Youth Empowerment Project

Name

Youth Empowerment Project

Legal name

Youth Empowerment Project

Website

https://youthempowermentproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Contracts: Approximately 50% of annual budget comes from public contracts with local and state government agencies
2. Private Philanthropy: Approximately 50% of annual budget raised from private philanthropy including individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships
3. Social Enterprise - Bike Works: Full-service bicycle repair shop providing work-based learning while generating retail revenue
4. Social Enterprise - Thrift Works: Clothing, furniture, and household thrift store providing customer service and retail experience for youth

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a community-based nonprofit that engages underserved young people through free education, mentoring, employment readiness, and enrichment programs. It operates four core programs (YEP Educates, YEP Enriches, YEP Mentors, YEP Works) alongside two work-based learning social enterprises (Bike Works bicycle repair shop and Thrift Works thrift store), delivering services at five locations across 13 parishes in the Greater New Orleans region.

Product overview

Youth Empowerment Project is a community-based nonprofit organization providing comprehensive youth development services through four core programs (YEP Educates, YEP Enriches, YEP Mentors, and YEP Works) and two social enterprises (Bike Works and Thrift Works). The organization serves underserved young people disconnected from school and work, offering education, enrichment activities, mentoring, and employment readiness training across multiple locations in the Greater New Orleans area. Additionally, YEP operates fundraising events including an annual gala and the Luncheon of Champions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YEP Educates: Adult education program offering high school equivalency (HiSET) diploma preparation
• YEP Enriches
• YEP Mentors
• YEP Works
• Bike Works
• Thrift Works

Products and services

• YEP Educates

Quantifiable outcome

• 831 High School Equivalency Diplomas Earned
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, champion and minor.

• Ochsner HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 20th Anniversary Celebration at Smoothie King Center; Champion sponsor for Luncheon of Champions; 2026 Official Summer Camp Transportation Sponsor partner; honored at inaugural Luncheon of Champions
• Avondale Global Gateway/T. Parker HostchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion sponsor for Luncheon of Champions; workforce development guest speaker for YEP Works
• Link Stryjewski FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided cuisine for Patron Party at 20th Anniversary Celebration
• Link Restaurant GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided cuisine for Patron Party
• Moët HennessyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampagne sponsor for Patron Party
• Robin BarnesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided music entertainment for Patron Party
• HotardminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Official Summer Camp Transportation Sponsor providing field trip transportation
• The 18th WardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeaching soccer fundamentals to YEP Enriches campers; participating in flag football games
• SURGE EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted summer camp field trip for YEP participants
• HandsOn New OrleansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteered for summer camp preparation
• United Way of Southeast LouisianaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteered for summer camp preparation
• FIFA World CupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEngaging youth in soccer activities through FIFA World Cup excitement

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• College Track: Nonprofit supporting students from underserved communities through college access, persistence, and career readiness programming. Comparable in education-to-workforce pipeline mission, though focused more on postsecondary than HSE/employment.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit serving young adults aged 18–24 with training, mentoring, and corporate internships. Comparable in the YEP Works segment at broader national scale and with deeper corporate employer partnerships.
• National Youth Advocate Program: National nonprofit providing community-based services for at-risk youth and families, including mentoring, workforce, and education supports. Comparable in holistic wraparound model for vulnerable youth at larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater New Orleans: Local mentoring nonprofit pairing youth with adult volunteer mentors, mirroring YEP Mentors' core model. Operates in the same metro and competes for the same volunteer mentor and donor pools.
• Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana: Regional human services nonprofit providing workforce development, housing, and youth/family programs in Southeast Louisiana. Comparable in funding mix (public + private) and in serving opportunity youth and adults.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana: Regional affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving youth in the Greater New Orleans area with after-school, enrichment, and mentoring programming. Closely comparable in target population, programming mix, and regional footprint.
• Café Reconcile: New Orleans-based nonprofit social enterprise that trains at-risk youth in the hospitality industry through a working restaurant. Closely comparable to YEP's social-enterprise approach (Bike Works / Thrift Works) as a workforce training vehicle.
• Covenant House New Orleans: New Orleans-based nonprofit serving disconnected and at-risk youth with shelter, education, and workforce programs. Operates in the same geography with overlapping mission around youth homelessness, education, and employment readiness.
• Children's Bureau of New Orleans: New Orleans-based nonprofit providing child welfare, family support, and youth development services. Comparable mission around vulnerable youth and family stability in the same regional market.
• YouthBuild New Orleans: Workforce development and alternative education program for opportunity youth aged 16–24, combining construction skills training with HiSET preparation. Directly comparable to YEP Works and YEP Educates for the out-of-school youth segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Youthempowermentprojectyep
• Facebookfacebook.com/YEPNOLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yepnola
• Instagraminstagram.com/yepnola
• Xx.com/yepnola

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Youth Empowerment Project