About Relief Communications
Now celebrating 24 years, Relief Communications, LLC was founded in 2001 to provide comprehensive communications services to the non-profit sector. Relief Communications provides a broad range of capabilities tailored to meet specific client needs in media relations, media training, or communications planning. Cari Feiler Bender, President and Founder of Relief Communications, LLC, applies nearly 30 years of experience in conceptualizing, managing, and implementing communications projects for non-profit organizations. A few examples:
- Directing all public relations efforts to launch Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s tourism initiative, Once Upon A Nation, which debuted Summer 2005 in Philadelphia’s historic district, continued with the opening (and ongoing operation) of Franklin Square in July 2006, with seasonal celebrations including the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival and Electrical Spectacle Light Show.
- Leading media outreach and communications strategies for current clients such as:
- Fairmount Park Conservancy whose projects include creating and implementing a comprehensive Park Plan for FDR Park, capital and program support in East and West Fairmount Park, Parkside Edge, Centennial Commons, and various programs to support and sustain all of Philadelphia’s parks;
- Prevention Point Philadelphia, a public health and social services organization working at the intersection of drug use and poverty, which is the largest harm reduction operation in the country; and
- Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, which preserves affordable homeownership and revitalizes neighborhoods using volunteer resources.
- Creating strategic communications plans and media trainings for a variety of organizations such as The Barnes Foundation and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
- Coordinating development and implementation of all communications strategies for AIDS Fund for 20 years from 2004-2024, including promotion of Black-Tie GayBINGO and AIDS Walk Philly.
- Conducting all media relations and public relations initiatives for the renowned Mural Arts Philadelphia for 15 years from 2006-2021, including participation in several projects related to the Democratic National Convention in 2016, the visit of Pope Francis in 2015, and the Royal Visit of Prince Charles and Camilla in 2007. During that time, Mural Arts was featured in numerous national and international outlets, including CBS Sunday Morning, TIME Magazine, CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, New York Times, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, PBS NewsHour, Condé Nast Traveller, CNBC’s Squawk Box, National Public Radio, and Reuters News Service.
Through her work with numerous not-for-profits as staff, volunteer, and consultant, Cari has a unique perspective on their needs. In December 2017, Cari gave a TEDx talk, How to Make Your Story THE BIG STORY. In 2020, the Philadelphia Public Relations Association selected her for their prestigious Hall of Fame, and she was formally inducted in 2021. She currently sits on the Boards of Directors for Old City District and the Ministry of Awe and is involved on several committees in Philadelphia’s Historic District to plan for 2026 celebrations. In 2017, she received the “40 in 40” Award from WOMEN’S WAY. She has co-chaired several special event committees for The Wardrobe (formerly The Career Wardrobe) and now sits on its Advisory Board. Past non-profit board experience includes InterAct Theatre Company where she was a longtime member and chaired the Board of Directors for two years. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Cari holds a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Old City Philadelphia with her husband and two children.