CASA of the River Region

What CASA of the River Region does

CASA of the River Region is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and headquartered on the Kosair for Kids Campus in Louisville, Kentucky. It recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children involved in Dependency, Neglect, and Abuse proceedings across seven Kentucky counties (Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble). Volunteers complete a 5-week virtual or hybrid training program, are sworn in by Family Court judges, and are assigned one case at a time. In 2025 the organization served 520 children against a waiting list of 332, and approximately 2,000 children enter Family Court annually across its service area.

The organization operates on a standard nonprofit technology stack with no proprietary platform: a Wix-hosted public website, Qgiv for event fundraising, Zeffy for ticketing and auctions, the CASA MGR volunteer management system, and the Optima case management system (used for ACEs questionnaire tracking and grant reporting). Service delivery is channeled directly through the Family Court system, with judges, social workers, attorneys, and caregivers submitting CASA requests via the website. The organization also publishes a children's book, "Keely the Brave," as a community-awareness and fundraising asset.

Funding is entirely donation- and grant-based, with no commercial pricing. Revenue streams include individual giving (online, phone, mail, planned giving, stock via LPL Financial, Kroger Community Rewards), foundation and corporate grants (Kosair Charities, Common Spirit - Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, National CASA/GAL Association, Impact 100 Louisville), and event-based fundraising (CASAblanca gala, Embrace a Child brunch, Golf Scramble, Give for Good Louisville). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and currently led by Executive Director Tara Metts Brown, following a 2025 leadership transition from William Myers.

Name

CASA of the River Region

Legal name

CASA of the River Region

Website

https://casariverregion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CASA of the River Region is a Louisville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1984, that recruits and trains community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in Family Court across seven Kentucky counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Advocacy Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Juvenile Justice System (Courts & Detention) (BPAIAFAF), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Child advocacy services
• Volunteer court advocacy
• Foster care support
• Child welfare programs
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals via online portal (one-time or recurring), honorariums, memorials, and in-kind gifts. Donors can give online, by phone (502-400-8040), or by mail.
2. Foundation & Corporate Grants: Grant funding from foundations such as Common Spirit - Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana (Advocacy Academy & Support Program), Kosair Charities ($100,000 Gifts & Grants), National CASA/GAL Association ($25,000/year Mentoring Grant for 2 years), and others.
3. Community Events Fundraising: Annual events including CASAblanca gala, Embrace a Child brunch, Give for Good Louisville, and Golf Scramble generate event revenue and sponsorships. Give for Good 2025 raised $28,895 from 111 donors.
4. Planned Giving & Legacy Gifts: Bequests, wills, 401K/IRA beneficiary designations, and life insurance gifts. Stock donations accepted via LPL Financial (DTC #0075, a/c 7082-3618).
5. Retail Rewards Programs: Kroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to designate CASA as their charity of choice, generating a percentage of qualifying purchases.
6. Children's Book Sales: Sale of Keely the Brave, a children's book published by CASA, through the online shop, with proceeds supporting CASA programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CASA of the River Region recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers aged 21+ to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for abused and neglected children involved in Kentucky Family Court Dependency, Neglect, and Abuse cases. Each volunteer is assigned to one case at a time, completes a 5-week virtual or hybrid training program, and is sworn in by a Family Court judge. The organization also publishes the children's book "Keely the Brave" and operates annual fundraising events to sustain its mission.

Product overview

CASA of the River Region operates as a nonprofit organization offering volunteer advocacy services rather than a technology product company. The organization's primary offering is its Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer Program, which recruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in Family Court. Supporting programs include the CASA Request Form for case assignments, ACEs Questionnaire Tracking for trauma-informed advocacy, and various fundraising events (CASAblanca Gala, Give for Good Louisville, Golf Scramble, Embrace a Child Brunch). The organization also publishes 'Keely the Brave,' a children's book to educate youth about CASA services. These programs work together to ensure children have consistent adult advocates throughout Family Court proceedings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CASA Volunteer Advocate Program Core volunteer advocacy program: CASA recruits, screens, and trains community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in Kentucky Family Court. Each volunteer completes a 5-week virtual or hybrid training program, is sworn in by a Family Court judge, and is assigned to advocate for one child or sibling group throughout their court involvement. The service is free of charge to children and families.
• Keely the Brave Children's Book Children's book published by CASA of the River Region in December 2021, designed to help children understand the role of a CASA volunteer and inspire adults to become advocates. Sold through the CASA online shop with proceeds supporting CASA's volunteer advocacy programs. Over a thousand copies have been distributed to date.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children with a CASA receive more court-ordered services, spend less time in out-of-home care, and are more likely to succeed in school
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• LG&E and KU (Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of the CASAblanca gala and matching gift donor for Give for Good Louisville (matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to $8,000). Long-standing corporate supporter of CASA's events and mission.
• Pinnacle Financial PartnersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the CASAblanca gala and Gold sponsor of the Embrace a Child brunch. Active corporate partner supporting CASA fundraising events.
• Frost Brown ToddsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the CASAblanca gala.
• Whittenberg ConstructionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the CASAblanca gala and Bronze sponsor of the Embrace a Child brunch.
• Oxmoor Auto GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBirdie sponsor of the Golf Scramble and Bronze sponsor of the Embrace a Child brunch.
• Republic BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the Embrace a Child brunch.
• Shirley's WaymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the Embrace a Child brunch. Also funded the pillows and pillowcases for the Keely the Brave initiative.
• RAC (Racing Association of Central Louisville)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPar sponsor of the Golf Scramble.
• BrightSpring Health ServicessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPar sponsor of the Golf Scramble.
• Club FitnesssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPar sponsor of the Golf Scramble.
• Fund for the ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASA shares the Cultural Pass Program (offering free access to Louisville cultural venues for children ages 0-21) with families it serves, helping connect children to enriching summer experiences.
• Tri-County Community Action AgencysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity assistance resource partner serving families across CASA's seven-county service area.
• Dare to Care Food BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer meal program partner providing food assistance to children and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
• JCPS (Jefferson County Public Schools)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing summer meals program and serving as a key educational partner for CASA volunteer work with children in school settings.
• Louisville Free Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing summer reading programs that help prevent summer learning loss for children served by CASA.
• Face It MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosair Charities-led movement to end and prevent child abuse in Kentucky, of which CASA is a partner organization. The movement focuses on both intervention and prevention.
• PNC Private BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVP Relationship Strategist Allison Samblanet from PNC Private Bank serves on the CASA of the River Region Board of Directors, bringing nonprofit development and fundraising expertise.
• Louisville Public MediasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for the Embrace a Child brunch, providing media coverage and promotion for the event.
• Pegasus Global (Luxury Travel Partner)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury travel partner for the CASAblanca gala.
• Perfect Pitch EventssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment partner for the CASAblanca gala.
• The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for teens and young adults (ages 16-24) looking for career exploration, job training, educational support, and leadership development. CASA volunteers connect young people in the system to this resource.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• CASA of King County (Washington): Pacific Northwest CASA program recruiting volunteers to advocate for foster children in King County dependency court. Comparable mid-size regional CASA peer with similar training pipeline and court-appointment model.
• Voices for Children (San Diego): CASA/GAL affiliate serving San Diego County foster children through court-appointed volunteer advocates. Directly comparable regional CASA peer with the same court-appointment model and at-risk youth focus.
• CASA of Travis County (Texas): Texas CASA affiliate serving abused and neglected children in Travis County dependency courts. Comparable mid-size CASA program with similar volunteer recruitment, training, and court-advocacy operating model.
• CASA of New Jersey: Statewide CASA/GAL organization coordinating volunteer advocates for New Jersey's abused and neglected children. Comparable state-level CASA peer with multi-county coverage and similar funding/grant model.
• CASA of Los Angeles: Largest CASA affiliate, advocating for foster children in Los Angeles County dependency court. Operates the same volunteer-advocate model in a different (much larger) geography, providing scale and funding benchmarks comparable to CASA of the River Region.
• CASA of Sacramento County: California CASA affiliate serving Sacramento County's dependent children through trained volunteer advocates. Comparable mid-size regional CASA peer with similar volunteer-driven court-advocacy operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult volunteers with at-risk youth. Comparable mission around one-on-one adult mentorship for vulnerable children, with a similarly volunteer-driven service model and court/social-services referral channels.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit serving at-risk youth through club-based programming. Adjacent rather than direct, but shares the youth-services funding ecosystem and at-risk youth mission, including in Kentucky.
• National CASA/GAL Association for Children: National umbrella organization that supports and accredits the network of 900+ state and local CASA/GAL programs, including CASA of the River Region. Directly comparable as the parent network providing training, standards, and federal grant administration for court-appointed volunteer advocacy.

Direct peers

• Child Advocates (Houston): Houston-area nonprofit recruiting and training Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in Harris County foster care. Closest direct peer to CASA of the River Region in terms of program model, target population, and volunteer-driven service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CASAriverregion
• Instagraminstagram.com/casariverregion
• Xx.com/casariverregion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/court-appointed-special-advocates-of-the-river-region

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CASA of the River Region