A Legacy of Love: Alex LeVasseur Advised Fund
When 13-year-old Alex LeVasseur passed away unexpectedly, his family was left reeling. They didn’t know what to do or how to move forward in the face of such deep loss.
But a friend offered a simple suggestion: start a fund at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT). That idea became a lifeline and a way to channel their grief into purpose and to create something lasting in Alex’s name.
“We didn’t really know what we were doing, we were just figuring out how to put one foot in front of the other,” says Alex’s sister, Casey. “Having the fund gave us a place to start. It gave us a way to keep Alex’s memory alive.”
These first steps led to the creation of the Alex LeVasseur Advised Fund in 2007 at CFMT.
At first, the LeVasseurs weren’t sure what the fund would look like, they only knew they wanted to honor Alex. But as the fund began to grow, so did their vision. They realized they could create opportunities for overlooked and at-risk youth, especially in the areas Alex loved most: music, film, and skateboarding.
“One of the hardest things about losing someone so young is the fear they’ll be forgotten,” Casey reflects. “Eighteen years later, we’ve seen Alex’s life multiply beyond anything we could have imagined.”
From Grief to Community
For several years, the family moved forward step by step, doing what they could.
The turning point came when they realized they didn’t have to do it alone. Therefore, instead of starting programs from scratch, they began partnering with trusted local and national nonprofits that were already making an impact. By combining their passion and personal involvement with the expertise of these organizations, they could reach more young people and magnify their efforts.
One of their first major partnerships was with The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation) to build skateparks. For Alex, who loved skateboarding, this partnership felt especially meaningful.
“For my brother, meeting Tony Hawk would have been the ultimate,” Casey says with a smile. “To think that his legacy now includes building skate parks across the country is incredible.”
Nashville Impact
Locally, they partnered with The Beat of Life to run weekly music programs and with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee to create a safe space for teens including the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark at the Brentwood Y.
“We didn’t just want to send money and hope for the best,” Casey explains. “We’re there every week, seeing the kids in the skate park, running music classes, and being part of their lives. That’s the full circle for us … being connected and present.”
These relationships shaped the way the fund operated, and it wasn’t about one-time gifts. It was about staying involved, listening to youth, and walking alongside them.
Learn more about Brentwood Y’s Music Monday program and their Teen Center including the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark.
$2 million raised in nearly 20 Years
Over nearly two decades, the Alex LeVasseur Fund has grown from an idea sparked by grief into a vibrant source of hope and opportunity.
Through these partnerships, the fund has:
- Awarded more than 60 grants, totaling over $600,000
- Built safe spaces where kids can gather, learn, and heal
- Launched weekly music classes that foster creativity and confidence
- Supported national and local nonprofits, from The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation) to The Beat of Life and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee
And the impact is personal. A teen who once felt isolated discovers a love of music. A young skater finds community and a sense of belonging. A family struggling through hardship sees that someone cares.
“When we’re with these kids, we see glimpses of Alex,” Casey shares. “We don’t always know how a single music lesson or moment at the skate park will shape someone’s life. But we know it matters.”
The Night It All Comes Together
Each March, the LeVasseur family hosts Jeffrey Steele & Friends, their annual concert and fundraiser at the historic Franklin Theatre.
The event is a night of community and connection.
Casey’s dad, acclaimed songwriter Jeffrey Steele, takes the stage alongside world-class artists. The show features surprise performances, a lively auction, and a sense of magic that can only happen when a room full of people gathers for a shared purpose.
The event has sold out year after year, raising more than $2 million to support the fund’s programs. And while it’s an enormous amount of work for a small family team, Casey says it’s worth it every time.
“There were so many years in the beginning where we didn’t really want to do anything,” she admits. “But we just kept going, and people showed up for us. That inspired us to keep showing up for others.”
Behind the scenes, it truly is a family affair. Casey’s mom keeps everything running smoothly, her sister caters the event, and friends and volunteers pitch in wherever needed.
“We don’t have a huge staff or a big production team,” Casey says. “It’s just us and a community of people who believe in this work.”
As the fund approaches its 20-year milestone, the LeVasseur family isn’t focused on scaling bigger or faster. Instead, they’re focused on depth — creating meaningful moments and sustainable programs that change lives.
“We couldn’t have planned this journey,” Casey reflects. “The right doors opened at the right times, and the right people came alongside us.”
Carrying Alex’s Legacy Forward
Looking ahead, they hope to continue honoring Alex by supporting kids through music, skateboarding, and other passions. They also want to make space for joy and balance in their own lives, knowing that Alex would want them to truly live while they carry his legacy forward.
“If even one more life is changed because of this work,” Casey says softly “then Alex’s story continues. His life has meaning, and it keeps rippling outward.”
The Alex LeVasseur Advised Fund began as a response to unimaginable loss. But through courage, community, and love, it has become a powerful force for good.
Today, kids are thriving because of the spaces created in Alex’s memory. Teens are learning to play guitar, finding their voices, and building friendships. Families are healing together.
And Casey and her family are still there: showing up, listening, and building partnerships that make a difference.
“We don’t always get to see the full story,” Casey says. “But we know these moments matter. And that’s enough to keep going.”
Learn More or Give to Alex LeVasseur Advised Fund
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