WINNEBAGO COUNTY CASA

What WINNEBAGO COUNTY CASA does

Winnebago County CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered at 211 S. Court Street, Suite 258, Rockford, Illinois. The organization operates a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in which trained community volunteers are appointed by Winnebago County Juvenile Court judges as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in juvenile court proceedings. Since 1987, the organization has trained more than 700 volunteers and served more than 3,600 children, and currently faces a backlog of 900+ children in foster care awaiting CASA assignment.

The organization has a small staff complement of approximately 13 employees — including an Executive Director, Program Director, Training & Retention Coordinator, Recruitment Coordinator, Advocate Facilitator, four Advocate Supervisors, an Administrative Assistant, and a Marketing Coordinator — supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Elizabeth Holmertz. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies entirely on trained human volunteer advocates operating within the Winnebago County juvenile court system. External technology touchpoints are limited to a third-party case management login portal.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions and is not publicly disclosed. Streams include individual donations at suggested tiers of $25–$100, monthly recurring donations, tiered event sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000 for the annual CASA Royale event, and planned giving instruments (bequests, retirement plan and IRA beneficiary designations, life insurance policies). The organization maintains relationships with 30+ recurring corporate, community, and individual sponsors and partners with the Junior League of Rockford (founding partner), the Winnebago County Juvenile Court, and local businesses such as Union Rockford and Hangry Joe's. Annual events — CASA Royale, the Fall Conference, and the Advocates' Club — serve as the primary community engagement and fundraising channels alongside website, email newsletter, and earned media outreach.

Name

WINNEBAGO COUNTY CASA

Legal name

Winnebago County CASA

Website

https://winnebagocountycasa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Winnebago County CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that recruits and trains community volunteers to serve as court-appointed advocates (Guardians Ad Litem) for abused and neglected children in the Winnebago County, Illinois juvenile court system, funded by donations, sponsorships, and planned giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare Advocacy

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Juvenile Justice System (Courts & Detention) (BPAIAFAF), Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Child advocacy services
• Court appointed advocates
• Volunteer advocacy program
• Foster care support
• Nonprofit child welfare

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals to support CASA advocacy programs and operational costs.
2. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsors support annual events such as CASA Royale through tiered sponsorship packages ranging from $500 to $5,000.
3. Planned Giving and Bequests: The organization accepts planned gifts including bequests in wills, beneficiary designations of retirement plans, IRA, life insurance policies, and other estate planning vehicles.
4. Monthly Recurring Donations: The organization offers a monthly donation option for recurring supporter engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Winnebago County CASA recruits, screens, and trains community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children involved in the Winnebago County juvenile abuse and neglect court system. Trained volunteer CASAs are appointed by Juvenile Court judges to advocate for a child's best interests, monitor their well-being, and recommend safe permanent placements until cases are resolved. All advocacy services are delivered free of charge to the children and families served.

Product overview

Winnebago County CASA operates as a nonprofit volunteer-based organization that provides advocacy services for children in the juvenile abuse and neglect court system. The organization develops and maintains a CASA program where trained community volunteers are appointed by Juvenile Court judges to represent children's best interests. The single unified offering consists of volunteer advocacy services, including recruiting, training, and supporting CASA volunteers who advocate for children throughout their court cases. The organization also hosts annual events including CASA Royale, Fall Conference, and Advocates' Club to support fundraising and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CASA Volunteer Advocacy Program Court Appointed Special Advocate program that recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers appointed by Juvenile Court judges to represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the Winnebago County juvenile court system; advocates monitor child well-being and recommend safe permanent placements until cases are resolved.
• CASA Royale Annual Fundraising Event Annual fundraising event for Winnebago County CASA offering tiered corporate and individual sponsorship packages ($500 Two Pair, $1,500 Full House, $3,000 Straight Flush, $5,000 Royal Flush) to support CASA advocacy operations.
• Planned Giving Program Charitable gift program accepting bequests in wills, beneficiary designations of retirement plans, IRA gifts, and life insurance beneficiary designations to sustain Winnebago County CASA's long-term mission.
• Monthly Recurring Donation Program Recurring giving program offering supporters a monthly donation option (with suggested tiers of $25, $50, $75, $100) to provide ongoing operational support to Winnebago County CASA's volunteer advocacy program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children who have a CASA spend less time in foster care.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

30 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alter Trading Corp.minorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting Winnebago County CASA's annual events and mission. Listed among 2024 sponsors for advancing the mission through annual support and event sponsorships.
• BMO BankminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Erickson Tool-Machine Co.minorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Field FastenerminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Goebel Waterproofing SolutionsminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & WingsminorOthersCommunity partner that helped Winnebago County CASA share what CASA is all about. Listed as a 2024 sponsor.
• Hard Rock Casino RockfordminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships. Shown making a donation to Winnebago County CASA.
• High PSI LTD — Loves Park, ILminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Hon. Judge MartinezminorOthersIndividual sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors for advancing the mission.
• Interstate GraphicsminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Katie Oehlberg Real Estate BrokerminorOthersIndividual sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors for advancing the mission.
• LaMoncia BeveragesminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• MembersAlliance Community Impact FundminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Mercy Health SystemsminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• MeijerminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Morrissey Family BusinessesminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Northwestern IL Building TradesminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Northwest BankminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• RosecranceminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Sam's Ristorante & Pizzeria on RiversideminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• State Rep Dave VellaminorOthersIndividual sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors for advancing the mission.
• Bill & Sue GorskiminorOthersIndividual sponsors listed among 2024 sponsors for advancing the mission.
• The Standard on StateminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Tipping Point ConsultingminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• UW HealthminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Vella & LundminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• WoodwardminorOthersCorporate sponsor listed among 2024 sponsors providing annual support and event sponsorships.
• Junior League of RockfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1987, Judge Bradner Riggs met with the Junior League of Rockford to bring the CASA program to Winnebago County, establishing the organization.
• Winnebago County Juvenile CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinnebago County CASA is appointed by Juvenile Court judges as GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) for children in abuse and neglect cases, a formal government partnership.
• Union RockfordminorOthersUnion Rockford's Stateline Shake-off event is raising funds for Winnebago County CASA, as featured in Community Spotlight.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Casey Family Programs: Large national operating foundation focused on child welfare and foster care systems change. Comparable as a high-scale child welfare organization serving similar beneficiaries (foster children and those affected by abuse/neglect), with a much broader systems-level footprint.
• National CASA Association: The national umbrella federation that supports, trains, and accredits state and local CASA programs including Winnebago County CASA. Comparable because it executes the same volunteer-guardian-ad-litem model at scale nationally.

Direct peers

• CASA of Travis County: Texas-based CASA program providing volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in child welfare cases. Directly comparable as a peer local CASA chapter with similar volunteer pipeline, donor mix, and court partnership dynamics.
• Voices for Children (San Diego CASA): A larger CASA program operating in San Diego County that recruits and trains court-appointed volunteer advocates for foster children. Most directly comparable by mission, model, and beneficiary population, with additional managed programs (Kinnected).
• CASA of Cook County: Chicago-area local CASA chapter delivering Guardian Ad Litem advocacy through trained volunteers. Comparable as another Illinois CASA chapter serving children in juvenile court, with a similar revenue mix and program structure.
• CASA DuPage County: A fellow Illinois-based local CASA chapter providing court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children. Operates the same model in an adjacent jurisdiction with similar donor, volunteer, and court dynamics.

Others

• Childhelp: National nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and serving abused and neglected children. Comparable as a donor-supported child welfare nonprofit serving similar beneficiaries, with broader prevention and treatment scope than the CASA advocacy model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National federation of youth development clubs serving at-risk youth through community-based programming. Adjacent comparison: similar volunteer- and donation-driven nonprofit serving youth in need, but with a programmatic rather than court-advocacy mission.
• Prevent Child Abuse America: National child welfare nonprofit focused on prevention of child abuse through advocacy, research, and community programs. Related by mission (children affected by abuse/neglect) and donor/fundraising model, though operating at the prevention rather than court-advocacy layer.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National volunteer-driven youth mentoring nonprofit that pairs adults with youth in communities. Comparable because it operates a similar community-volunteer recruitment and match-based model for at-risk youth, though it serves broader mentoring rather than court-advocacy needs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winnebago-county-casa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 WINNEBAGO COUNTY CASA