Nonprofits often face the challenge of effectively sharing their stories and connecting with audiences on limited resources. In this interactive session, local communicators and organizational leaders will explore how to:
- Develop strategic, mission-focused marketing plans
- Leverage cost-effective tools and platforms for compelling storytelling
- Implement project management techniques to streamline communications
By learning from Brian Cook and Marshall V. King, participants will discover practical ways to maximize outreach that resonates with donors, volunteers, and the broader community.
Space may be limited; please register in advance to secure your seat. Please limit participation to two people per nonprofit organization serving Elkhart County.
The Learning Center of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County offers free training for those working with Elkhart County nonprofits or nonprofits serving Elkhart County.
About our speakers:
Brian Cook is chief marketing and communications officer at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. In his role, Brian oversees brand positioning, marketing and communications strategies, and event management, ensuring that the Foundation effectively communicates and represents its mission and values to its constituents. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in visual communications, marketing and advertising from Ferris State University. He has worked at the University of Notre Dame, including as director of marketing for the Mendoza College of Business from 2017 to 2019. In addition to other roles at Mendoza, he has worked as a creative director and marketing manager in a range of business and advertising agency settings in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. Brian is also part of the American Marketing Association – Michiana. He and his wife, Traci, a teacher at Concord West Side Elementary, have three adult children.
Marshall V. King is the director of communications at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, where he studied English with a minor in journalism. He is currently a student in the Collaborative MBA through Goshen College. Marshall spent more than 20 years as a reporter, editor, and columnist with The Elkhart Truth and has been a freelance writer, photographer, and journalist since 2016. A food writer for over two decades, Marshall authored Disarmed: The Radical Life & Legacy of Michael “MJ” Sharp, published in 2022. He also serves as an adjunct professor of communication at Goshen College. Beyond his professional work, Marshall he has raised more than $150,000 for local nonprofits as a celebrity chef. Marshall is married and lives in Goshen, where he enjoys cooking, baking, and playing disc golf in his free time.