early as November 27, 2023 and must be completed by January 31, 2024.

Budget

We have allocated up to $35,000 for this project, inclusive of the placement and running of ads through the duration of this campaign. 

Submission and Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be evaluated for responsiveness to the organizations’ goals, demonstrated experience in similar work, and responsiveness to the stated budget and rapid deployment timeline.