Nechama

What Nechama does

Nechama is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that delivers disaster response and recovery services to Jewish and interfaith communities across the United States. Its core product is the rapid mobilization of volunteer teams to disaster-affected regions to perform cleanup, debris removal, and rebuilding assistance following hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. The organization has operated for more than 33 years across 35 states and has engaged over 3,000 volunteers in the past five years, generating more than $10 million in volunteer labor value.

The operating model is community-led: Nechama coordinates deployments through institutional partnerships with Jewish Federations, synagogues, and interfaith coalitions, sending trained volunteer crews into affected areas with logistics support from a permanent staff of 1–10 employees. Recent deployments include extended Hurricane Helene relief operations from October 2024 through December 2025 and prior Puerto Rico earthquake response. The organization has expanded its programmatic surface with the launch of a Combating Antisemitism Program, moving beyond purely reactive disaster response.

Revenue is donation-driven, sourced from foundation grants (notably a $500,000 capacity-building grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc.), individual contributions, bequests (including a $100,000 gift from the Estate of Miriam Segall), and federation allocations. Current annual operating budget is approximately $1.6 million, with a publicly stated strategic plan to scale to $4.0 million and double the operations team under the leadership of CEO Stephan Kline (appointed February 2024) and Operations Director Dorothy Maples.

Name

Nechama

Legal name

NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster

Website

https://nechama.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nechama is a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that mobilizes volunteer teams for disaster response and recovery across 35 U.S. states, serving Jewish and interfaith communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Relief Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disaster Recovery & Restoration General Contracting (IMAFAAAJ), Natural Disaster Preparedness & Recovery (Storm/Flood/Wildfire) (BPABANAI), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)

Keywords

• Disaster response services
• Volunteer deployment programs
• Community rebuilding services
• Flood recovery operations
• Disaster relief organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: NECHAMA accepts one-time and recurring donations from individuals. Donors can contribute through the website using donation platforms, and funds support immediate disaster response operations including tools, safety equipment, travel, lodging, and volunteer infrastructure.
2. Foundation and Institutional Grants: NECHAMA receives grants from foundations and institutional donors including Lilly Endowment Inc. ($500,000 capacity building grant), Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation, Jack Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Jewish Federations of North America, Klarman Family Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Russel Berrie Foundation, S. Mark Taper Foundation, Tzedek Social Justice Foundation, and UJA-Federation of New York.
3. Legacy and Planned Gifts: NECHAMA receives bequests and legacy gifts from donors, such as the $100,000 estate gift from Miriam Segall z''l, supporting long-term organizational sustainability.
4. Group and Organizational Fundraising: NECHAMA supports volunteers and supporters who create their own fundraising pages to engage their communities and raise funds for the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NECHAMA mobilizes trained volunteers to perform direct, on-the-ground disaster recovery work in U.S. communities affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Core activities include mucking and gutting damaged homes, debris removal, chainsaw work, drywall installation, painting, flooring, and roof repair. The organization also deploys solar energy stations for emergency power and provides sustained long-term rebuilding support over months to years.

Product overview

NECHAMA (Jewish Response to Disaster) is the only national Jewish disaster relief organization, operating as a single integrated service rather than a platform. The organization offers hands-on disaster response and recovery services powered by Jewish values, coordinating trained volunteers to help communities across the United States recover from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. The core offering consists of volunteer deployment programs where individuals and groups receive training and equipment to perform physical recovery work including mucking and gutting damaged homes, debris removal, and rebuilding. Supporting resources include deployment manuals for individuals and organizations, extreme weather safety guides (heat, tornado), a combating antisemitism program, and Jewish education resources that connect disaster relief to Jewish traditions and values. The organization also facilitates donations through integrated payment platforms and maintains partnerships with various Jewish and interfaith organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hands-on Disaster Response and Recovery NECHAMA mobilizes trained volunteers to provide direct, on-the-ground disaster recovery assistance for communities affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Services include mucking and gutting flood-damaged homes, debris removal, chainsaw work, drywall installation, painting, flooring, and roof repair, delivered at no cost to affected homeowners.
• Volunteer Deployment Program Coordinates individual volunteers, group delegations, and organizational partners for disaster response deployments. Provides hands-on training, tools, safety equipment, and experienced team leadership for volunteers participating in recovery work across the United States.
• Combating Antisemitism Program Initiative addressing the rise of antisemitism that has been directly linked to natural disasters. Includes educational resources, community initiatives, and advocacy tools for Jewish institutions and disaster-affected communities, leveraging NECHAMA's visible Jewish presence in disaster zones as a counter to antisemitism.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10M+ in volunteer labor value provided to communities
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Lutheran Disaster ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith partner during Hurricane Helene response in Western North Carolina. Lutheran Disaster Services mobilized volunteers and collaborated on debris removal and home rebuilding efforts across Henderson, Buncombe, McDowell, and Transylvania Counties.
• Week of CompassioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner during Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina deployment. Provided volunteer mobilization support as part of the interfaith coalition responding to the catastrophic hurricane.
• SEWA International USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization during Hurricane Helene response that helped mobilize volunteers and resources for disaster recovery in Western North Carolina communities.
• Orthodox Union Relief MissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Jewish partner for volunteer mobilization. OU Relief Missions organized delegations including Ramaz Upper School students for Western North Carolina deployments and collaborates on regular service trips.
• JDC EntwinesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish partner organization that engaged young Jewish adults in volunteer service during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.
• Moishe HousesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish young adult organization that contributed volunteers to Hurricane Helene disaster response in Western North Carolina.
• Housing Assistance CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey local partner in Western North Carolina that anchored rebuilding success during Hurricane Helene response. Collaborated on long-term recovery housing projects.
• Habitat for Humanity of Transylvania CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal housing nonprofit partner during Hurricane Helene recovery that worked alongside NECHAMA on home rebuilding initiatives in Transylvania County.
• WNC Team RubiconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided vital chainsaw training during Hurricane Helene response, enabling NECHAMA to take on complex, high-scope projects requiring specialized equipment and skills.
• JCC of AshevillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Community Center that provided essential initial office space and power to NECHAMA teams in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, enabling rapid response coordination.
• Jewish Family Services of WNCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that provided initial office space and power after Hurricane Helene, supporting NECHAMA's ability to establish operations quickly in Western North Carolina.
• SUNY and CUNY UniversitiessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partners during Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Recovery project. Hosted hundreds of college student volunteers each summer for extended rebuild project in communities including Guaynabo and Loiza.
• TOV Volunteer NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization during Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Recovery project. Contributed volunteers and resources to the extended rebuild efforts alongside NECHAMA teams.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps NCCC teams partnered with NECHAMA during Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria recovery and Michigan Flood Response. Members provided sustained volunteer support for long-term recovery projects.
• NCSY Relief MissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish youth organization partner during Hurricane Ida Response in Louisiana and Puerto Rico Recovery. Mobilized teen and young adult volunteers for hands-on disaster recovery.
• IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith partner for multiple deployments including Cedar Rapids Derecho Assessment and Southern Minnesota Response. Provided assessment support and volunteer coordination for flood response efforts.
• ICNA Relief USAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuslim disaster relief organization that partnered with NECHAMA during Waseca, MN Flood Response, exemplifying interfaith cooperation with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim organizations working together.
• The Footprint ProjectsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner during Puerto Rico Earthquakes Assessment that provided emergency solar energy solutions. Installed solar stations at six locations supporting over 300 individuals without access to electricity.
• Presbyterian Homes and ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner during COVID-19 Community Response in Minneapolis. NECHAMA delivered Life Enrichment Survival Kits to all 48 PHS sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
• World Central KitchensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner during Hurricane Francine Relief delivering 1,400 emergency meals to affected communities in Louisiana alongside Ground Force Humanitarian Relief and Culture Aid NOLA.
• Rebuilding Together New OrleanssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner during Hurricane Francine Relief that collaborated on debris removal and mucking and gutting homes in Terrebonne Parish.
• The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York CitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian housing organization partnered with Rebuilding New York club founded by volunteer Joseph Kaufthal. Continued interfaith disaster relief and housing efforts on Veterans Day.
• Give LivelycoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline donation processing platform used by NECHAMA. Provides secure payment processing for individual donations with PCI-compliant secure payment handling.
• GiveMNcoreTechnology or IntegrationMinnesota-specific online donation platform for processing donations to NECHAMA with secure payment processing capabilities.
• FunraisecoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation platform used by NECHAMA for online fundraising including donation processing and fundraising page creation.
• CauseMatchsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationJewish-focused donation platform used by NECHAMA for processing designated donations including Venezuela Earthquake Relief.
• MailchimpcoreTechnology or IntegrationEmail newsletter and communications platform used to manage Stay Connected email list for deployment alerts and updates.
• SalesforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationCRM platform used for volunteer reports and donation tracking, managing relationships with volunteers and donors.
• Google AnalyticscoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite analytics platform providing anonymized usage data, IP address tracking, and pages visited reports for website performance analysis.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Samaritan's Purse: Faith-based disaster relief organization providing volunteer-driven home rebuilding and debris removal after US disasters. Comparable to NECHAMA in faith-driven volunteer mobilization and hands-on recovery work.
• All Hands and Hearts: Volunteer-powered disaster relief nonprofit that mobilizes trained volunteers for hands-on mucking, gutting, debris removal, and rebuilding of disaster-affected homes. Most direct operational peer to NECHAMA's core service model.
• AmeriCorps NCCC: Federal residential volunteer corps deploying teams for disaster recovery and community service. NECHAMA is a core host partner for AmeriCorps NCCC teams during Hurricane Maria and Michigan Flood responses.
• Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer-driven home rebuilding nonprofit with national scale and disaster recovery programs. NECHAMA already partners with Habitat affiliates in WNC, and the organizations share a hands-on rebuild model for disaster-affected homeowners.
• ICNA Relief USA: Muslim faith-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization providing emergency response and recovery services in the US. Direct peer; NECHAMA partnered with ICNA Relief during the Waseca, MN flood response.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led disaster response organization providing chainsaw, debris removal, and home repair services. Direct operational peer; NECHAMA partners with Team Rubicon for specialized chainsaw training during Hurricane Helene.
• Lutheran Disaster Services: Faith-based disaster response network mobilizing Lutheran congregations for volunteer deployment and rebuilding. Direct peer; NECHAMA is an active interfaith partner during Hurricane Helene.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Large national faith-based social services network with disaster case management and recovery programs. Comparable as a faith-based disaster response and social services organization, though broader in mission.
• American Red Cross: The largest US humanitarian disaster relief organization, providing emergency shelter, supplies, and recovery support. Comparable to NECHAMA as a national-scale disaster response nonprofit, though vastly larger and more diversified.
• Jewish Federations of North America: National umbrella organization for the Jewish federation system, providing major funding and institutional backing to NECHAMA. Comparable as the broader ecosystem within which NECHAMA operates and sources institutional support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nechama

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Nechama