CRM Solutions Architect & Implementation Partner

Magic Cabinet is a private foundation dedicated to shifting philanthropy by centering community. To align our operational backbone with this mission, we are in a critical shift to bring relationship data across various platforms into a unified Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The goal is to ensure that relationship coordination - among grantees, funder partner clients, community members, and more - serves as the engine for data-driven strategy.

We are looking for a CRM Solutions Architect & Implementation Partner to intentionally establish a unified CRM architecture and robust data practices that adhere to Magic Cabinet’s jobs-to-be-done (JTBDs) and data sovereignty framework.*

This consulting engagement is distinguished by two sequential phases:

1. Through December 2026 - Consultant leads requirements validation, data audit and inventory, software vetting and selection, data architecture & preparation, and initiating data migration.
2. In 2027 - Consultant continues and completes data migration, conducts testing and validation, launches system to go-live, in addition to leading post-launch onboarding, standard operating procedure refinement, and workflow maturation into 2027.

Magic Cabinet has allocated up to $250,000 in funding for this project. This amount will cover all deliverables of the project, including data auditing and technical documentation, vetting and evaluation of CRM software, costs of CRM acquisition and licensing for 2026, technical configuration of the CRM software, deployment documentation and staff onboarding, and all other associated documentation.

Magic Cabinet welcomes proposals that accurately reflect the scope, level of expertise, approach, timeline, and resources required to successfully complete the work. Respondents should submit a proposal with a detailed budget accompanied by clear descriptions and rationale for proposed costs, deliverables, and timeline.

The ideal start date is September 1, 2026 but we welcome proposals that outline a feasible timeline to achieve Phase 1 activities. While we offer flexibility around the start date, please clearly articulate how your project plan will ensure we hit this firm year-end data migration deadline.

We are seeking a consultant or consulting firm with a proven capacity for intentional CRM projects such as this. The ideal candidate will possess:

• 5+ years of experience in applied CRM technical architecture and system implementation for government, non-profit, or foundation environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in human-centered design concepts and user research.
• A software-agnostic approach with the ability to objectively evaluate and implement various platforms based on JTBDs and organizational needs.
• Deep understanding of system migration complexities and the governance required for high data-privacy and data sovereignty constraints.
• Strong change management and project management skills focused on habituation and long-term staff uptake.
• Proven experience managing sub-contractors/vendors to deliver cohesive project outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience working with or within communities that are underrepresented in philanthropy, including organizations led by and accountable to communities of color, immigrant communities, or low-income communities. This includes understanding the data privacy concerns, trust dynamics, and power considerations specific to these contexts., * Experience with nonprofits, foundations, or small mission-driven organizations
• Availability and ability to support a 2027 go-live
• Your team’s lived or professional experience navigating data trust and privacy concerns with communities that have reason to be skeptical of data collection, and how that informs your approach to data sovereignty and system design