C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation

What C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation does

C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that organizes free adaptive fishing events for children with special needs and their families. The foundation operates across 26 states, hosting roughly 100 events per year (94 in 2023, 100+ planned for 2024) and serving more than 7,300 participants annually. Events are staffed by a small core team of 9 employees, a network of regional directors, and volunteers, and are delivered at no cost to participating families.

The foundation's core product is a turnkey community fishing event: each event combines on-water instruction, adaptive equipment, volunteer support, and meals/prizes, and is structured around a coordinator fee of approximately $4,000 per event plus tiered event sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $8,000. Programs rely on partnerships with the professional fishing community (notably B.A.S.S.), corporate sponsors including Farm Bureau Insurance at the national level and Pacific Seafood, and referral pipelines from pediatric health systems such as Bethany Children's Health Center.

Revenue is generated through a mix of corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and fundraising events. The foundation has received a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and a Great Nonprofits Top-Rated designation in 2025 and was awarded the B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award in 2025. Leadership transitioned in 2022 when former professional bass angler Jay Yelas joined the foundation full time as its public face and operational leader.

Name

C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation

Legal name

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation

Website

https://castforkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that organizes free adaptive fishing events for children with special needs and their families across 26 states, hosting roughly 100 events and serving more than 7,300 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Recreational Programs for Children with Disabilities

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

Keywords

• Fishing events for children
• Special needs recreation
• Accessible outdoor programs
• Nonprofit foundation programs
• Community fishing experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the mission of enriching lives of children with special needs through fishing
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Tiered event sponsorships: Local Hero ($8,000), Gold ($4,000), Silver ($2,000), Bronze ($1,000). Includes logo placement, banner displays, social media recognition, and speaking opportunities at events.
3. Dinner & Auction Fundraisers: Annual fundraising events featuring dinner, auctions, and inspiring stories. Examples include 10th Annual Waco Dinner & Auction (June 12, 2026), Northwest Dinner & Auction (July 23, 2026), Lufkin Banquet & Fundraiser (September 25, 2026), Fort Worth Banquet & Auction (October 15, 2026)
4. In-Kind Donations: Local businesses donate goods and services including pontoon boats, tents, tables, chairs, fishing gear, food for lunch, and other event supplies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes free annual fishing and boating events for children with special needs (ages 6-18). Events include 2-3 hours of fishing with volunteer boat captains and shore volunteers, a group lunch, and an awards ceremony where each child receives a rod and reel, tackle box, t-shirt, hat, and a photo plaque. The foundation supports events in 26 states through a network of volunteer coordinators and regional directors.

Product overview

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1991 that operates a family of programs centered around providing free fishing and boating events for children with special needs. The core offering consists of C.A.S.T. for Kids Fishing Events — day-long outdoor recreational experiences where volunteer boaters and shore volunteers assist children ages 6-18 with disabilities in enjoying fishing activities. Supporting programs include the Coordinator Hub (an online platform providing event planning resources, forms, and training for local event organizers), Volunteer Boater and Shore Volunteer Programs (recruiting and managing community volunteers), and Dinner & Auction Fundraisers (regional fundraising events). All child participants receive free equipment (rod & reel, tackle box, t-shirt, hat) and participate in an awards ceremony. The organization hosts events in 26 states with approximately 100 events per year serving over 7,300 participants and family members annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 94 events held in 2023, serving 7,300+ participants and family members across 94 communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pacific SeafoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor presenting sponsor for multiple events including Yaquina Bay, Black Canyon Reservoir, Snake River at Hells Gate State Park, and Clear Lake events. Logo prominently displayed on event materials.
• Texas Farm Bureau InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Rockport Beach event and Waco Dinner & Auction. Major insurance partner supporting events across Texas.
• Farm Bureau Insurance (National)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partnership with Farm Bureau Insurance including state affiliates in Texas and Florida. Major sponsor of events and fundraising.
• B.A.S.S. (Bassmaster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership to present the annual C.A.S.S. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award at the Bassmaster Classic. B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing with over 50 years of history.
• ZebcomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides fishing rod and reel combos for all child participants at events
• FlambeaumajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides tackle boxes for all child participants at events
• S2 MarineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoat dealer and service/repair shop in Quitman, TX that sponsored Lake Fork event in 2024 and 2025
• Clear Lake Military ResortminorOthersVenue host for Clear Lake, WA event
• Pope's Landing MarinaminorOthersVenue for Lake Fork, TX event. Owners James and Jody Thompson waive boat ramp fees and support the event
• Network for GoodcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline fundraising and donation platform used for event donations and general contributions
• Inland PowerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor for Clear Lake event in Washington
• ICCU (Idaho Central Credit Union)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor for Clear Lake event in Washington
• Bethany Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to bring C.A.S.T. for Kids event to hospital patients in Oklahoma, creating fishing experiences at the hospital
• Oklahoma Fish and GameminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Neil and Alex Turner to bring catfish and bluegill to Bethany Children's Hospital for C.A.S.T. event

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Special Olympics: Provides sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities through a volunteer-driven, geographically distributed event model. Closely comparable in mission (special needs population), volunteer-driven event delivery, and reliance on corporate sponsorships.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit serving people with disabilities through local affiliates, combining direct services, advocacy, and recreational programs. Comparable mission population and distributed chapter model, though broader in scope.
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: Raises funds for children's hospitals through corporate partnerships and community events. Comparable in partnering with children's hospitals and operating an event- and sponsorship-driven fundraising model.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Youth-mentoring nonprofit operating through a distributed network of local affiliates and volunteers. Comparable in volunteer-driven youth services delivery and chapter-based fundraising model.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Grants wishes to children with critical illnesses, with strong donor and corporate sponsorship infrastructure. Comparable in serving children with special medical needs and reliance on individual donations and corporate partnerships.
• Miracle League: Adaptive baseball league serving children with disabilities through volunteer-supported local chapters. Already a C.A.S.T. partner for participant recruitment; comparable mission focus on disabled children and volunteer-led local program delivery.
• Shriners Children's: Healthcare system serving children with special needs, supported by a fraternal organization's fundraising infrastructure. Comparable in serving children with disabilities and operating community-based fundraising events.
• Variety — the Children's Charity: Serves children with special needs through local chapters that deliver adaptive equipment, programs, and experiences. Comparable in serving special-needs children through local, volunteer-staffed chapters.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Larger national youth development organization with broad programming (education, sports, character). Comparable in youth-focused mission and distributed club model, though not specialized to special needs.

Emerging players

• Outdoor Afro: Nonprofit connecting Black communities to outdoor recreation and conservation activities, including fishing events. Comparable in outdoor-recreation event programming for underserved communities, though broader in activity scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOp1lMISRT4HQHo_7An4cEQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/castforkidsfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-a-s-t--for-kids-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/castforkids

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation