About Relief Communications

Cari Feiler Bender

Now celebrating 22 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 over 25 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.
  • Coordinating development and implementation of all communications strategies for AIDS Fund since 2004, including promotion of Black-Tie GayBINGO and AIDS Walk Philly.
  • 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.
  • Conducting all media relations and public relations initiatives for the renowned Mural Arts Philadelphia for 15 years from 2006-20021, 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. Since 2006, Mural Arts has been 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. Recently, she served as a Peer Panelist for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. In 2017, she received the “40 in 40” Award from WOMEN’S WAY. She has co-chaired several special event committees for The Career Wardrobe and now sits on its Advisory Board. She also lectures to communications students periodically at colleges and universities. Cari holds a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. A native of Savannah, Georgia, she lives in Old City Philadelphia with her husband and two children.    

Clients in the News...

CBS Sunday Morning features Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Four years in the making, CBS Sunday Morning’s celebration of the Lunar New Year featured the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.

FDR Park’s Anna C. Verna Playground Features Risky Play

Philadelphia Inquirer features Anna C. Verna Playground risky play.

Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row Gets a Glow-Up

Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row is getting a glow-up from Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. A public Boathouse Row Official Relighting Ceremony will take place on March 7, 2024.

Fairmount Park Conservancy Opens Historic Trolley Trail

Fairmount Park Conservancy cuts the ribbon on the historic Trolley Trail through Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer went out on the trail with reporter Frank Kummer and photographer Jessica Griffin to capture the story on a beautiful fall day. 

NBC National News Features Sublocade Program at Prevention Point Philadelphia

Prevention Point Philadelphia staff have encouraged their participants with opioid use disorder to receive once-a-month injections called Sublocade. The treatments are having a profound effect on many lives, including Kali, featured in this beautiful story from NBC News. 

Drag Queen Stella D’Oro featured in Philadelphia Inquirer

AIDS Fund’s GayBINGO with drag queen Stella D’Oro highlighted in the Philadelphia Inquirer

New York Times Sunday Front Page highlights Xylazine and Prevention Point Philadelphia

The New York Times spent time with Prevention Point Philadelphia to learn all about a veterinary tranquilizer called xylazine infiltrating the street drug supply.

Prevention Point Philadelphia Announces End of Year Data for WHYY

Prevention Point Philadelphia said it collected more used syringes than clean ones distributed in the past 12 months, highlighting the increasing drug consumption following the pandemic.

FDR Park Plan received endorsement of Philadelphia Inquirer’s Editorial Board

“The redesign of FDR Park is the kind of planning Philly should get behind” from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Editorial Board.

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square is a photographer’s dream

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Chip Fox captured gorgeous images of the 2023 Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.

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