Doula and care coordination services request for proposals

The City is now accepting proposals for community-centered doula and care coordination services.

Overview

In this section

Goals

  • Help local organizations build capacity to support more healthy pregnancies and births
  • Improve maternal and infant health outcomes
  • Close gaps in birth outcomes across communities
  • Bring doula care and coordination services to communities who struggle to access them
  • Foster trust, connection, and collective healing
  • Provide culturally specific care
  • Promote equitable, respectful and responsive care practices
  • Support community-led, non-clinical approaches to care before, during and after childbirth

Community-centered doulas help connect families to care 

We believe that doulas are and should function as:

  • Central members of each client's support network
  • Culturally specific care providers
  • Trusted navigators, who connect birthing people to a wide range of services such as healthcare providers, home visitors and community organizations

Culturally specific care 

Culturally specific services offer cultural communities quality care that is:

  • Trauma-informed
  • Respectful
  • Understandable
  • Effective
  • Equitable
  • Responsive

Deadline

Application deadline

September 21, 2026

Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.

Procurement staff recommend that you try to log in to the eSupplier portal at least two hours in advance of the deadline. They suggest this so that they can help if you have any issues submitting your proposal.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

We are especially interested in proposals from applicants who have strong community relationships and a demonstrated commitment to equity.

Read the bid package attachment "Request for Proposals" to see all eligibility criteria. 

yes501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, LLCs, or for-profit organizations that meet the criteria in the bid package are eligible to receive funding from this RFP. 

Local, regional, or state government entities are not eligible to receive funding from this RFP.

 

Eligible programs

We expect programs funded by this RFP to provide both doula services and care coordination.

We expect programs to link clients to: 

  • Prenatal medical care and specialist referrals
  • Mental health support
  • Substance use support
  • Basic needs resources (housing, food, transportation, utility assistance)
  • Home visiting programs
  • Parenting and infant care education
  • Postpartum health services
  • Legal and advocacy resources where applicable

Background

Funding source

This RFP is funded through the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) manages this grant and issues funds to the Minneapolis Health Department. 

Related resources

Apply to the RFP

Read the RFP

You can find all current City bidding opportunities on the eSupplier dashboard.

View the bid package details for complete:

  • eSupplier application instructions 
  • Application questions
  • Budget requirements
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Project requirements
  • Required forms
  • Addendum documents

View a list of City RFPs in eSupplier

Instructions to apply

  • Select the event named 'RFP_HLTH_Health for Birth Justice & Comm. Doula Sv'. The event ID is 4264.
  • Select 'View Bid Package' to see the event's attachments.
  • Review and download the bid package attachments.
  • You must submit all application materials together as one PDF.
  • See the steps to submit a bid