What CreatiVets does

CreatiVets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that provides free therapeutic arts and music programs to wounded veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and other service-related trauma. The organization operates three core programs — Songwriting, Visual Arts, and Astrophotography — pairing veterans with professional Nashville songwriters, musicians, and visual artists for guided creative instruction. The Songwriting Program is delivered in partnership with industry players including Big Machine Label Group, Grand Ole Opry, and iHeartCountry (150 stations, 110 million listeners), and has generated 21 million+ veteran song streams; the Visual Arts Program covers painting, ceramics, and woodworking; and the Astrophotography Program provides meditative nighttime photography instruction.

The organization is funded entirely through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with no fees charged to veteran participants. To date, CreatiVets has served 4,500+ veterans across all 50 states through 13 nonprofit partners. In November 2025, the organization completed Phase 1 of a $12.5 million capital campaign by purchasing a permanent headquarters building on Roberson Avenue in Nashville for $3.3 million, with Phase 2 renovation ($2.6 million goal) targeting a Veterans Day 2026 move-in and Phase 3 (2027) planned to add a performance stage, art gallery, expanded studios, and a 24-hour makerspace with revenue generated via leasing to mission-aligned partners. Major donors include the Gary Sinise Foundation ($1 million) and corporate partners CVS Health, Chase Bank, John Deere, Del Monte, and Crown Royal; founder Richard Casper is a Purple Heart recipient recognized by TIME (Next Generation Leader, 2017) and CNN (CNN Hero, 2022).

There is no proprietary technology platform underlying service delivery — CreatiVets is fundamentally a human-delivered therapeutic arts nonprofit. Operations are supported by a Salesforce CRM for intake and donor management, and the organization maintains a media footprint across earned media (Washington Post, ABC News, People, Forbes, Variety, CNN), social channels, a podcast, and an airport exhibit. The leadership team includes co-founder and Executive Director Richard Casper, COO Janet Rives (formerly Bridgestone Americas, VF Corporation), and a roster of professional Nashville songwriters and combat veteran program directors.

Name

CreatiVets

Legal name

CreatiVets

Website

https://creativets.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CreatiVets is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free therapeutic songwriting, visual arts, and astrophotography programs to wounded veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries across all 50 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Therapeutic Arts Programs

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Writing Retreats & Intensive Bootcamps (EDAMAMAK), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)

Keywords

• Veteran arts therapy
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Therapeutic songwriting program
• PTSD recovery programs
• Creative arts healing

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CreatiVets operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization runs a capital campaign to fund permanent headquarters expansion.
2. Gary Sinise Foundation Partnership: High-profile celebrity support including Gary Sinise's $1 million donation to the capital campaign for permanent headquarters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CreatiVets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free therapeutic arts and music programs to wounded veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and service-related trauma. The organization operates three core programs—Songwriting, Visual Arts, and Astrophotography—pairing veterans with professional songwriters, artists, and instructors to facilitate healing through creative expression. All programs are delivered at no cost to eligible veterans across all 50 states.

Product overview

CreatiVets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates three core therapeutic programs—Songwriting, Visual Arts, and Astrophotography—designed to help wounded veterans heal from post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries through creative expression. These programs connect veterans with professional artists, musicians, and songwriters who guide them through therapeutic arts and music experiences. The Songwriting Program pairs veterans with country music industry professionals to write original songs, while the Visual Arts Program offers instruction in various visual arts disciplines. The Astrophotography Program provides a unique creative outlet through photography of the night sky. All programs are provided free of charge to veterans and are designed to reduce wait times and increase capacity for national impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Songwriting Program A therapeutic songwriting program that pairs wounded veterans with professional songwriters to help them process and express their experiences through music creation. Provided free of charge to veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and service-related trauma.
• Visual Arts Program A therapeutic visual arts program offering instruction in painting, ceramics, woodworking, and other creative disciplines to help veterans heal from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Provided free of charge to eligible veterans.
• Astrophotography Program A program that teaches veterans astrophotography techniques, allowing them to explore the night sky and engage in a meditative, therapeutic creative practice. Provided free of charge to eligible veterans.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ veterans served across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Big Machine Label GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor record label partnership for debut album 'Veteran Songs' release, connecting veteran songwriters with professional music industry resources.
• America 250minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partner supporting patriotic initiatives and veteran recognition.
• Grand Ole OprycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic Nashville music venue partnership providing performance opportunities and industry connections for veteran songwriters.
• Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partnership supporting veteran music heritage and storytelling.
• George W. Bush InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Richard Casper in documentary and selected him for inaugural Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program.
• Fisher HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary support organization providing comfort homes for families of patients at military and VA medical centers.
• School of the Art Institute of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard Casper attended and graduated from SAIC; maintains teaching relationship with institution.
• Belmont UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic industry partnership with Nashville university for veteran songwriter education.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading veteran nonprofit organization providing programs and services to wounded veterans.
• iHeartMedia/iHeartCountrycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio broadcasting partnership with iHeartCountry team reaching 150 Country broadcast stations and 110 million listeners.
• National Veterans Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans art museum partnership for veteran artwork display and recognition.
• National Veterans Memorial And MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum partnership supporting veteran recognition and education.
• Strikeouts For TroopsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary support organization focused on troops and veterans.
• Tee It Up For The TroopsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolf event organization supporting military and veteran causes.
• Glassell School of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt school partnership supporting visual arts instruction for veterans.
• NRA CountryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic and lifestyle brand partnership supporting rural and veteran communities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Songs for Soldiers: Nonprofit pairing veterans with professional songwriters to create original music, with proceeds supporting veteran services. Directly mirrors CreatiVets' songwriting program and target beneficiary.
• Fisher House Foundation: Major military/veteran nonprofit providing free temporary housing for families of hospitalized veterans and service members. Comparable in scale and donor base, and a CreatiVets partner, though focused on family lodging rather than arts therapy.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest U.S. nonprofit serving wounded veterans with PTSD and TBI through a broad portfolio of programs (mental health, physical康复, career transition). Directly comparable to CreatiVets in serving the same wounded-veteran persona and competing for the same donor and grant pool.
• Guitars for Vets: Nonprofit that provides free guitar-based music instruction to veterans with PTSD and TBI, often at VA facilities. Closely comparable model — therapeutic music instruction delivered to the same wounded-veteran persona at no cost.
• National Veterans Art Museum: Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to exhibiting and preserving art created by U.S. veterans. Directly comparable in pairing visual-arts programming with veteran community-building, and an active CreatiVets partner.
• Gary Sinise Foundation: Major veteran-services nonprofit founded by actor Gary Sinise, supporting wounded veterans through entertainment, financial, and program initiatives. Directly comparable mission and donor base, and an actual capital-campaign partner of CreatiVets ($1M gift).
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led nonprofit mobilizing ex-military volunteers for disaster response and community recovery. Comparable in veteran-led nonprofit positioning and donor-base overlap, though its core delivery model is disaster response rather than arts therapy.
• The Mission Continues: National nonprofit deploying veteran volunteer leaders on community impact projects. Comparable in serving the post-service reintegration persona and competing for the same institutional donor pool, though its modality is civic service rather than creative arts.
• Travis Manion Foundation: Veteran-services nonprofit empowering veterans and families of fallen service members through leadership development and community service. Comparable beneficiary community (wounded/Gold Star families), with Kyle Yepsen being a Gold Star brother, and similar donor base.

Broad incumbents

• MusiCares: Charitable arm of the Recording Academy providing health, financial, and rehabilitation support to music industry professionals. Comparable in the music-industry charitable ecosystem but serves music-industry workers rather than veterans.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/creativets1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYccjG_BTRUoXFxmQAyF5KA
• Facebookfacebook.com/creativeterans
• Instagraminstagram.com/creativets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/creativets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 CreatiVets