Non-Profit Marketing and Communications

2008–Present

Dear Feed My Starving Children,

I am writing to express my interest in the Vice President of Marketing and Communications position at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). With a proven track record as a Senior Marketing Officer and a dedicated commitment to empowering vulnerable people, I am eager to contribute my skills, experience, and passion to FMSC’s mission.

As a Senior Marketing Officer, I have honed my expertise in developing and implementing diverse marketing strategies that have consistently enhanced brand awareness, donor engagement, and increased fundraising. Your emphasis on these areas and amplifying visibility aligns seamlessly with my extensive background.

In my current role, I am at the helm of strategizing and optimizing donor engagement initiatives, culminating in a 35% increase in donor retention and a 20% surge in new donor acquisitions. By leveraging data and modern marketing tools, I identify gaps and fine-tune campaigns to maximize impact across diverse audience groups.

However, my passion for marketing transcends metrics. I believe marketing, when done with purpose and authenticity, can catalyze profound social change. FMSC’s heart for ending hunger in Jesus’s name is a cause I wholeheartedly resonate with, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to such a noble endeavor.

Joining you in this capacity would not only be a professional alignment but also a significant personal fulfillment. My unique blend of skills, experience, and passion will allow us to make a significant impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Eric C. Smith, MPA

Videos and Stories

Charity Golf Tournament

One incredible day, $1,250,000 raised. Our golf charity tournament at Chicago’s prestigious Butterfield Country Club is changing lives, providing hope, and transforming our community. Imagine the impact of families supported, opportunities created, and futures restored.

 

Women Helping Women

This powerful recap captures heartfelt moments from our gathering—exclusive raffle prizes, delicious appetizers, and an unforgettable keynote speaker, Demi Tebow, sharing her journey of finding hope.

 

Amy’s Story

Discover the inspiring journey of Dr. Amy Halder, a first-generation graduate and non-native English speaker who overcame incredible odds to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. Moving to Chicago from Bangladesh at just 11, her path was transformed by the mentorship of the Outreach Carol Stream team. Now a resident physician, her story is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of Outreach's after-school programs and mentorship.

 

Dan’s Story

Dan touched my heart the minute he stepped on set. His story, captured in a simple video, is a timely reminder that the act of thoughtfully giving can make a large impact. Recognized in the 2021 Telly Awards as a Gold Winner for Non-Profit Video, we continue to see Dan’s impact on the community, through his bike and his story.

 

Mateo’s Story

A young man whose journey from Colombia to Carol Stream at age 8 reshaped his future, Mateo's story is one of transformation and triumph. Growing up in a missionary family, his mother turned to Outreach for support. With guidance from staff and the mentorship of an Outreach volunteer, Mateo thrived—mastering English, excelling academically, and earning a scholarship to a private school before being accepted to Yale University. Now giving back as a volunteer, Mateo's story showcases the life-changing power of Outreach.

 

Appeal Videos

Experience the impact of your generosity through the voices of Outreach’s clients and participants. Hear their powerful stories of transformation—how your support has helped them imagine new possibilities, gain independence, and build brighter futures.

 

Public Relations

May 24, 2022

Outreach is in Transition with Leadership, Name Change, New Resale Store

June 15, 2021

FVSRA Participant Overcomes Challenges and Wins Award

May 13, 2021

Community Partnerships Expand FVSRA’s Impact

May 11, 2021

FVSRA Bridges its Rich History to a Strategic Vision with Rebranding

May 8, 2021

FVSRA Creates Unique Collaborations to Empower People with Special Needs

Posts and Reels

Digital and Print Design

2024 Annual Report

Collected and organized detailed reports, financials, stories, and other operational activities to share with stakeholders. Transitioned from a cumbersome booklet to a one-page site with interactive animations and video backgrounds to improve a formerly text-heavy experience.

Campaign Art

Art direction for 50th Anniversary event featuring cohesive design between two main audience segments requiring different messages and call-to-actions for the internal donor community and the general public. Sold 3,000 tickets through an integrated approach using social media, radio, and cultivating critical partnerships in the community.

Rebrand

Designed and launched a full rebrand including corporate stationary, outreach equipment and materials, tenant panels, facility signage in seven communities and more. Currently concepting digital properties in coordination with annual marketing strategy development.

Responsive HTML Email

Hand-coded HTML/CSS email geared towards cultivating relationships and simplicity. Improved open rates to ~35%, easily customizable to department, and use of alt tags for accessibility. Coded for Mailchimp’s content editor.

Fundraising Collateral

Reimagined tools with refreshed layouts and cleaner aesthetic featuring rich imagery.

Central Identity

Created annual themes “Imagine If," “Celebrating Hope,” and “Together Toward Tomorrow.” Applied to all marketing materials and messages at fundraising campaigns, events, and year-end strategy.

Strategic Vision Planning

Expanding hope locally, partnering nationally, and mobilizes churches to ensures sustainability.