STARS Nashville
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersNashville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What STARS Nashville does
STARS Nashville is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and headquartered at 1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 200, Nashville, Tennessee. It delivers youth-focused prevention, intervention, and treatment services across Middle Tennessee, with over 87% of its work delivered through school-based channels and supplementary delivery through the juvenile justice system and community-based partnerships. The organization serves more than 100,000 youth and adults annually. Its service portfolio spans five core programs — Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Enhanced SAP (ESAP) for school-based counseling, Kids on the Block (KOB) for puppet-based bullying/disability awareness education, MOVE2STAND for youth empowerment conferences, and Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA) for intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment — along with a Training and Professional Development service line supporting schools, teachers, parents, and community organizations. A specialized service line addresses Deaf/Hard of Hearing students, and Nashville Thrives extends its work into broader community-level mental health and substance misuse prevention.
STARS' revenue model is a typical diversified nonprofit stack: grants and contracts from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee Department of Education, and Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth; donations and corporate sponsorships (including United Way chapters of Greater Nashville, Wilson County, South Central Tennessee, and Sumner County, plus Claritev as STARS Rising presenting sponsor and The Cigna Group Foundation); professional development/training fees; and signature fundraising events such as the annual STARS Rising gala. Services to students and families are provided free of charge. The organization is CARF-accredited (Gold Seal), holds a 2026 Top Workplaces Middle Tennessee award, and is governed by an independent board. In 2023 it assumed leadership of the International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA), extending its profile beyond Middle Tennessee into national bullying prevention work. Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees, led by long-tenured Co-CEOs Rodger Dinwiddie (since 1986) and Sandy Schmahl.
No AI, software-as-a-service, or proprietary technology product is associated with the organization; the "technology" is the curated evidence-based curricula and licensed clinical delivery model itself. No revenue figures are disclosed in the input, and the company has no public funding rounds, parent company, subsidiaries, or M&A activity beyond the 2008 absorption of Kids on the Block.
STARS Nashville firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STARS Nashville
- Legal name
- STARS Nashville
- Website
- https://starsnashville.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STARS Nashville industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI), Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (EBD) / Therapeutic Day Schools (EDAKAAAC), Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH)
Keywords
Where STARS Nashville is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nashville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
STARS Nashville business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations, annual fundraising events like STARS Rising, and charitable contributions.
- Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee Department of Education, and Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Also funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
- Program Fees: Fees for training and professional development services provided to schools and community organizations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
STARS Nashville product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STARS Nashville delivers school-based and community-based youth mental health services spanning prevention, intervention, and treatment. Its portfolio includes the Kids on the Block (KOB) puppet education program, the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Enhanced SAP (ESAP), the MOVE2STAND youth conference, and the YODA intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program, supplemented by training and professional development for educators and parents.
Product overview
STARS Nashville operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization offering school-based prevention, intervention, treatment, and training services for youth and communities in Middle Tennessee. The core portfolio includes Kids on the Block (KOB), an educational puppet program for various grade levels covering topics from bullying to literacy; the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Enhanced ESAP providing school-based counseling and therapeutic support; specialized services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students; the MOVE2STAND youth engagement program; and YODA (Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse) for substance abuse treatment. These programs work together to provide comprehensive mental health support, serving over 100,000 youth and adults annually through school-based and community services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kids on the Block (KOB): An educational puppet program that educates children and the broader community about challenges and important issues affecting their lives, promoting understanding and acceptance regardless of differences.
- Student Assistance Program (SAP)
- Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA)
- MOVE2STAND
- Nashville Thrives
Quantifiable outcome
- Helps over 100,000 youth and adults each year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use STARS Nashville
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
STARS Nashville technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
STARS Nashville partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered notable and core.
- ClaritevnotableClaritev presented the STARS Rising 2026 fundraising event benefiting STARS Nashville and supporting youth mental health services.
- United Way of Greater NashvillecoreMajor funding partner supporting STARS' mission and programs
- United Way of Wilson CountycoreRegional funding partner supporting local youth services
- United Way of South Central TennesseecoreRegional funding partner supporting local youth services
- United Way of Sumner CountycoreRegional funding partner supporting local youth services
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicescoreGovernment funding agency providing core operational support
- Tennessee Department of EducationcoreGovernment partner supporting school-based programs
- Tennessee Commission on Children and YouthcoreGovernment agency providing funding and support for youth services
- International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA)coreSTARS Nashville took leadership of IBPA in 2023, with CEO Rodger Dinwiddie serving as Past-President. IBPA advances bullying prevention research and global relationships.
- Giving MattersnotableCommunity Foundation of Middle Tennessee powered platform for charitable giving
- Youth Opportunity CenternotablePartnership between Oasis Center and STARS for collaborative youth services
- Williamson County SchoolscoreSchool district receiving STARS program services
- Wilson County SchoolscoreSchool district receiving STARS program services
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
STARS Nashville competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sandy Hook Promise: National nonprofit focused on school-based violence prevention, mental health, and youth empowerment programs (e.g., Start With Hello, Say Something). Comparable to STARS' bullying prevention and school-based mental health work, but operating at national scale with a brand driven by a specific event.
- Centerstone: One of the largest U.S. nonprofit behavioral health providers, operating across multiple states including Tennessee. Comparable to STARS in mental health and substance abuse services for youth, but at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Mental Health America: Oldest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy, education, and screening. Comparable to STARS in mental health awareness and education mission, with a national policy and information footprint rather than direct in-school service delivery.
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: National nonprofit specializing in substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment, including adolescent programs. STARS' CEO is a national trainer for Hazelden and the YODA program mirrors its clinical treatment model — comparable in adolescent substance abuse treatment philosophy.
Direct peers
- PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center: Minnesota-based national nonprofit running the iconic National Bullying Prevention Month and related resources. Comparable to STARS' Kids on the Block and bullying prevention curriculum work, with a national education and awareness footprint rather than in-school clinical services.
- Youth Villages: Tennessee-headquartered nonprofit providing intensive in-home, residential, and community-based services for children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. Highly comparable to STARS in mission, geography, and youth mental health focus, with a broader residential care footprint.
- Oasis Center: Nashville-based nonprofit serving youth through crisis intervention, housing, and the Youth Opportunity Center. Already a formal partner of STARS and directly comparable in the Middle Tennessee youth services ecosystem.
- Communities In Schools of Tennessee: Tennessee affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network, embedding coordinators in schools to connect students to mental health, behavioral, and social services. Closely comparable to STARS in school-based delivery model and Tennessee geography.
- McNabb Center: Tennessee-based nonprofit providing mental health, substance abuse, and social services across East Tennessee. Comparable to STARS in delivering community-based mental health treatment to youth and families, with a broader service line including 24-hour crisis services.
Others
- United Way of Greater Nashville: Major funder of STARS Nashville and convener of Middle Tennessee nonprofits. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem partner; comparable in serving the same regional youth services funding landscape.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
STARS Nashville social profiles
Digital presenceSTARS Nashville compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
STARS Nashville financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STARS Nashville leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles27 records
STARS Nashville funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STARS Nashville M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about STARS Nashville
What does STARS Nashville do?
STARS Nashville delivers school-based and community-based youth mental health services spanning prevention, intervention, and treatment. Its portfolio includes the Kids on the Block (KOB) puppet education program, the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Enhanced SAP (ESAP), the MOVE2STAND youth conference, and the YODA intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program, supplemented by training and professional development for educators and parents.
Is STARS Nashville a public or private company?
STARS Nashville is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was STARS Nashville founded?
STARS Nashville was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is STARS Nashville based?
STARS Nashville is headquartered in Nashville, United States, in the North America region.
How does STARS Nashville make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts and program Fees.
Who are STARS Nashville's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sandy Hook Promise, Centerstone, Mental Health America and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Direct peers are PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, Youth Villages, Oasis Center, Communities In Schools of Tennessee and McNabb Center. United Way of Greater Nashville is listed as an others.
Does STARS Nashville have an API?
No public API is recorded for STARS Nashville.
What industry is STARS Nashville in?
STARS Nashville's product category is Youth Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAIAB, School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services, with a secondary code of BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.