The Nehemiah Project LA

What The Nehemiah Project LA does

The Nehemiah Project LA (NPLA), legally Nehemiah Project LA, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Whittier, California, founded in 2017 by Bishop Ed Smith originally as a ministry outreach of Zoe Christian Fellowship and incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2021. The organization serves transition-age youth (TAY), primarily single women ages 20-26, who have aged out of the Los Angeles County foster care system without family support. Its flagship program, the Dream Chasers Housing Program, provides a 2-year permanent supportive housing placement in SPA 7 of Los Angeles County, supplemented by weekly case management, mental and behavioral health services, financial literacy training, life skills workshops, education and career assistance, and a TAY Resource Referral Service that connects residents with partner organizations for food, housing, and transportation.

NPLA also operates a Collaborative Network supporting other nonprofits serving TAYs, and runs Nehemiah Coffee, a subscription-based social enterprise ($50/month) that channels revenue to global coffee farming communities, Eleos Ministries in Kansas City, and NPLA's own programs. The technology stack is limited to standard nonprofit tooling: SureImpact for housing-program application intake and Shelby Giving for donation and subscription processing, with no proprietary software or platform disclosed. Revenue is generated through charitable donations, the recurring coffee subscription, and modest program fees paid by residents who must demonstrate stable monthly income.

The go-to-market motion is community-led: NPLA depends on referrals from the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, the City of Whittier, faith-based partners, and a volunteer Nehemiah Ambassador program, with digital marketing via its website and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) supporting donor and volunteer acquisition. To date, the program has welcomed ten young women and successfully transitioned eight into stable housing. Leadership is concentrated around Founder/CEO Bishop Ed Smith, supported by a small core team (Business Operational Manager, Program Director, Resident Case Manager) and a board with backgrounds in philanthropy, finance, and social work advocacy.

Name

The Nehemiah Project LA

Legal name

Nehemiah Project LA, Inc.

Website

https://nehemiahprojectla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Nehemiah Project LA is a Whittier, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing a 2-year supportive housing program, case management, and referral services for former foster youth, primarily women ages 20-26 aging out of the Los Angeles County foster care system. It also runs the Nehemiah Coffee subscription social enterprise to fund operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transitional Housing & Supportive Services for Foster Youth

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Transitional housing services
• Foster youth support
• Life skills training
• Social services nonprofit
• Community referral services

Headquarters

HQ city

Whittier

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, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: NPLA operates primarily through charitable donations and fundraising campaigns. The organization maintains a donation portal via Shelby Giving platform, allowing donors to contribute directly to support former foster youth programs.
2. Nehemiah Coffee Subscription: The organization sells Nehemiah Coffee subscriptions at $50/month. Revenue supports global impact for farming communities, Eleos Ministries nonprofit coffee house in Kansas City, and the Nehemiah Project LA former foster youth programs.
3. Program Fees from Housing Residents: Dream Chasers Housing Program requires residents to have a stable source of monthly income to pay for program fees, food, and personal items. Residents must be employed and/or attending school.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Nehemiah Project LA provides transitional supportive housing, life skills training, mentoring, mental/behavioral health services, financial literacy education, and referral services for former foster youth (transition-age youth ages 20-26) in Los Angeles County. Its anchor offering is the Dream Chasers Housing Program, a 2-year permanent supportive housing program in SPA 7 for single women aging out of foster care, supplemented by a resource referral network and the Nehemiah Coffee subscription social enterprise.

Product overview

The Nehemiah Project LA is a nonprofit organization that operates a multi-component support system for former foster youth. Its core programs include the Dream Chasers Housing Program (a 2-year supportive housing initiative for women ages 20-26), the TAY Resource Referral Service (connecting youth with food, housing, transportation, and support services), and a Collaborative Network supporting other nonprofits serving TAYs. The organization also operates Nehemiah Coffee as a social enterprise that funds operations by supporting global coffee farming communities and Eleos Ministries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nehemiah Coffee: Coffee subscription program that supports former foster youth, Eleos Ministries in Kansas City, and global farming communities. Available for $50/month subscription.

Products and services

• Dream Chasers Housing Program A 2-year permanent supportive housing program for housing-insecure transition-age youth (TAY) former foster youth, providing a safe, stable, affordable home environment paired with case management, life skills workshops, financial literacy, mental/behavioral health services, mentoring, education and career assistance to promote self-sufficiency and independence.
• TAY Resource Referral Service A referral service connecting transition-age former foster youth with essential resources including food, housing, transportation, mental health support, employment referrals, and financial literacy assistance through partnerships with organizations such as St. Joseph Center, Change Reaction, and Care Portal.
• Nehemiah Coffee Subscription

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zoe CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborating partner in the initial founding of NPLA. Zoe Christian Fellowship was the original host organization where NPLA began as a ministry outreach program in 2017 before becoming an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2021.
• Los Angeles Department of Children and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner providing oversight and referrals for foster youth transitioning out of the system. Key stakeholder in NPLA's mission to serve former foster youth.
• City of WhittiercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner collaborating with NPLA on community support for former foster youth programs.
• St. Joseph CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing referral housing services and mental health support for TAYs through the TAY Resource Referral Service program.
• Change ReactionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing basic needs grants and support services for TAYs through referral programs.
• Care PortalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting TAYs through referral services and resource connections.
• United Way LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor nonprofit alliance partner supporting NPLA's mission through community resources and referrals.
• For Others FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting NPLA's programs for former foster youth.
• Whittier Area Community Church (WACC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner providing community support for NPLA's local initiatives in Whittier area.
• Orange County Community Foundation's African American Alliance FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund providing financial support and resources for NPLA's African American youth programs.
• LISCLAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner collaborating with NPLA on youth support initiatives.
• Eleos MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit coffee house and roastery in Kansas City, Missouri serving individuals and families in challenging neighborhoods. Supported through Nehemiah Coffee subscriptions. Represents NPLA's mission extension beyond Los Angeles to the Midwest.
• Zoe Christian FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal host organization where NPLA began in 2017 as a ministry outreach program under Founding Pastor Bishop Ed Smith. The organization was structured as a separate 501(c)3 in 2021.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L.A. Family Housing: Major LA County nonprofit providing interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services. Operates at a much larger scale but in the same housing-assistance category.
• Brilliant Corners: California nonprofit providing supportive housing for vulnerable populations including transition-age youth. Operates scattered-site housing models that compete for similar real estate and funding pools.
• St. Joseph Center: Established LA-based nonprofit providing housing, food, and supportive services across multiple vulnerable populations. Already an NPLA referral partner; competes for overlapping donor and government funding.
• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): California-headquartered nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable supportive housing + case management model at broader population scale.

Direct peers

• A Place Called Home: Los Angeles-based nonprofit serving youth with programs including housing stability, education, mental health, and case management — directly comparable geography and youth-support model.
• First Place for Youth: California-based nonprofit serving former foster youth (TAY) with supportive housing, education, and employment programs. Directly comparable mission and target population to NPLA's Dream Chasers Housing Program.
• Covenant House: National nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to homeless and at-risk youth including those aging out of foster care. Comparable transitional housing + life skills service model.
• A New Way of Life: LA-based nonprofit providing housing and reentry support to women including those impacted by the justice and foster systems. Comparable trauma-informed, women-focused housing-plus-services model.

Regional players

• Union Station Homeless Services: Pasadena-based nonprofit providing housing, case management, and supportive services. Comparable geographic region (greater LA) and service-model overlap with NPLA's referral and housing programs.

Emerging players

• Five Keys Schools and Programs: California-based nonprofit providing reentry, housing, and education services to vulnerable populations. Comparable organizational scale and California footprint, with overlapping case-management orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nplalove
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheNehemiahProjectLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thenehemiahprojectla
• Instagraminstagram.com/nehemiahprojectla_org

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 The Nehemiah Project LA