Project Lazarus

What Project Lazarus does

Project Lazarus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 1985 by Fr. Bob Pawell and Fr. Paul Desrosiers in partnership with the Archdiocese of New Orleans as one of the first Catholic AIDS hospices in the United States. Operating as a sponsored agency of the Archdiocese and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the organization evolved from end-of-life hospice care into a housing-first transitional housing program serving people living with HIV who are unhoused or at risk of housing loss. Its residential campus at 2824 Dauphine Street in the Marigny/Bywater neighborhoods comprises 23 units across two buildings and supports 70+ residents annually through 24/7 direct support, while extending case management, counseling, and wellness services to over 1,000 individuals per year.

The integrated service portfolio spans four core pillars — Housing, Wellness (case management, HIV counseling, substance use support), Stability (mentorship, lifeskills, workforce development), and Support (medication adherence, 24/7 assistance, disaster preparedness) — supplemented by program modules including Coaching & Education, Financial Literacy & Budgeting, Nutrition Programming, and Spiritual/Wellness services delivered by partners such as Loyola University, Tulane University, and Jesuit Volunteer Corps facilitators. The organization has no proprietary technology product; its competitive product is the operational and clinical model itself, refined over four decades and certified through the clinical credentials of staff such as the Programs Director (LPC, NCC). Service delivery is gated through a structured referral-and-intake channel drawing from healthcare and social-service partners across the Gulf South, including Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Mobile, Biloxi, and Pensacola.

Revenue is generated entirely through a charitable funding mix: individual donations (one-time and recurring via the Raising Lazarus monthly-giving program), corporate sponsorships and event sponsors (Guardian Angel Gala, Bon Appétit), foundation and corporate grants from HIV-focused funders (ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Avita Pharmacy, Broadway Cares) and regional foundations (Greater New Orleans Foundation, Catholic Community Foundation, Baptist Community Ministries, Ella West Freeman Foundation, RosaMary Foundation), government grants (Office of Community Development, Office of Health Policy), in-kind donations, and planned/legacy gifts through the Red Door Society. The longest-standing commercial event partnership is Halloween New Orleans, which has contributed over $4.7 million cumulatively. No fee-for-service clinical revenue is generated from residents; all donations are tax-deductible, and pricing reflects suggested donation tiers rather than service fees.

Name

Project Lazarus

Legal name

Project Lazarus

Website

https://projectlazarus.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Lazarus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in New Orleans that provides transitional housing, case management, and wellness services to people living with HIV who are unhoused or at risk, operating 23 residential units and serving 70+ residents and 1,000+ individuals annually through referral partnerships across the Gulf South.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Supportive Housing and Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• HIV/AIDS transitional housing
• Supportive housing services
• Nonprofit social services
• Case management services
• HIV wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

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: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting programs and services including housing, nutrition, outreach, and education. One-time and recurring donation options available.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages for fundraising events including the Guardian Angel Gala and Bon Appétit. Partners can engage through workplace giving, matching programs, grants, and multi-year commitments.
3. Monthly Giving Program (Raising Lazarus): Recurring monthly donations providing predictable funding for housing, meals, counseling, and wellness services. Benefits include updates, event invitations, and annual luncheon access.
4. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from healthcare companies (ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Avita Pharmacy), foundations (Greater New Orleans Foundation, Catholic Community Foundation, Ella West Freeman Foundation, Baptist Community Ministries, RosaMary Foundation), and government offices (Office of Community Development, Office of Health Policy).
5. In-Kind Donations: Physical donations of supplies, equipment, and services. Current needs include outdoor items (chicken feed, garden supplies, outdoor seating), indoor items (bedding, towels, rugs), and personal hygiene products.
6. Legacy Gifts: Estate planned gifts through the Red Door Society, including bequests, retirement account designations, and other planned giving vehicles to ensure long-term sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Project Lazarus provides transitional housing and comprehensive supportive care for people living with HIV who are unhoused or at risk of housing loss. Services include a 23-unit residential campus with private rooms and home-cooked meals, 24/7 direct support, case management, HIV counseling, substance use support, medication adherence, lifeskills training, workforce development, financial literacy, and nutrition programming. The organization is funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events and serves qualifying residents at no charge.

Product overview

Project Lazarus is a nonprofit organization providing a unified suite of supportive housing and comprehensive care services for people living with HIV in the Greater New Orleans region. The organization operates as a single integrated program combining transitional housing (up to 23 residents), wellness services, stability programming, and around-the-clock support. Core service offerings include: Transitional Housing with private rooms and common spaces; Wellness Services encompassing case management, HIV counseling, and behavioral health coordination; Stability Programs with mentorship, lifeskills training, and workforce development; and Support Services including medication adherence and 24/7 assistance. Additional program modules include Substance Use Support (recovery groups, harm-reduction), Coaching & Education, Financial Literacy, and Nutrition Programming. The organization also operates major fundraising events (Guardian Angel Gala, Bon Appétit) and donor programs (Raising Lazarus monthly giving, Red Door Society legacy giving) to sustain operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transitional Housing

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of residents experience marked physical improvement and higher quality of life
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Halloween New OrleanscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 October 2025One of the nation's most enduring volunteer-driven HIV/AIDS fundraising events. Exactly 100% of funds raised directly benefit Project Lazarus. Has contributed more than $4.7 million over four decades. One of the only fully volunteer-led, 100% donation-based event weekends in the U.S.
• Archdiocese of New OrleanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Lazarus is a sponsored agency and apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Archdiocese has supported the mission since inception in 1985 and provides the use of facilities. Governance is provided by a volunteer Board including Archdiocesan Liaison & CFO Dirk Wild.
• CrescentCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partner providing integrated care services as part of the collaborative network delivering holistic programming for residents.
• Access Health LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partner providing healthcare access services as part of the collaborative network delivering holistic programming for residents.
• Priority HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partner providing priority health services as part of the collaborative network delivering holistic programming for residents.
• Avita PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmacy partner providing medication access and pharmaceutical services for residents. Also corporate sponsor for events.
• Loyola UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing service learners through the Office of Community Engaged Learning and Teaching, nursing students for clinical rotations, music therapy programs, and garden/landscaping volunteers. Jesuit Volunteer Corps members facilitate Lifeskills sub-program.
• Tulane UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing service learners through the CPS Office for community engagement and volunteer support.
• Colleen Curran (NOLA Healer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness practitioner providing acupuncture services to residents as part of holistic programming.
• Lawrence Gobble (NOLA Healer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness practitioner providing healing services to residents as part of holistic programming.
• Shaw McPhersonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing wellness programming services to residents.
• Archbishop HughesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPastoral counseling services provider for residents as part of holistic wellness programming.
• Marianites of Holy CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious congregation providing volunteer and community support for Project Lazarus programs.
• Jeff GuilloryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated individual volunteer providing ongoing administrative support, resident engagement, and philosophy/lifeskills education. Recognized as 2026 Guardian Angel award honoree.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cascade AIDS Project: Pacific Northwest nonprofit offering housing, case management, HIV care navigation, and prevention services to people living with HIV — directly comparable in integrated HIV housing and support services model.
• Broward House: South Florida nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS, including residential programs and case management — comparable HIV-specific housing provider.
• AIDS Alabama: Birmingham-based nonprofit offering housing, case management, and supportive services to people with HIV, with strong regional funder relationships across the Deep South — directly comparable in scope and HIV-housing focus.
• Housing Works: NYC-based nonprofit operating transitional housing, supportive housing, and integrated HIV/AIDS services with clinics, advocacy, and case management — a near-analog to Project Lazarus's housing-plus-care model at larger scale.
• Grace House of Memphis: Faith-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating transitional housing and recovery programs for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness in Memphis — closely comparable model as a Southern faith-affiliated HIV/transitional housing provider.
• Bailey House: New York nonprofit providing supportive and affordable housing specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS, with case management and wellness services — directly comparable in mission, population, and service model to Project Lazarus.
• AIDS Foundation Houston: Houston-area nonprofit providing housing assistance, supportive services, and prevention for people living with HIV in the Gulf South region; a comparable geographic and demographic peer for HIV housing services.

Broad incumbents

• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Long-standing Bay Area HIV/AIDS nonprofit providing housing subsidies, case management, prevention, and clinical linkages — broader incumbent serving similar populations with overlapping (but not identical) service mix.
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF): The largest global HIV/AIDS nonprofit, operating clinics, housing, and pharmacy services across many U.S. cities; broadly overlaps Project Lazarus's HIV population and care navigation activities at vastly larger scale.

Others

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans: Local sister agency of Project Lazarus's institutional sponsor (the Archdiocese of New Orleans); relevant context for governance, facility use, and overlapping social-service delivery in the same service region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ProjectLazarusNOLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-lazarus-nola
• Instagraminstagram.com/projectlazarusnola
• Xx.com/ProjectLazarus1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Project Lazarus