Barren River Area Safe Space

What Barren River Area Safe Space does

Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc. (BRASS, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is one of the largest domestic violence shelter programs among Kentucky's 15 sister shelters, designated as the primary DV service provider for the ten-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD). The organization serves nearly 3,000 survivors of domestic violence and their children annually across Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren counties, with a service area spanning nearly 4,000 square miles. Last year it sheltered 420+ victims (a roughly 3% year-over-year increase), answered 5,100+ crisis calls through its 24/7 toll-free line, and maintained an average shelter length of stay of 48 days.

BRASS's service portfolio is integrated and non-commercial: a confidential 30-bed emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis intervention, non-residential advocacy through four satellite offices, a Mobile Advocacy Unit launched in June 2026, legal advocacy including Emergency Protective Order filing, housing programs (transitional, Section 8, rapid rehousing serving ~60 families), counseling and support groups, children's services, transportation and emergency financial assistance, a food pantry, and community education. All services are provided free of charge and confidentially. Underlying technology is minimal: a Wix-hosted website, Zeffy online donation portal, text-to-give, eBay and Shopify storefronts, and an Amazon Wish List support fundraising, while service delivery relies on crisis communication systems and a Mobile Advocacy vehicle.

The revenue model is entirely donation- and grant-based. Funding streams include individual donations (online, text-to-give, eBay store), foundation grants (notably the Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky, which awarded a $68,000 Growth Grant in October 2025), community impact investments from United Way of Southern Kentucky (part of over $1.1M in regional annual investments with $641,997 in Warren County), corporate and in-kind partnerships (Camping World, Signature Signs and Ad Specialties, A&M Collective), and annual fundraising events (Galentine's Gala, Steps for Safety 5K, Summer Drive). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Tori Henninger, with 11–50 employees and no parent company, ownership changes, or recapitalizations.

Name

Barren River Area Safe Space

Legal name

Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc.

Website

https://brassinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Barren River Area Safe Space (BRASS, Inc.) is a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1980, that provides free emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis intervention, legal advocacy, housing programs, and community education to nearly 3,000 domestic violence survivors and their children annually across ten counties in south-central Kentucky.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Emergency shelter
• Crisis intervention
• Housing advocacy
• Community education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowling Green

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals via online portal (Zeffy), text-to-give (Text BRASS to 243725), and eBay store purchases support shelter operations, client services, and emergency assistance.
2. Annual Events: Annual fundraising events including Galentine's Gala and Steps for Safety 5K generate revenue for unrestricted organizational support. The Third Annual Galentine's Gala raised over $50,000.
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations including Women's Fund of South Central Kentucky ($68,000 Growth Grant) and United Way of Southern Kentucky (over $1.1 million in annual community impact investments).
4. Corporate/Community Partnerships: Ongoing support from community partners including in-kind donations, sponsorships, and collaborative funding for specific programs and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Barren River Area Safe Space is a nonprofit domestic violence service agency that provides free, confidential emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis intervention, housing advocacy, legal advocacy, counseling, and children's services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across a ten-county region of south-central Kentucky. The organization also delivers community education and prevention programming in collaboration with local schools, hospitals, and law enforcement.

Product overview

Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc. (BRASS, Inc.) is a nonprofit domestic violence shelter organization serving ten counties in south-central Kentucky. It offers a single, integrated suite of victim-support services rather than a technology product portfolio. Core services include a 30-bed emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis hotline (1-800-928-1183), housing programs, non-residential advocacy, legal advocacy, counseling, children's services, and community education. The organization has launched a Mobile Advocacy Unit to extend services into rural communities across its service area. BRASS's digital properties include a main website, online donation portals (via Zeffy), an eBay store, a Shopify apparel store, an Amazon Wish List for shelter needs, and event registration via RunSignUp. No standalone software product, platform, or module portfolio is offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Program Confidential, secure emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and their dependent children, located at undisclosed locations within the ten-county service region.
• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline Round-the-clock telephone crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource referral for survivors and concerned family members or professionals.
• Text-Based Crisis Helpline Text-message-based crisis support providing an alternative to the voice hotline for survivors whose safety or accessibility requires text communication.
• Housing Advocacy (Transitional and Rapid Re-Housing) Transitional housing and rapid re-housing assistance, including case management and landlord negotiation, to help survivors achieve stable long-term housing after leaving an abusive environment.
• Legal Advocacy Assistance with protection from abuse (PFA) orders, court accompaniment, and coordination with legal and law enforcement partners for survivors pursuing legal remedies.
• Counseling and Children's Services Trauma-informed counseling for adult survivors and dedicated children's programming addressing the impact of violence exposure on children in shelter and housing programs.
• Community Education and Prevention Awareness, prevention education, and professional training delivered to schools, community groups, hospitals, and law enforcement to build a coordinated community response to domestic and sexual violence.
• Mobile Advocacy Unit Mobile service delivery that brings advocacy, resource navigation, and crisis response directly to survivors across the rural ten-county service region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 3,000 survivors served annually across ten counties
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZeroV Kentucky United Against ViolencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide domestic violence coalition network. BRASS provides ongoing services, community referrals, and case management for survivors in Grayson, Hardin, and Larue counties under the Lincoln Trail ADD temporary services plan.
• Camping WorldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided a large vehicle discount for the Mobile Advocacy Unit, enabling the organization to extend services to rural communities.
• Signature Signs and Ad SpecialtiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided vehicle branding for the Mobile Advocacy Unit at no cost.
• A&M CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent planning partnership for Galentine's Gala and Steps for Safety 5K events. Team members Ashley Stuart and Morgan Bandy coordinate sponsorship and event logistics.
• Kentucky Legal AidminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services partner providing assistance to survivors with legal matters including protective orders and other domestic violence-related legal needs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis hotline and resource directory for DV survivors. Comparable crisis-line service component (BRASS operates 5,100+ crisis calls/year) but operates at national scale without residential shelter services.
• YWCA USA: National nonprofit operating DV shelters, housing programs, and advocacy through local affiliates. Comparable service categories and donation/grant funding model, but at significantly broader scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program: Lexington, KY-based DV program providing shelter, crisis lines, and advocacy across the Bluegrass region. Comparable in service mix and mission, with a similar diversified funding model and regional scale ambitions.
• Greenhouse17: Kentucky nonprofit serving survivors of intimate partner abuse across multiple counties with shelter and non-residential services. Directly comparable service portfolio and regional nonprofit structure.
• SafeHouse of Shelby County: Kentucky-based domestic violence shelter serving Shelby and surrounding counties. Directly comparable to BRASS as a regional DV shelter offering emergency housing, crisis intervention, and advocacy in a similar rural Kentucky service area.
• Merryman House Domestic Violence Shelter: Paducah, KY-based DV shelter providing emergency shelter and outreach across western Kentucky. Comparable regional nonprofit DV shelter operating with similar grant/donation funding mix.
• Sanctuary, Inc. Kentucky domestic violence and sexual assault program serving multiple counties with shelter and advocacy. Directly comparable to BRASS in mission, service mix, and regional scope.
• Harbor House of Louisville: Louisville-based DV shelter providing emergency shelter, crisis services, and advocacy. Sister Kentucky program with similar service offerings but operating in a larger urban catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Barren River Area Safe Space