Hogs For The Cause
Hogs For The Cause is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds families of children with pediatric brain cancer through a large annual barbecue and music festival, a 12-state Trail of Barbecue restaurant network, direct family grants, on-campus Hogs Houses, and capital grants to pediatric oncology hospital programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersNew Orleans, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hogs For The Cause does
Hogs For The Cause is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2009 in New Orleans by Becker Hall and Rene Louapre, originally as a pig roast to support the family of a five-year-old boy battling pediatric brain cancer. The organization has since evolved into the self-described premier nationwide funding source for pediatric brain cancer outreach services, distributing over $18.5 million in grants to families and hospital programs through five core programs: the annual Hogs for the Cause Festival (a barbecue and music competition attracting 30,000+ attendees, 90+ teams, and 20+ bands that raised a record $3.6 million in 2023), the Trail of Barbecue restaurant network spanning 12 states, free on-campus family housing at built and operated Hogs Houses, unrestricted direct family grants (over 2,400 grants totaling more than $3.15 million), and direct capital and program funding to pediatric oncology units at children's hospitals.
The organization generates revenue through tax-deductible individual donations (online, check, stock, Donor-Advised Funds), corporate matching programs, point-of-sale round-up and featured menu items at Trail of Barbecue partner restaurants, annual festival ticket and sponsorship revenue, and community-led backyard BBQ and tailgate fundraisers. Distribution of funds flows to two primary segments: families of children with pediatric brain cancer (direct financial assistance for medical, travel, and lodging costs not covered by insurance) and children's hospitals and pediatric oncology programs (capital projects such as Hogs Houses, renovated oncology units, cell banks, and social services funds). Major hospital partners include Children's Hospital New Orleans, Our Lady of the Lake, Johns Hopkins All Children's, Prisma Health, East Tennessee Children's, Children's Medical Center Plano, Dell Children's, Texas Children's, Children's of Mississippi, Children's Hospital Colorado, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
The organization is governed by co-founders Becker Hall (CEO) and Rene Louapre (COO) with Zandy Rainold as CFO, operates with 1-10 employees from a New Orleans mailing address (P.O. Box 792300), and holds IRS Tax ID 32-0273586. Recent strategic activity centers on geographic expansion into Texas ($3.5 million committed across three hospital systems) and Florida (first Hogs House outside Louisiana), the May 2026 launch of the Trail of Barbecue as a year-round fundraising channel, and deepened institutional partnerships involving naming rights at pediatric oncology centers.
Hogs For The Cause firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hogs For The Cause
- Legal name
- Hogs for the Cause
- Website
- https://hogsforthecause.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hogs For The Cause is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds families of children with pediatric brain cancer through a large annual barbecue and music festival, a 12-state Trail of Barbecue restaurant network, direct family grants, on-campus Hogs Houses, and capital grants to pediatric oncology hospital programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Hogs For The Cause is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Orleans
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hogs For The Cause business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from the general public to support pediatric brain cancer family assistance. Accepts online donations, checks, stock donations, and Donor-Advised Fund contributions.
- Festival Revenue: Revenue from the annual Hogs for the Cause Festival featuring barbecue competitions, live music, and fundraising activities. The festival attracts over 30,000 attendees with 90+ competing barbecue teams and 20+ bands.
- Trail of Barbecue Partnership Donations: Restaurant partners on the Trail of Barbecue collect donations through point-of-sale donation collection, round-up campaigns, featured menu items, and hosted fundraising events. Restaurants include Home Team BBQ, Pinkerton's Barbecue, The Shed, Goldee's BBQ, and others across 12 states.
- Corporate Matching Programs: Many large companies match employee fundraising contributions dollar for dollar, amplifying individual donor impact.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Hogs For The Cause product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hogs For The Cause is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to families of children battling pediatric brain cancer and to pediatric oncology hospital programs. It operates an annual barbecue and music festival, a nationwide Trail of Barbecue restaurant network, free on-campus family housing (Hogs Houses), no-strings-attached direct family grants, and capital grants to children's hospitals. Since 2009 it has distributed over $18.5 million in grants to families and hospital programs.
Product overview
Hogs for the Cause is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates primarily as a fundraising and grant-making entity rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include: the Annual Festival (a BBQ and music competition attracting 30,000+ attendees), the Trail of Barbecue (a network of 12+ partner restaurants nationwide), Hogs Houses (free family housing at children's hospitals), Direct Family Grants (financial assistance to families), and Hospital Programs Funding (support for pediatric oncology units). The organization began in 2009 as a pig roast fundraiser and has since distributed over $18.5 million to families and hospitals nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Trail of Barbecue: A nationwide movement connecting restaurants coast to coast in support of families battling pediatric cancer, launched in May 2026. Restaurants participate through featured menu items, round-up campaigns, backyard fundraisers, events, and direct donations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $18.5M distributed to families and hospital programs since 2009
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hogs For The Cause
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hogs For The Cause technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hogs For The Cause partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and flagship.
- Home Team BBQ (South Carolina)coreTrail of Barbecue partner hosting annual Rock the Block fundraiser. Has collectively raised over $650,000 for Hogs for the Cause. Located in Charleston, SC.
- Children's Medical Center Planomajor$2M commitment to expand Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Part of $3.5M Texas expansion including Dell Children's Medical Center ($500K) and Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center ($1M).
- Dell Children's Medical Center, Austincore$500K donation to support addition of first PET scanner, expanding access to critical child-centered cancer care in Central Texas.
- Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, Houstoncore$1M commitment as part of $3.5M Texas expansion to support pediatric cancer and hematology care.
- East Tennessee Children's Hospitalmajor$1M gift for Hematology Oncology Center renovation and expansion. Includes larger infusion area, new procedure rooms, and redesigned family spaces. Center renamed 'Hogs for the Cause Hematology Oncology Center.'
- Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Upstatemajor$1M donation funded new Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit. 7,500 sq ft state-of-the-art facility provides critical care to nearly 12,000 pediatric patients annually across North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina.
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburgmajor$1M donation to renovate existing apartments into new Patient Housing. Creates 4 apartments with 6 total bedrooms, children's wellness garden. First Hogs House outside Louisiana, marking $12.5M in total grants.
- Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, Baton RougecoreSecond Hogs House opened in 2024 at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital. $2.3M investment for on-campus housing. Both Louisiana Hogs Houses at full capacity since opening.
- Children's Hospital New Orleans (Manning Family Children's)coreFirst Hogs House built at Children's Hospital New Orleans in 2018. $2.55M total investment including on-campus housing providing free accommodation for families traveling for pediatric treatment. Both Hogs Houses in Louisiana at full capacity since opening.
- Children's of Mississippimajor$1.5M donation for complete renovation of 22,500 sq ft Hematology & Oncology Unit in Jackson, MS.
- Children's Hospital Coloradocore$1.1M donation for creation of centralized cell bank for Pediatric Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders research.
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)core$800K for pediatric oncology patient care. Celebration Area established in Team Foxeria del Sol's name. Additional $75K for Scottish Rite campus and $50K for AFLAC Cancer Center patient room.
- Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospitalcore$200K for Hogs for the Cause Family and Patient Fund providing oncology patient families assistance for needs not covered by insurance.
- Ochsner Hospital For Childrencore$165K for Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program supporting construction of Stem Cell Recovery rooms and Pediatric Piggy Bank.
- The Cure Starts Nowminor$100K donation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research Grants.
- Duke Children's Hospitalminor$10K donation to Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Fund.
- Pinkerton's Barbecue (Texas)flagshipEarly flagship Trail of Barbecue partner. Founded 2016 by Grant Pinkerton. Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints every year 2017-2024. Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024-2025. During May BBQ Month, every Glazed and Confused cocktail sold benefits Hogs. Three locations in Houston and San Antonio.
- The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint (Mississippi)coreTrail of Barbecue partner. 3x Grand Champion at Memphis in May World Championship (2015, 2018, 2024), including Whole Hog category 2024. Family-run joint in Ocean Springs, MS. Guests can round up bills at register.
- Goldee's BBQ (Texas)coreTrail of Barbecue partner. Michelin Bib Gourmand, Texas Monthly #1 barbecue joint. Family-run pitmaster operation in Fort Worth. Guests can round up bills to support Hogs.
- Blood Brothers BBQ (Texas)coreTrail of Barbecue partner in Bellaire, TX. Guests can round up bills to support Hogs for the Cause and families battling pediatric brain cancer.
- Cochon King BBQ (Louisiana)coreTrail of Barbecue partner. Family-run joint on Franklin Avenue in Gentilly, New Orleans. Only BBQ spot in New Orleans cooking whole hogs. Guests can round up bills for Hogs.
- Gonzo's Smokehouse (Louisiana)minorTrail of Barbecue partner in Luling, LA. Family-run pit shop. Top Taco NOLA champion. Special events include Smoked Pork Cheek Taco Thursday with 100% of sales going to Hogs.
- Blue Oak BBQ (Louisiana/Alabama)coreTrail of Barbecue partner across Louisiana and Alabama.
- Wright's Barbecue (Arkansas)coreTrail of Barbecue partner in Arkansas.
- Das BBQ (Georgia)coreTrail of Barbecue partner in Georgia.
- Sugarfire Smokehouse (Missouri)coreTrail of Barbecue partner in Missouri.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hogs For The Cause competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: A pediatric cancer nonprofit focused on research funding and family support. Comparable as a peer organization in the same pediatric cancer fundraising space with overlapping hospital and family support programs.
- The Cure Starts Now: A pediatric brain cancer research charity that Hogs for the Cause has actively funded. Comparable as a mission-aligned peer organization focused on the same disease and beneficiary population.
- CureSearch for Children's Cancer: A children's cancer nonprofit that funds research and supports families. Comparable to Hogs for the Cause as a similarly positioned childhood cancer charity competing for the same donor and corporate partnership pools.
- Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: A childhood cancer research and awareness nonprofit with a strong community-fundraising model. Comparable to Hogs for the Cause in the way it leverages grassroots fundraising events and community engagement to drive donations.
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: A leading childhood cancer nonprofit that funds research and provides family support. Directly comparable to Hogs for the Cause as a pediatric cancer-focused charity that raises funds through community-driven events and direct family grants.
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: The largest patient-founded nonprofit dedicated to pediatric brain tumors. Directly comparable to Hogs for the Cause given the matching focus on pediatric brain cancer and family support services.
Broad incumbents
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The largest and most established pediatric cancer research and treatment institution in the US. Relevant peer because it absorbs a major share of corporate giving and donor mindshare in the same pediatric cancer space Hogs for the Cause competes in.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities: A large-scale nonprofit providing free housing for families with sick children near hospitals. Comparable to Hogs for the Cause's Hogs Houses program as the dominant player in the family-lodging category that Hogs for the Cause is expanding into.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: A well-known nonprofit supporting children with critical illnesses, including pediatric cancer. Comparable as a peer in the broader landscape of pediatric disease-related nonprofits competing for corporate partnerships and donor attention.
Emerging players
- Children's Oncology Group: A cooperative research organization that supports pediatric cancer research and clinical trials across children's hospitals. Comparable as a peer to Hogs for the Cause given overlapping hospital partners and shared mission focus on pediatric cancer outcomes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hogs For The Cause social profiles
Digital presenceHogs For The Cause compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Hogs For The Cause financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hogs For The Cause leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hogs For The Cause funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hogs For The Cause M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hogs For The Cause
What does Hogs For The Cause do?
Hogs For The Cause is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to families of children battling pediatric brain cancer and to pediatric oncology hospital programs. It operates an annual barbecue and music festival, a nationwide Trail of Barbecue restaurant network, free on-campus family housing (Hogs Houses), no-strings-attached direct family grants, and capital grants to children's hospitals. Since 2009 it has distributed over $18.5 million in grants to families and hospital programs.
Is Hogs For The Cause a public or private company?
Hogs For The Cause is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hogs For The Cause founded?
Hogs For The Cause was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hogs For The Cause based?
Hogs For The Cause is headquartered in New Orleans, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hogs For The Cause make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are festival Revenue, trail of Barbecue Partnership Donations and corporate Matching Programs.
Who are Hogs For The Cause's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, The Cure Starts Now, CureSearch for Children's Cancer, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Broad incumbents are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Children's Oncology Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hogs For The Cause have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hogs For The Cause.