The First 72+

What The First 72+ does

The First 72+ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered at 2915 Perdido Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization provides comprehensive wraparound reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Louisiana, with a particular focus on the critical first 72 hours after release—the period of highest recidivism risk. Core programs include rent-free transitional housing (up to 90 days across 15 beds in two houses including the 3,200 sq ft Ben Smith Welcome Home Center opened September 2023), case management by reentry coaches who are themselves formerly incarcerated, public benefits enrollment (SNAP, Medicaid), economic empowerment including low-interest loans through the Fountain Fund partnership, technology literacy, a culinary training program (Ben Smith Culinary Kitchen launched June 2025), legal clinics via the Justice and Accountability Center, and alumni programming. Specialized youth-focused programs include the B4 Youth Prevention Program and the NBA Foundation Justice-Impacted Youth Program for ages 18–30. Since 2014 the organization has served 4,500+ clients, distributed $1.5M+ in emergency financial assistance, and placed 120+ clients in jobs in 2025.

The business model is donation-and-grant-funded: services are provided free to clients, with revenue derived from individual donations (via Givebutter), foundation and corporate grants (Lauder Family Fund, NBA Foundation, Entergy/Impact 59, Baptist Community Ministries, Greater New Orleans Foundation), in-kind donations, and fundraising events including the annual 10th Anniversary Gala, weekly Fish Fry Fridays during Lent, and the NOLA to Angola bike ride. Go-to-market is community-led via a referral network spanning the Louisiana Parole Board, local attorneys, state and federal courts, legal partners, family members, prerelease facility outreach, and walk-in intake. There is no proprietary technology platform; the tech stack consists of a Webflow website, Levitate email marketing, Salsa Labs donation forms, and givebutter.com for donations. The organization employs ~16 staff, with leadership having recently transitioned: Executive Director Troy Glover departed in late 2024, co-founder Pastor Tyrone Smith returned as Co-Executive Director alongside Interim Co-Executive Director Courtney Evans, and Torrey Williams joined as Director of Economic Empowerment in June 2025.

The target customer segment is adults returning home from incarceration in Louisiana, particularly those who served long sentences (10+ years) and face structural barriers including housing discrimination, employment exclusion, lack of identification documents, outstanding fines and fees, and limited social networks. Pricing is non-transactional: all services are free to clients with no fees or co-pays, and donations to the organization are tax-deductible. Geographic scope is Louisiana-wide for prerelease outreach but concentrated in Orleans Parish for in-person service delivery. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Kelly Orians and operates without parent company or private equity ownership.

Name

The First 72+

Legal name

The First 72+

Website

https://first72plus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The First 72+ is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free wraparound reentry services—including transitional housing, case management, economic empowerment, legal aid, and youth programs—to formerly incarcerated individuals in Louisiana. Founded in 2014, it has served over 4,500 clients and is funded by donations, foundation grants, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reentry and Social Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Child and Youth Services (62411), Temporary Shelters (624221)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Workforce Reentry Programs (Justice-Involved) (EDAAAOAG), Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE)

Keywords

• Reentry support services
• Transitional housing programs
• Case management services
• Criminal justice reintegration
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting the reentry mission. Donation portal available at givebutter.com/first72plusgiving.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grants from foundations and corporations including Lauder Family Fund ($30,000 in 2021), Greater New Orleans Foundation, NBA Foundation, Entergy/Impact 59 ($3.5M+ distributed to 65 nonprofits including The First 72+), Baptist Community Ministries, and others.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fish fry fundraisers, 10th anniversary gala (The First 10+: A Decade of Change), and other community events that raise funds while building awareness.
4. Donated Services and Goods: In-kind donations of clothing, household items, food, and Amazon Wishlist contributions support client services without direct monetary exchange.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The First 72+ provides free wraparound reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in the greater New Orleans area. Core offerings include up to 90 days of rent-free transitional housing (15 beds across two houses), case management by formerly incarcerated coaches, public benefits enrollment, job placement support, financial literacy and low-interest loans via The Fountain Fund partnership, culinary and technology life skills training, free reentry legal clinics, and alumni programming. All services are provided at no cost to clients and funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

The First 72+ is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) providing wraparound reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in New Orleans. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including Pre-Release Support, Transitional Housing (with 15 beds across two houses including the Ben Smith Welcome Home Center), Case Management, Public Benefits Clinic, Technology Life Skills, Economic Empowerment, the 9 Steps to Staying Free Class, Life Skills Classes, and the Ben Smith Culinary Kitchen. Additional services include the Clothing Closet, Food Pantry, Alumni Programming, Transformative Tuesdays, and Financial Thursdays. The organization partners with The Fountain Fund for low-interest loans, the Justice and Accountability Center for legal services, and the FIT Clinic for healthcare. Specialized youth-focused programs include the B4 Youth Prevention Program and the NBA Foundation Justice-Impacted Youth Program. All programs are designed to address root causes of recidivism by providing housing, employment, benefits, financial assistance, and peer support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transitional Housing Rent-free housing for up to 90 days for formerly incarcerated individuals, providing wraparound services including meals, groceries, clothing, wifi, tablet access, and supportive services designed to help residents achieve independence. Approximately 15 beds are available across two transitional houses.
• Case Management Reentry coaches (all formerly incarcerated) assist clients with achieving self-sufficiency through connections to education, employment, healthcare, technology skills, public benefits, and long-term housing.
• Pre-Release Support Connects with currently incarcerated clients prior to release, advocating for them at parole board hearings and creating individualized reentry plans. Staff travel to correctional facilities across Louisiana for resource fairs and prerelease job fairs.
• Public Benefits Clinic One-on-one assistance with applying for government benefit programs including SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security, and more, run by the Programs Administrator.
• Technology Life Skills Classes providing basic digital literacy skills necessary to navigate society and access vital support services and resources.
• Economic Empowerment Comprehensive support addressing banking, transportation, housing, employment, credit, financial literacy, and investing. Includes partnership with Fountain Fund for low-interest loans and Financial Thursdays programming with Xplore Federal Credit Union.
• 9 Steps to Staying Free Class Weekly Wednesday class covering topics including responding versus reacting, trauma and self-care, goal-setting, and positive thinking, led by Pastor Tyrone Smith.
• Ben Smith Culinary Kitchen Industry-informed tuition-free culinary training program providing formerly incarcerated people with skills for gainful employment in the culinary and restaurant sector, teaching cooking, customer service, kitchen safety, knife skills, and menu planning.
• Life Skills Classes 10-day course acclimating clients upon return from incarceration, teaching street navigation, public transportation, employer pitching, interview preparation, resume development, and financial literacy.
• Alumni Programming Alumni+ program providing former clients opportunities to give back, grow personally and professionally, connect with other alumni, and support the next generation transitioning from incarceration.
• Ben Smith Welcome Home Center 3,200 square foot transitional housing facility home to 8 men transitioning out of prison, serving as space for culinary courses and technological literacy programs. Named in honor of founder Ben Smith.
• B4 Youth Prevention Program Preventative program addressing challenges facing Louisiana's youth through proactive mentoring, with staff and alumni visiting schools to share personal stories and inspire better choices before young people enter the justice system.
• NBA Foundation Justice-Impacted Youth Program Program supporting young adults ages 18-30 providing comprehensive reentry services, entrepreneurship training, and pathways to high-wage careers, funded by a grant from the NBA Foundation.
• Second Chance Cooking School Tuition-free culinary training program honoring founder Ben Smith, providing industry-informed training and connecting graduates to gainful employment in the culinary sector.
• Clothing Closet Provides professional clothes for work interviews as well as casual wear for clients, including both men's and women's clothing.
• Food Pantry Provides free, readily available food supplies and groceries to clients in their first days after incarceration.
• Transformative Tuesdays Weekly class helping clients identify and develop strategies like resilience, self-worth, and leadership skills.
• Financial Thursdays Weekly programming providing work readiness training and financial literacy tools, including sessions with Xplore Federal Credit Union on credit repair, budgeting, and saving.
• The Fountain Fund Partnership Partnership providing low-interest loans (3% interest) and financial literacy education to clients for starting businesses, paying off debts, or enrolling in continuing education, including consumer loans, emergency housing loans, and small business loans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 4,500+ people since founding in 2014
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• The Fountain FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing low-interest loans (3% interest) to formerly incarcerated clients for consumer loans, emergency housing loans, and small business loans. Includes financial literacy education and coaching. Coordinated by Economic Empowerment staff to help clients build credit and achieve economic stability.
• Avodah (Jewish Service Corps)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2018 sending corps members to provide capacity building support. Corps members work in various roles (Office Manager, Programs Administrator) while learning alongside staff and clients. Annual cohort of young people dedicated to service.
• Justice and Accountability Center (JAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree reentry legal services including expungement clinics, child support debt, driver's license reinstatement, TWIC denials, consumer debt, and public benefits. Monthly expungement clinics provide free legal advice. Hosted at The First 72+ campus.
• Bonvenu BanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to host Financial Literacy Seminars. Bonvenu bankers come to campus to collaborate with community members on setting short and long-term financial goals. Second seminar scheduled for June 25.
• Xplore Federal Credit UnionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts financial literacy sessions focusing on credit repair, budgeting, and saving for the future as part of Financial Thursdays programming.
• Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect connection program linking formerly incarcerated individuals with medical, mental health, and substance use treatment services in the communities they return to. Appointment scheduling through The First 72+ case managers.
• Voice of the Experienced (VOTE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host The Fair Chances Job Fair bringing conviction-friendly employers and justice-impacted individuals together. Ongoing advocacy partnership for criminal justice reform and protected class campaign.
• NOLA to AngolasecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner170-mile, 3-day bike ride from New Orleans to Angola prison chronicling the journey families take to visit incarcerated loved ones. Annual fundraiser and awareness event.
• Re-Entry Mediation Institute of Louisiana (REMILA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization facilitating conversations to rebuild supportive relationships between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. Led 9 Steps to Staying Free class about healing from trauma.
• Solitary GardenssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden beds at The First 72+ office site. Garden Manager leads hands-on sessions teaching clients how to harvest and cook from garden beds. Part of Freedom To Grow's Liberation Landscaping initiative.
• Southeast Louisiana Legal ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree reentry legal assistance provider complementary to Justice and Accountability Center services.
• Thrive New OrleanssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob training partnership providing clients with workforce credentials. Ronday secured employment through Thrive's job training program.
• Orleans Parish Sheriff's OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGala sponsor. Chief Communications Officer Casey Ferrand McGee hosted the 10th Anniversary Gala. Partnership for community education and reentry support.
• Louisiana Department of HealthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host free vaccine clinics providing flu, COVID, and monkeypox vaccines to clients, staff, and community members.
• Daughters Beyond IncarcerationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Advocate Table sponsor at 10th Anniversary Gala. Organization supporting families affected by incarceration.
• Ubuntu VillagesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Unity in the Community events bringing together local organizations for neighborhood celebrations.
• AetnasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare coverage education and preventative care information presented at 9 Steps to Staying Free classes.
• No Wrap No Tap NOLAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides preventative sexual healthcare services through testing, education, and peer support groups to the Black community of New Orleans.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit focused on employment placement and retention for people returning home from incarceration. Comparable as a reentry services provider with strong workforce development orientation and similar evidence-based outcomes approach.
• The Fortune Society: New York-based nonprofit providing comprehensive reentry services including housing, workforce development, and case management for formerly incarcerated individuals. Directly comparable as a wraparound reentry model with similar service breadth and peer-support philosophy.
• Root & Rebound: California-based reentry legal services and advocacy organization supporting formerly incarcerated people with legal barriers, housing, and employment. Comparable in providing reentry legal services and policy advocacy focus.
• Osborne Association: New York-based reentry and family services nonprofit operating housing programs, alternatives to incarceration, and workforce programs for justice-involved individuals. Comparable scope across reentry housing, advocacy, and family reunification.
• Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC): California-based reentry advocacy and support organization led by formerly incarcerated leaders. Comparable in lived-experience leadership model and comprehensive reentry support approach.
• A New Way of Life: Los Angeles-based reentry nonprofit providing transitional housing, case management, and legal services for women and men returning from incarceration. Directly comparable wraparound model with housing and peer-support components.
• Council on Crime and Justice: Minneapolis-based reentry services nonprofit providing case management, employment, and victim/offender reconciliation services. Comparable community-based reentry nonprofit with similar service portfolio.
• Voice of the Experienced (VOTE): Louisiana-based formerly incarcerated-led advocacy and reentry organization. Directly comparable as a peer advocacy and reentry support organization in the same geography, with overlapping partnerships (e.g., Fair Chances Job Fair co-hosted with The First 72+).

Emerging players

• Recidiviz: Tech-enabled criminal-justice data and reentry outcomes platform partnering with state DOCs to reduce incarceration. Adjacent rather than directly competing, but represents the data/technology layer that The First 72+ lacks in its service model.

Others

• The Fountain Fund: New Orleans-based nonprofit providing low-interest loans to formerly incarcerated people. Currently a strategic partner of The First 72+; classified as OTHERS due to complementary rather than directly competing role, but functionally adjacent in serving the same population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/first72plus
• Facebookfacebook.com/First72Plus
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefirst72plus
• TikToktiktok.com/@first72plus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-first-72

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 The First 72+