The Mediation Center Of The Coastal Empire

What The Mediation Center Of The Coastal Empire does

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 (originally as the Neighbor to Neighbor Mediation Center) and headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, with a second Midtown Savannah office. It delivers court-connected mediation across Chatham County (Superior, State, Magistrate, and Probate Courts), a Family Law Resource Center that supplies court-approved form packets and document-review appointments for self-represented litigants, a suite of youth programs (Peer Mediation, BRAVE, COPE, Positive Peer Influencers, Restorative Conferencing, Restorative Youth Court), three court-approved co-parenting classes, and GODR-approved mediation and restorative-conferencing training. The organization reports over 8,000 mediations conducted and nearly 5,000 settlements facilitated over twenty years, more than 180 volunteer mediators trained, 2,000+ court-related cases supported annually, 10,000+ people engaged per year, and active programming in 35+ schools.

The underlying technology is service-led rather than software-led: mediation and restorative justice are delivered by trained volunteer and staff neutrals registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, with Tier I/Tier II ADR domestic-violence screening mandated since January 1, 2021. Service delivery is hybrid (in-person at two Savannah offices plus Zoom), and transactional touchpoints (online registration for parenting classes, online form intake for the FLRC, a website with donation and program information) operate as standard web forms rather than a proprietary platform. There is no disclosed mobile app, API, or AI component.

The business model combines transactional fees (Superior Court mediation at $300 per party, FLRC fees of $150–$400, parenting classes at $50–$800, General Civil Mediation Training at $250), fee-based professional services (workplace seminars, de-escalation and DEI training at 2–4 hour sessions), and a diversified grant and donation stack (United Way of the Coastal Empire, City of Savannah, Georgia Bar Foundation, Gulfstream Aerospace, South State Bank, Resilient Coastal Georgia, One Hundred Children's Foundation, The Hodge Foundation, and others). Go-to-market is community-led: court referrals drive adult mediation volume, school district partnerships drive youth-program reach, and earned media plus annual events (Peace in the Park, Youth Celebration, annual fundraiser) sustain brand visibility. Customer segments span individuals in court-referred mediation, pro se family law litigants, K-12 students, divorcing or separating parents, and organizations purchasing workplace conflict-resolution services.

Name

The Mediation Center Of The Coastal Empire

Legal name

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire

Website

https://mediationsavannah.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Savannah, Georgia, providing court-connected mediation, family law paperwork assistance, youth conflict-resolution programs, parenting classes, and GODR-approved mediator training across the Coastal Empire region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mediation and Conflict Resolution Services

NAICS

Other Legal Services (54119), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAFAC

Mediation, Negotiation Support & Peace Processes

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution & Security Cooperation

Keywords

• Court-referred mediation
• Family law assistance
• Conflict resolution training
• Youth peer mediation
• Restorative justice services

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies on community donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from organizations such as United Way of the Coastal Empire, City of Savannah, Georgia Bar Foundation, Gulfstream Aerospace, South State Bank, and others.
2. Mediation Fees: Chatham County Superior Court mediation: $300 per party. No fee for Probate, State, or Magistrate Court cases. $75 late cancellation/no-show fee.
3. Family Law Resource Center Fees: Uncontested forms: Chatham County $300 total, Other County $400 total. Contested forms: Chatham County $150 per person filing, Other County $200 per person filing.
4. Co-parenting Class Fees: Transitional Parenting Class: $50. Children 1st Parenting Class: $800. Legitimation in Georgia Class: $50.
5. Training Fees: General Civil Mediation Training: $250. Guardian ad Litem fees billed per case. CLE courses: fee-based. Restorative Practices workshops: free thanks to Resilient Coastal Georgia funding.
6. Professional Services / Workplace Training: De-escalation, workplace seminars, group facilitation, and conflict resolution training for organizations — fee varies by organizational need and session length (2-4 hours).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers court-connected mediation, family law paperwork assistance, youth conflict-resolution programs, co-parenting classes, and GODR-approved mediation training across the Savannah and Coastal Georgia region. Services are delivered by trained volunteer neutrals and staff via in-person sessions and Zoom, with a fee structure spanning free community services and paid training, parenting, and Superior Court mediation offerings.

Product overview

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a comprehensive suite of conflict resolution services. The core offerings include mediation services across multiple court jurisdictions (Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate), a Family Law Resource Center providing form assistance and education, and extensive youth programs including Peer Mediation, BRAVE, and Positive Peer Influencers. Additional services include professional workplace training, court-approved parenting classes (Transitional Parenting, Children 1st, Legitimation), and certification programs for mediators and facilitators. The organization functions as a multi-module service platform rather than a software product, delivering services through virtual sessions via Zoom and in-person delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Family Law Resource Center (FLRC): Provides education and paperwork support for family law actions including divorce, modification, legitimation, and contempt cases.
• BRAVE Program
• Peer Mediation
• Transitional Parenting
• Positive Peer Influencers

Products and services

• Mediation Services Confidential, neutral third-party facilitated conflict resolution for individuals or groups across Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, and community disputes. Delivered by GODR-registered volunteer mediators in person and via Zoom; Superior Court is $300 per party and Probate/State/Magistrate Court cases are no-cost.
• Family Law Resource Center (FLRC) Education and paperwork support services for family law actions including divorce, legitimation, modification, and contempt, with online court-approved form packets and 45-minute document review sessions authored by a Georgia attorney with 20+ years of family law experience. Uncontested forms range $300-$400 total; contested forms $150-$200 per filing party.
• Youth Programs Suite of youth conflict-resolution and social-emotional learning initiatives including Peer Mediation, BRAVE, Positive Peer Influencers, Restorative Conferencing, Families First Parent-Teen Class, Peace Between Peers, and Ambassadors of Peace. Delivered in 35+ Savannah-Chatham County schools and youth-serving nonprofit partners.
• Professional Services Workplace seminars, group facilitation, DEI training, de-escalation training, consensus building, and conflict resolution services for organizations. Sessions run 2-4 hours; fee varies by organizational need and length.
• Online Transitional Parenting Class Self-paced 4-hour virtual parenting class meeting Georgia court requirements for domestic cases with minor children, valid for 15 days after enrollment. Priced at $50 with a Certificate of Completion.
• Children 1st Parenting Class Eight-hour parenting class held over four consecutive Saturdays for parents with communication difficulties, focusing on conflict reduction and child-focused communication. Priced at $800 with intake form and full fee payment required before the first class.
• Legitimation in Georgia Class Online co-parenting class for fathers required before accessing Family Law Resource Center for legitimation paperwork, covering custody, visitation, and child developmental needs. Priced at $50; 4-hour virtual session held the last Friday of each month, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm ET.
• Mediation Training Programs Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution-approved training including General Civil Mediation, Domestic Relations Mediation, Specialized Domestic Violence Mediation, Probate Mediation, and Guardian ad Litem certification. General Civil Mediation Training priced at $250; free for those who have volunteered with the Center for at least one year.
• Restorative Conferencing Training Two training options: 3-hour Restorative Practices Workshop and 2-day, 14-hour Restorative Conferencing Facilitator Training for community members and professionals. Restorative Practices workshops offered at no cost thanks to Resilient Coastal Georgia funding.
• De-escalation Training Customizable 2-4 hour training programs teaching conflict de-escalation strategies, situational awareness, safety planning, and creating calm environments for professional and community settings. Deployed for election workers, schools, and partner organizations.
• Safety and Resilience Training Evidence-based programs including Community Resiliency Model, Mindful Self-Compassion, suicide prevention training (ASIST, SuicideTALK), trauma-sensitive yoga, and tactical body training for community and professional participants.
• Guardian Ad Litem Services Court-appointed representation of minor child interests in custody, visitation, and child-related cases through the Chatham County Guardian ad Litem program. GAL fees are billed per case; administration supported by donations including from the Savannah Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8,000 mediations conducted and nearly 5,000 settlements facilitated over 20 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Chatham County CourtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt partnerships for mandated mediation referrals across Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court. The Center is the primary provider of court-connected mediation services in Chatham County.
• Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for peer mediation programs in schools, Positive Peer Influencer program, suicide safety training, and restorative practices. Hundreds of students trained annually through this partnership.
• Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGODR approves the Center's training programs and registers volunteer mediators/neutrals. The Center provides GODR-approved mediation training including General Civil, Domestic Relations, Specialized Domestic Violence, Probate, and Guardian ad Litem training.
• Greenbriar Children's CentersupportingOthersUtilizes the BRAVE program for residents — a life skills training program emphasizing individualized processing, independent thinking, and youth problem-solving skills.
• Housing Authority of SavannahsupportingOthersCommunity partner supporting housing-related conflict resolution services in Savannah.
• Georgia Legal Services ProgramsupportingOthersCommunity partner providing legal services to low-income individuals; referrals and collaboration for family law matters.
• Parent UniversitysupportingOthersCommunity partner supporting parent education and engagement in Savannah.
• Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center (PARC)supportingOthersCommunity partner providing resources and services to Savannah community members.
• Step Up SavannahsupportingOthersCommunity partner in Savannah working on economic empowerment and related services.
• The Front PorchsupportingOthersCommunity partner venue for community conversations and events.
• Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Positive Peer Influencer program, addressing drug awareness, vaping, and fentanyl dangers among middle school students. CNT Director Sarhatt participates in program leadership alongside SCCPSS and TMC.
• Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Disaster Faith NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence (CGPIV) Training initiative, delivering de-escalation techniques and training.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM): Membership organization supporting community mediation centers nationwide. Comparable as the institutional backbone for the same nonprofit mediation sector and provides training, standards, and funding pathways for member centers like the Mediation Center.

Broad incumbents

• JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services): Largest private ADR provider in the U.S. offering mediation, arbitration, and related services to courts, businesses, and individuals. Comparable as a court-connected mediation provider but operates at national scale with for-profit model versus the Center's nonprofit community-based approach.

Direct peers

• Mediate.com: Long-running mediation information and referral platform connecting consumers with mediators. Comparable as a service hub for mediation practitioners and consumers seeking alternative dispute resolution, including training and resource directories.
• Resolution Center of Central Minnesota: Community-based nonprofit mediation center offering court-referred mediation, family law services, and community dispute resolution. Structurally similar 501(c)(3) nonprofit with comparable service mix and volunteer-driven model.
• Community Mediation Maryland: Statewide network of community mediation centers providing court-referred and community mediation services. Comparable as a multi-program nonprofit ADR provider with volunteer-driven service delivery and grant funding.
• Good Shepherd Mediation Program (Philadelphia): Nonprofit community mediation center in Philadelphia providing court-referred mediation, family services, and school-based youth programs. Direct programmatic and structural peer serving a defined regional catchment.
• Conflict Resolution Center (Minneapolis): Nonprofit community mediation and restorative justice provider in Minnesota offering court-referred mediation, youth programs, and workplace training. Direct structural and programmatic peer with multi-program service model.
• Atlanta Legal Aid Society: Nonprofit legal services organization serving the metro Atlanta area with family law, housing, and consumer services. Comparable as a Georgia-based nonprofit addressing access to justice for self-represented litigants and underserved populations.

Emerging players

• Georgia Legal Services Program: Statewide nonprofit providing free civil legal aid to low-income Georgians. Listed as a community partner of the Mediation Center; operates in the same family law access space but focused on legal representation rather than mediation.
• Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY): Nonprofit focused on restorative justice and youth diversion programs in schools and juvenile justice settings. Comparable on the youth restorative conferencing and peer mediation dimensions of the Center's BRAVE and Peer Mediation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SAV_Mediation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl5VkDXgr54CIjwVOLOGYkQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/mediationcentersavannah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-mediation-center-of-the-coastal-empire
• Instagraminstagram.com/mediationcenter/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Mediation Center Of The Coastal Empire