The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has thrown open the doors for agencies adept in the arts of marketing and outreach. They seek to hire such agencies to support the county's fresh initiative aimed at promoting the concept of employee and worker ownership—right here in the sprawling expanse of LA County. In a move that evokes the Department's forward-thinking initiative, applications are called for to be submitted by January 30th, 2026, at 12 PM PT, as per an announcement made by DEO.
Diving into the details of this initiative, DEO is tossing up to $400,000 into the ring, backing an inclusive economic strategy. Holly J. Mitchell and Lindsey P. Horvath, members of the LA County Board of Supervisors, introduced the motion in September 2023, leading to the creation of the Employee and Worker Ownership Initiative (EWOI). To foster business resilience, improve job quality, and construct avenues for wealth-building—particularly in communities that history hasn't favored—DEO is on the hunt for a partner to lay the groundwork for public understanding of shared ownership models.
The partner that emerges victorious in this process will spearhead a marketing and outreach blitz across the county, targeting businesses big and small, workers, and sundry stakeholders. The selected entity will, as outlined in the RFP, serve up strategies for outreach and marketing, concoct messaging and creative content, bridge language divides with multilingual communications, and execute informational events. Furthermore, they will lace up their boots for some grassroots outreach, syncing with DEO's ambitions to expand program participation, transition graduates into these business models, and catalyze economic mobility in the region, according to the DEO press release.
To throw your hat into the ring, eligible entities must have at least a three-year track record within the past five developing campaigns akin in scope to the services desired by the DEO and must dish out services in English and Spanish, offering content tailored to the target audiences. Applications opened last Wednesday, the tail end of December 2025, and expectations are set for the RFP's next update—an Addendum with Q&A—to hit the streets by January 20th, 2026. The anticipated contract term is set to span March 2026 to June 2027.
The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity envisions an equitable economy, thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and an open door for opportunity and advancement for everyone. With its finger on the pulse through America's Job Centers of California, the Office of Small Business, and a plethora of programs and partners, DEO is plotting a course to create quality jobs, boost small businesses and high-road employers, and bring life to communities. Those who wish to swim in the DEO's current of services can follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or subscribe to their newsletter; or, for the analog at heart, acquaint themselves with opportunity.lacounty.gov for a closer look at what the DEO offers.
