What Dismas Charities does

Dismas Charities, Inc. is a Louisville-headquartered, not-for-profit organization founded in 1964 by Father William Diersen to provide residential re-entry services to individuals released from incarceration. Operating one of the largest not-for-profit re-entry networks in the United States, the organization runs 40+ residential re-entry centers across 15 states (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia), operating under the 'Diersen Charities' brand in New Mexico and Tennessee.

The organization delivers a three-pillar service portfolio: Education Programs (GED preparation, religious studies, parenting, anger management, life skills), Employment Programs (workforce integration and job placement), and Family Reunification Programs (counseling, clothing, medical assistance). These are supported by proprietary resident accountability monitoring and integrated case management systems aligned with PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) compliance requirements. All 35+ facilities publish annual PREA audit reports.

Dismas earns revenue primarily through government contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and 15+ state Departments of Corrections to operate residential re-entry centers, supplemented by charitable donations and grants. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external equity ownership. Pricing is negotiated through government contracting processes and is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Dismas Charities

Legal name

Dismas Charities, Inc.

Website

https://dismas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Dismas Charities is a not-for-profit operating 40+ residential re-entry centers across 15 US states, contracted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and state Departments of Corrections to deliver housing, education, employment, and family reunification programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Reentry Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Residential reentry services
• Community corrections
• Offender reentry programs
• Correctional rehabilitation services
• Residential halfway houses

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices35 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Dismas generates revenue through contracts with federal agencies (Federal Bureau of Prisons) and state Departments of Corrections. These government contracts fund the operation of residential re-entry centers that provide services to individuals released from incarceration.
2. Donations and Grants: As a not-for-profit organization, Dismas receives charitable donations and grants to support program operations and community initiatives beyond what government contracts cover.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dismas Charities operates a national network of more than 40 residential re-entry centers that house, supervise, and rehabilitate individuals released from federal and state incarceration. Its services are organized around three program pillars—education (GED, vocational, life skills), employment (job readiness and placement), and family reunification (counseling and support)—delivered on-site at each center and funded primarily through contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and state Departments of Corrections.

Product overview

Dismas Charities operates as a not-for-profit provider of residential re-entry services in the United States. The organization offers a unified portfolio of services organized around three core program areas: Education Programs (including GED preparation, vocational training, and life skills), Employment Programs (workforce integration and job placement support), and Family Reunification Programs (family counseling and support services). These programs are delivered through a network of residential re-entry centers across multiple states and are supported by proprietary technology systems including resident accountability monitoring and case management systems. In New Mexico and Tennessee, the organization operates under the Diersen Charities brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Re-Entry Centers

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces recidivism through evidence-based practices and validated risk/needs/strengths assessments

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Clay County Health DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClay County Health Department's Harm Reduction Manager Elizabeth Boggs led Naloxone training sessions for Dismas Manchester clients and staff during Overdose Awareness Month. Participants received free Narcan and training certificates.
• Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDismas Fayetteville clients attended a job fair at Fayetteville Technical Community College, gaining direct access to employers, educational institutions, and community resources designed to enhance employment readiness.
• Engelhard Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Engelhard Elementary School in Louisville for community outreach, including donations of school supplies, backpacks, and support for the Annual Bicycle Christmas Drawing.
• East Atlanta Kids ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDismas Atlanta and its clients participated in the East Atlanta Kids Club's Annual Brownwood Bike Rally. Dismas values this partnership for providing safe haven for children and community engagement opportunities.
• Bunk 57 MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDismas Charlotte clients attended Bunk 57 Ministries' 'From Setback to Comeback' Fundraiser Gala. The ministry's mission focuses on diverting people from the school-to-prison pipeline and supporting successful reentry through faith-based practices and education.
• Veterans Organizations (Dania Beach)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDania Beach staff participated in the Dania Beach Annual Veterans Overdose Awareness Day Walk and Community Resource Fair, collaborating with various organizations providing housing, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment for veterans.
• Knights of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Knights of Columbus provided foundational support for Dismas, with five Louisville Councils helping Father William Diersen open the first 15-bed re-entry facility in 1964.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CoreCivic: Major for-profit correctional and residential reentry services operator competing for federal and state residential reentry contracts. Operates community corrections and reentry facilities across multiple states overlapping with Dismas's geographic footprint.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit operating workforce development and reentry-focused programs for justice-involved individuals across the U.S. Comparable employment and training services for reentry populations with multi-state coverage.
• GEO Group: Largest for-profit provider of residential reentry, community-based reentry, and correctional services in the U.S. with a major Federal Bureau of Prisons contract portfolio. Direct competitor for residential reentry bed contracts across multiple states where Dismas operates.

Direct peers

• Community Resources for Justice (CRJ): Boston-based nonprofit providing residential reentry, alternative sentencing, and behavioral health services. CRJ is where former Dismas CEO Ellen Donnarumma served 17 years in executive leadership running the Reentry Services Division of 300+ employees.
• Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit providing residential reentry, workforce development, housing, and behavioral health services across multiple states. Direct competitor for state reentry and corrections contracts and a comparable mission-driven delivery model.

Emerging players

• The Fortune Society: New York-based nonprofit providing comprehensive reentry services including residential programs, education, employment, and alternatives to incarceration. Comparable mission-driven reentry model serving justice-involved populations.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit providing employment-focused reentry services for people returning from incarceration. Comparable targeted reentry mission with workforce integration emphasis, complementing Dismas's employment programming.
• Homeboy Industries: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing wraparound reentry services including employment, education, mental health, and substance abuse support. Comparable mission-driven, holistic reentry model for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Others

• Center for Community Alternatives: New York-based nonprofit providing alternatives to incarceration and reentry support services. Adjacent mission in the same justice-involved population with comparable case management and accountability-focused programmatic approach.

Regional players

• Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR): Virginia-based nonprofit providing community reentry, supervision, and employment services for justice-involved individuals. Comparable reentry service model at smaller regional scale serving a similar justice-involved population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dismaslovemail
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dismas-charities-macon

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dismas Charities