Request for Proposals (RFP)

Independent Financial Audit Services

Issued by: MoCo Pride Center, Inc. (operating publicly as The Montgomery County Pride Family)
Primary Contact: Phillip Alexander Downie, CEO (he/him)

Secondary Contact: Matt Huffner, Treasurer
Email: ceo@mocopridecenter.org | Matt@mocopridecenter.org

1. Organizational Overview

MoCo Pride Center, Inc. is a Maryland nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) public charity operating as The Montgomery County Pride Family, a consortium of LGBTQIA+ service, advocacy, arts, and culture organizations serving Montgomery County, Maryland. The organization operates the Montgomery County Pride Family Resource Center (MoCo Pride Center), the first physical Pride Center in the county, which provides year‑round, affirming, and inclusive services to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other marginalized and disenfranchised individuals and allies.

MoCo Pride Center, Inc. serves as the umbrella and fiscal sponsor for multiple affiliated programs and organizations, including but not limited to Live In Your Truth, Trans Maryland, MoCo Pride Prom, and Drag Story Hour DC MD VA. The organization manages public funding, private grants, sponsorships, and community donations, and maintains formal reporting obligations to Montgomery County and other funders.

2. Purpose of This RFP

MoCo Pride Center, Inc. is seeking proposals from qualified, independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms to conduct a financial audit of the organization in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS). This audit is required to support compliance with government contracts, grant requirements, board governance, and best practices for nonprofit financial transparency and accountability.

The selected firm will provide an objective audit that reflects the organization’s scale, complexity, fiscal sponsorship structure, and rapid growth.

A multi-year engagement may be considered based on performance and cost.

3. Scope of Services

The selected auditing firm will be responsible for the following:

A. Financial Audit

  • Conduct a full financial audit of MoCo Pride Center, Inc. in accordance with GAAS and applicable federal and Maryland nonprofit regulations.

  • Issue audited financial statements, including:

    • Statement of Financial Position

    • Statement of Activities

    • Statement of Functional Expenses

    • Statement of Cash Flows

    • Notes to the Financial Statements

    • Financial Audit and 990 preparation

B. Fiscal Sponsorship Review

  • Review accounting treatment and internal controls related to fiscally sponsored programs and projects.

  • Ensure appropriate segregation, reporting, and compliance consistent with fiscal sponsorship best practices.

C. Internal Controls & Compliance

  • Assess internal financial controls and compliance with applicable funding requirements, including Montgomery County contracts.

  • Provide a management letter identifying any findings, risks, or recommendations for improvement.

D. Board & Leadership Presentation

  • Present audit results to the Board of Directors and executive leadership, as requested.

  • Be available to answer questions from leadership, the Board, and funders.

4. Organizational & Financial Context

  • Legal Entity: MoCo Pride Center, Inc.

  • Operating Name: The Montgomery County Pride Family

  • Location: Montgomery County, Maryland

  • Fiscal Year: January 1-December 31st

  • Accounting Method: Accrual

  • Annual Operating Budget: $1,034,591.81

  • Funding Sources:

    • Montgomery County government contracts

    • Private foundations and grants

    • Corporate sponsorships

    • Individual donations and fundraising events

The organization is experiencing continued programmatic expansion, staffing growth, and increased public funding.

5. Deliverables

The selected firm will provide:

  • Audited financial statements are suitable for funders, government agencies, and public disclosure

  • Management letter with findings and recommendations

  • Electronic copies of all final reports (PDF)

  • Participation in at least one presentation to the Board of Directors

  • Preparation of the organization’s annual Form 990.

6. Timeline 

Milestone -Target Date

RFP Issued -February 13, 2026

Questions Due -February 27, 2026

Proposals Due-March 14 , 2026

Firm Selected- March 21, 2026

Fieldwork Begins- May–June 2026

Draft Audit Delivered-September 15, 2026

990 draft - October 15,  2026

Final Filing - November 15, 2026

Final Audit Delivered

Upon Board Approval

7. Proposal Requirements

Interested firms should submit a proposal that includes:

  1. Firm Overview

    • Firm history, size, and office location(s)

    • Description of nonprofit audit experience

  2. Relevant Experience

    • Experience auditing nonprofit organizations of similar size and complexity

    • Experience with fiscal sponsorship models

    • Experience with government‑funded nonprofits, particularly Maryland or local government contracts

  3. Engagement Team

    • Names, titles, and qualifications of staff assigned to the audit

    • Description of partner involvement

  4. Audit Approach & Methodology

    • Proposed audit plan and timeline

    • Description of risk assessment and internal control review process

  5. Deliverables & Communication

    • Description of deliverables

    • Communication plan with staff and leadership

  6. Fees

    • Proposed fee structure (flat fee preferred).  Please include any planned differences between the first-year and subsequent-year audits.

    • Description of any additional or optional costs

    • Provide separate costs for the audit and the Form 990. 

  7. References

    • At least three nonprofit audit references

8. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Demonstrated nonprofit audit expertise

  • Experience with fiscal sponsorship and public funding

  • Quality and clarity of proposed approach

  • Qualifications of engagement team

  • Cost effectiveness and transparency

  • Cultural competency and alignment with organizational values

9. Submission Instructions

Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format to:

Email: ceo@mocopridecenter.org , operations@mocopridecenter.org
Subject Line: RFP – Independent Financial Audit Services

Late submissions may not be considered.

10. Additional Information

MoCo Pride Center, Inc. reserves the right to:

  • Reject any or all proposals

  • Request additional information or interviews

  • Negotiate scope and pricing with the selected firm

This RFP does not obligate MoCo Pride Center, Inc. to select or contract with any respondent.