Esther Chase

View a list of skills and experience, marketing samples, and training.

Founder & Web Designer

Chase Digital Solutions | Self-Employed
Mar 2015 – Present

Simplicity is the key to great design. Whether it’s your brand, your website, or the way you structure your workflow, we can make it a great experience. Chase Digital Solutions provides online marketing services to artists, freelancers, startups, and nonprofits using the latest technology for the best return on investment. We want to help you establish a confident, strategic, and purpose-driven online presence that turns heads for the right reasons.

• Brand creation and development
• Mobile-friendly web design
• Storytelling and portrait photography
• Email and social media marketing
• Digital and print advertising
• Style management facilitation
• Expert web content writing
• Effective search engine optimization
• Nonprofit capacity building

Marketing Consultant

Literacy Volunteers of Illinois | Freelance
Oct 2025 – Apr 2026

Since 1979, LVI has been dedicated to volunteer literacy programs statewide, empowering adults and out-of-school teens to enhance their literacy skills.

• Partnered with LVI after a leadership transition
• Designed a new organizational website
• Supported the return of the On the Road to Literacy Conference
• Led event marketing strategy for the 32nd annual conference
• Designed the event website, email campaigns, and social media
• Promoted event speakers and workshop presenters on socials
• Developed a digital-first event system
• Designed print materials for the on-site experience
• Attended the conference as event photographer
• Event Photo Gallery
• Case Study

Communications Manager

UU Santa Monica is a welcoming congregation, a green sanctuary, and a designated peace site. Founded in 1927, we are a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Jun 2022 – Sep 2025 • Remote, part-time

• Navigated competing digital communications priorities
• Designed and sent weekly announcements email campaign
• Maintained 3 email lists/audiences in Mailchimp
• Managed internal reservations and public website calendars
• Monitored and contributed to Slack for digital worship planning
• Prepared weekly online worship content, livestreams, archives
• Published weekly events and monthly worship content
• Developed annual interfaith social media content calendar
• Emailed and greeted guest speakers
• Secured permission to post guest speaker sermons
• Posted social media content, updated static webpage content

Finance Assistant & Office Support

Jan 2023 – Dec 2024 • In-person, part-time

• Designed the new online giving page
• Migrated events and rentals calendars to Google
• Recorded accounts receivable, i.e. contributions, rental payments
• Updated donor database and published member directory
• Generated fund reports, provide tax statements
• Prepared weekly deposits and managed petty cash
• Assisted church administrator and volunteer committees
• Served as front office receptionist, greeter, rentals organizer
• Proofread, printed, and posted weekly worship Order of Service
• Collaborated with a member/donor to care for sanctuary plants
• Trained successor in-person/online before return to remote work

WordPress.com Expert

Directly | Freelance
Mar 2017 – Aug 2022

• Provided real-time customer support via chat
• Developed custom reusable answer templates to streamline support
• Assisted customers in identifying their website hosting provider
• Guided users through password reset and account access issues
• Supported users with the new block editor and theme customization
• Directed customers to plugin developers for third-party support
• Troubleshot Jetpack-related issues and offer resolution steps
• Advised users on selecting WordPress.com hosting plans
• Explained key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
• Attended training and webinars with fellow support specialists

Board President

Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County
2013 – 2019 | Forest Park & LaGrange, IL

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency in 1987, Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County provides free literacy education to adults through a network of trained volunteers in suburban Cook County and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago.

• Approved decisions, commitments, and plans
• Formulated, reviewed, and approved organizational budgets
• Evaluated progress toward financial and program goals
• Performed and taught secretarial and treasurer duties

• Designed and implemented an intentional fundraising plan
• Used our Bloomerang platform to understand trends
• Obtained operational and program grants
• Raised at least $10,000 in unrestricted revenue each year
• Cultivated donor relationships to retain and grow gifts
• Facilitated board involvement in relationship building
• From 2013-2017, raised $348,543, as follows:
• $178,815 in contributions, $169,728 in volunteer hours

• Embraced change and grew a sense of urgency
• Managed a $30,000 annual adult literacy program
• Managed 3 micro-time employees and 30+ volunteers
• Continuously monitored and pruned administrative costs
• Used volunteer resources to develop new initiatives
• Fostered partnerships with local libraries
• Implemented a cloud-based office and 3 co-working spaces

• Created and disseminated an organizational e-newsletter
• Planned and scheduled promotional social media messages
• Managed digital communications systems
• Built and managed the LVWCC website

Development Director

Ephrata Public Library
2018 | Ephrata, PA

The Ephrata Public Library is a physical and virtual community center with a mission to provide resources and promote opportunities for everyone seeking to improve, change, enrich, and enjoy their lives. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Library offers free access to information reflecting differing viewpoints in order to support an open and democratic society.

• Developed awareness of the Library’s mission
• Promoted its value as a social change-agent
• Sustained partnerships within the community
• Developed and implemented an annual fundraising plan
• Researched grants and wrote an organizational case for support
• Secured ongoing financial support
• Oversaw a multi-phase capital improvement project
• Oversaw the operation of a used bookstore
• Oversaw special events and ensured promotional reach
• Collaborated with local nonprofits to share events
• Managed a full-time development coordinator
• Managed a part-time custodian

Marketing & Development Director

Pav YMCA
2015 – 2017 | Berwyn, IL

Formed in 1970, the Pav YMCA is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes, and abilities.

As Director of Marketing, I actively promoted YMCA membership and programs, led member recruitment, supported member retention, led strategic marketing campaigns, implemented The Y™ brand, and employed the For a better us.™ nationwide campaign.

As Director of Financial Development, I produced engaging fundraising campaigns with a focus on annual fund strategy. Between both roles, I managed a $50,000 annual budget.

FY18 Accomplishments:
• Secured a $100,000 grant for operations and capital
• Assisted in the stewardship of a $15,000 major gift
• Supported a team to improve fundraising results over 3 event cycles

FY17 Marketing Accomplishments:
• Implemented a digital promotion monitor in our lobby
• Implemented a new brand-aligning website
• Created a donor portal via Classy at donate.pavymca.org
• Created an events blog at events.pavymca.org
• Passed the 2016 Y-USA brand re-certification
• Worked with Finance Director to save $30,000/yr. on printing
• Revamped the department budget

FY17 Development Accomplishments:
• Secured a $10,000 marketing grant
• Secured a $3,000 grant from Y-USA for swim lessons
• Reinstated $2,000 in annual local foundation funding
• Created a “Where the Money Goes” info-graphic
• Implemented a peer-to-peer and crowdfunding platform