The Nola Coalition

What The Nola Coalition does

The Nola Coalition is a New Orleans-based nonprofit civic action coalition founded in July 2022 in response to record levels of violence that earned the city the designation of 'Murder Capital of the United States' with 265 homicides. The coalition operates a dual-track model: a near-term public safety track focused on supporting NOPD recruitment and retention, advancing constitutional technology adoption, and driving criminal justice accountability; and a long-term youth investment track with a stated goal of raising $15 million over three years to fund community-based youth service organizations. As of July 2025, the coalition comprises over 600 member organizations spanning nonprofits, civic groups, and businesses, representing tens of thousands of regional employees.

The coalition generates no commercial revenue and does not develop proprietary technology. Its funding model is philanthropic: corporate donors, private foundations, and individuals contribute to a pooled fund, which is distributed to over two dozen Orleans Parish youth-serving program providers through a grant-making process administered in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Major donors include IMTT ($1M), the Palmisano Foundation ($750K), Latter & Blum ($500K), and T. Parker Host ($500K). The coalition's operations are supported administratively by Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.), with President and CEO Michael Hecht serving as a primary spokesperson and organizer.

The coalition claims measurable public safety outcomes since its founding: a 67% decrease in overall violent crime, 68% decrease in homicides (excluding 14 victims of the January 2025 terror attack), 57% decrease in shootings, and 79% decrease in carjackings. On the youth services side, the coalition has raised $11.1 million toward its $15 million goal and funded programs that have served over 5,300 youth in its first grant cycle. The organization does not have traditional equity ownership and operates as a member-governed coalition rather than a corporate entity, limiting direct applicability of venture or buyout investment frameworks.

Name

The Nola Coalition

Legal name

The Nola Coalition

Website

https://nolacoalition.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Nola Coalition is a New Orleans-based nonprofit civic coalition of over 600 organizations that pools philanthropic and corporate resources to reduce violent crime and invest in youth services across Orleans Parish.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Coalition and Public Safety Advocacy

NAICS

Other Social Advocacy Organizations (813319), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAM

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAFAJ

Democracy, Voting Rights & Civic Participation Advocacy

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGADAI

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Civic coalition organizing
• Youth services grants
• Public safety advocacy
• Nonprofit fundraising coalition
• Community violence prevention

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations: The Nola Coalition raises funds from corporate donors, private foundations, and individuals to support youth service organizations in New Orleans. The coalition has a stated goal of $15 million raised over three years (2022-2025) from private and philanthropic sources. Funds are distributed to Orleans Parish youth-serving program providers through a grant-making process administered in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Nola Coalition is a civic action coalition of over 600 nonprofit, civic, and business organizations in New Orleans that mobilizes collective resources around two tracks: (1) near-term public safety advocacy supporting NOPD recruitment, retention, technology adoption, and criminal justice reform, and (2) a $15 million fundraising commitment over three years to fund youth-serving nonprofit organizations through grants administered in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Product overview

The NOLA Coalition is a civic organization, not a technology company. It does not offer a software product or platform. The organization operates as a coalition of over 600 nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses focused on two concurrent tracks: (1) public safety initiatives including advocacy for NOPD recruitment, retention, technology adoption, and criminal justice reform, and (2) investment in youth services through a $15 million fundraising goal over three years to support youth-serving nonprofit organizations in New Orleans. The Coalition publishes accountability dashboards and reports but does not offer a product in the traditional software sense.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Services Grant Program
• Public Safety Advocacy Initiative
• Coalition Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 67% reduction in overall violent crime since July 2022
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• United Way of Southeast LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 October 2023United Way administers grants for the NOLA Coalition, distributing funds to Orleans Parish nonprofits. Over $900,000 was distributed through this process in the first year, with United Way vetting applicants based on leadership, financial management, and contributions to high-need communities.
• Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGNO, Inc. is closely affiliated with the NOLA Coalition, with Michael Hecht serving as President and CEO of GNO, Inc. and one of the coalition's key organizers. GNO, Inc. provides administrative support and leadership for the coalition.
• New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NOPD is the primary beneficiary of the coalition's public safety advocacy. The coalition supported the national search for Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, advocated for pay increases and retention bonuses, and helped secure funding for technology and equipment upgrades.
• Business Council of New Orleans and the River RegionkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Business Council partnered with the NOLA Coalition on initiatives including the national search for NOPD Superintendent, led by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The Business Council's Criminal Justice Task Force coordinates with the coalition on public safety priorities.
• NAACP New Orleans Branch, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Crime Commission, and otherskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe coalition works in partnership with major civic organizations including NAACP, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of New Orleans, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and Metropolitan Crime Commission on joint statements and initiatives related to public safety and youth recreation.
• Governor Jeff Landry / State of LouisianakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernor Jeff Landry deployed Troop NOLA, a specialized unit of Louisiana State Police, to work in partnership with NOPD and community stakeholders. The coalition recognizes state support as essential to sustaining improved public safety.
• Orleans Parish District Attorney's OfficekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe coalition partners with the DA's office on the NODICE (New Orleans Data Informed Community Engagement) initiative, leading neighborhood tours in high-crime areas and hosting summits to connect communities with resources including job training, financial tools, and youth programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Emerging players

• Son of a Saint: New Orleans-based nonprofit providing mentorship and support services to fatherless boys, listed as a NOLA Coalition-funded youth service provider. Comparable as a youth-focused nonprofit in the NOLA Coalition's grant portfolio and beneficiary of coalition funding.
• Roca: Massachusetts-based violence intervention and prevention organization operating in multiple states. Comparable as a high-impact nonprofit focused on serving high-risk young people through cognitive behavioral therapy, workforce development, and reentry services, with similar outcome measurement approaches.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana: Regional youth development nonprofit providing afterschool programming, mentoring, and youth services in the New Orleans area. Comparable as a youth services delivery organization in the same geography, potentially receiving NOLA Coalition grant funding.

Direct peers

• Cities United: National initiative working with mayors and city leaders to reduce gun-related deaths of young men of color. Comparable in its coalition-building model and dual focus on public safety intervention and youth investment, though operating at national scale across multiple cities.
• Greater New Orleans Foundation: Regional philanthropic foundation serving the New Orleans area, listed as an alternative donation channel for the NOLA Coalition. Comparable as a community foundation with overlapping grant-making priorities in youth services and civic causes.
• Chicago CRED (now UParticular): Chicago-based violence prevention coalition focused on reducing gun violence through group violence intervention, youth employment, and community partnerships. Directly comparable as a city-level civic coalition uniting nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses around public safety and youth opportunity.
• Metropolitan Crime Commission: New Orleans-based nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform, public safety policy, and crime data transparency. Directly comparable as a NOLA civic organization working on overlapping public safety and criminal justice accountability priorities, and listed as a NOLA Coalition partner.
• United Way of Southeast Louisiana: Core strategic partner administering NOLA Coalition grants to youth-serving nonprofits. Directly comparable as a community-based philanthropic intermediary with similar grant-making, donor stewardship, and coalition-building functions in the New Orleans market.

Others

• National Civic League: National nonprofit advocating for democratic governance, civic engagement, and community coalition-building. Comparable as an adjacent infrastructure organization that supports coalition models and civic collaboration, though not directly focused on public safety outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• National Network for Safe Communities: National organization at John Jay College implementing group violence intervention and related public safety strategies in cities across the US. Comparable as a thought leader and technical assistance provider for the violence-reduction methodology the Nola Coalition supports in NOLA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Nola Coalition