St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) plays a vital role in increasing access to mental and behavioral health services for children and families throughout St. Louis County. Funded by a quarter-cent sales tax approved in 2008, CSF ensures that resources are directed toward an integrated system of care. Despite its essential mission, CSF needed a robust public relations framework to manage brand perception, crisis communications, and digital engagement. To meet this challenge, CSF partnered with Cork Tree Creative, leveraging our expertise in non-profit marketing, public relations, event management, and crisis management, delivering an integrated marketing approach to strengthen its presence and engagement in the community.
CSF faced challenges because it didn’t have a public relations plan, meaning its messages couldn’t be properly communicated. Additionally, its vast network of partners and community organizations was searching for more opportunities to connect. Without its own website, CSF lacked the user experience and search engine optimization to connect users with critical resources. To drive its mission forward, CSF needed a fully integrated marketing plan encompassing public relations, a crisis communications plan, event planning and promotion, and a functioning website aligned with its core messaging.
Our team implemented a comprehensive public relations and communications plan designed to unify CSF’s messaging across all platforms, enhancing its visibility and strengthening its reputation as a trusted resource for children’s mental and behavioral health organizations. We also crafted a crisis communications framework, enabling CSF to respond swiftly and consistently to sensitive situations. This plan ensures that all public-facing messaging remains cohesive during challenging times, preserving trust with stakeholders and the community.
Additionally, we launched a modern, SEO-optimized website, significantly improving search engine rankings and user engagement. Our team integrated user-friendly features, mobile responsiveness, and an easy-to-navigate structure to maximize accessibility for families and caregivers. Furthermore, we created a robust partner directory function, making mental health services accessible to those searching.
On the creative side, Cork Tree Creative provided a custom animated video explaining a governmental sales tax to fund children's mental and behavioral health programs and services. This marketing video became an essential asset in CSF’s digital strategy, effectively amplifying its message and fostering emotional connections with its audience.
Our non-profit event planning efforts focused on planning and promoting community events, coordinating media outreach, and promoting strategic events to increase visibility and attendance. We also managed press coverage, ensuring CSF’s contributions to the mental health sector received the recognition they deserved.
Our strategic non-profit public relations efforts improved CSF’s search engine visibility, driving more traffic to their website and expanding reach to key audiences. The optimized, mobile-friendly website attracted double the number of users, and its robust and neatly integrated map feature made it easier for families and partners to access mental and behavioral health resources. By improving content relevance and user experience, we saw a substantial increase in returning users, demonstrating stronger audience engagement.
Cork Tree Creative provided extensive media training to CSF staff, equipping them with key messages and communication tips to deliver consistent, on-brand messaging. The crisis communication plan we developed ensured CSF had the resources to navigate potential challenges, reinforcing its standing as a trustworthy community resource.
The suite of non-profit videos we produced—ranging from explainer videos to emotional testimonials—successfully positioned CSF as an authority in children’s mental health. These videos were used across multiple platforms, communicating CSF's efforts to the community in a transparent and creative way.
First Year Outcomes
800% Increase
in Keywords
200% Increase
in Website Users
145% Increase
in Returning Users
Do you need help building visibility in your community? Cork Tree Creative specializes in results-driven non-profit marketing strategies that elevate brand awareness, boost engagement, and improve confidence among stakeholders and donors. Our integrated approach to digital marketing and PR can turn your mission into a recognizable brand that inspires action.
1. Set Clear Marketing Objectives
Collaborate with our team to outline your non-profit’s marketing goals, whether it’s building awareness, securing funding, or enhancing stakeholder engagement.
2. Receive a Customized Non-Profit Marketing Audit
Our expert strategists will assess your current marketing approach, identifying gaps and opportunities for growth.
3. Achieve Measurable Marketing Results
Feel confident with a custom-tailored marketing strategy that aligns with your goals, industry standards, and community needs.
Marketing can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be when you have a reliable partner to help. Receive a free assessment to see how your marketing efforts stack up and how you can take your brand to the next level.
© 2024 Cork Tree Creative. All Rights Reserved. Design & Development by Cork Tree Creative.
