The Lifeboat Project

What The Lifeboat Project does

The Lifeboat Project is a Central Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Apopka, Florida, that provides long-term, trauma-informed care and housing-first support for adult survivors of human trafficking. The organization was founded by Jill Bolander Cohen, who serves as CEO alongside Co-Founder and Treasurer Gary Cohen, Chairman Shannon K. Fraser, and a leadership team that includes a Chief Strategy Officer, case managers, and a Social Media & Video Content Creator. Florida is identified in source materials as among the three worst states for human trafficking in America, providing a structural demand backdrop for the organization's services.

The Lifeboat Project operates an integrated service ecosystem rather than a technology platform. Its flagship offering is the Compass Program, a three-phase residential and support model (Safe, Heal, Grow) in which a Navigation Team coordinates medical, dental, counseling, psychiatric, legal, educational, vocational, and life-skills services into individualized survivor plans. The Haven Homes program layers family-based housing on top of the Compass framework, with each host family providing a supportive environment for one survivor over age 18. Community Client Services extends support to survivors living independently, while the Spot It. Stop It awareness campaign, professional training sessions, and a Speaker Request Program drive prevention and education across schools, churches, and community gatherings.

Revenue is generated exclusively through donations, corporate sponsorships, and special events rather than fees for service. Income streams include individual donations via the Network for Good platform, the Lifeboat Lifesavers monthly giving program, recurring corporate sponsors (Delta, Fifth Third Bank, Zaza's, AdventHealth), and event-driven fundraising anchored by the annual Yacht Rock Gala and partner-hosted dinners such as the Talk of the Town charity dinner at Charley's Steak House ($50 of each $125 ticket flows to the organization). Services are provided at no charge to survivors, and volunteer labor supplements a small paid staff. The organization explicitly maintains an international partnerships track, signaling intent to extend its model beyond Central Florida.

Name

The Lifeboat Project

Legal name

The Lifeboat Project Inc.

Website

https://thelifeboatproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lifeboat Project is a Central Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides long-term, trauma-informed care, family-based housing, and wraparound support services for adult survivors of human trafficking in Florida and via international partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Trafficking Survivor Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

MHPSS & Trauma-Informed Support for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Human trafficking services
• Trauma-informed care
• Survivor support programs
• Housing assistance
• Nonprofit organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Apopka

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute through the Network for Good platform and direct mail donations. The Lifeboat Lifesavers monthly giving program provides recurring donor support. Donations fund trauma counseling, family counseling, household supplies, residential programs, and education.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Delta, Fifth Third Bank, Zaza's, and Advent Health provide financial support and in-kind contributions. Sponsorship tiers range from general support to Premier sponsorship at community events.
3. Special Event Fundraising: Annual Yacht Rock Gala and other events like the Talk of the Town dinner generate direct revenue. The Talk of the Town dinner at Charley's Steak House generates $50 per ticket ($125) directly for the organization.
4. Volunteer Services: Volunteers provide event support, outreach assistance, and awareness campaign participation without compensation, reducing operational costs and enabling service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Lifeboat Project provides long-term, trauma-informed care and housing-first support for adult survivors of human trafficking through The Compass Program (Safe, Heal, Grow), Haven Homes family-based housing, Community Client Services, Professional Training Sessions, a Speaker Request Program, and the Spot It. Stop It. public awareness campaign. All services are delivered free of charge to survivors, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and special-event fundraising.

Product overview

The Lifeboat Project is a nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed support services for survivors of human trafficking in Central Florida. The organization operates as a single integrated service ecosystem rather than a modular platform, centered on The Compass Program—a three-phase residential program (Safe, Heal, Grow)—supplemented by Haven Homes family-based housing, the Spot It. Stop It awareness campaign, professional training sessions, and community outreach services. All programs emphasize long-term care, housing-first approaches, and wraparound support including trauma counseling, education, and life skills training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Compass Program: A structured three-phase program (Safe, Heal, Grow) providing holistic, individualized survivor plans with multi-disciplinary staff support including medical, dental, counseling, psychiatric, legal, educational, vocational, and life-skills training services.
• Haven Homes
• Spot It. Stop It

Products and services

• The Compass Program A structured three-phase residential and support program for survivors of human trafficking, organized into 'Safe,' 'Heal,' and 'Grow' phases. Each survivor works with a Navigation Team including medical, dental, counseling, psychiatric, legal, educational, vocational, and life-skills providers to create individualized recovery plans.
• Haven Homes Program A family-based housing program where host families provide supportive environments for individual survivors over age 18, working alongside Lifeboat Project professionals to facilitate healing and independence. Applications are submitted by email to [email protected].
• Spot It. Stop It. Campaign A public awareness initiative that educates communities on identifying signs of human trafficking through short educational videos, helping audiences recognize red flags and take appropriate action.
• Professional Training Sessions Interactive training sessions providing practical tools for identifying, responding to, and preventing human trafficking, offering trauma-informed strategies and resources tailored to professional or community roles.
• Volunteer Program A structured volunteer program requiring one-day training, reference submission, and background checks, enabling individuals to support survivor services, community outreach, and awareness education.
• Speaker Request Program A speaking program providing passionate speakers for schools, churches, and community gatherings to raise awareness and inspire action against human trafficking, with donations accepted in lieu of fees.
• Yacht Rock Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring a 'Yacht Rock' theme that brings together the Central Florida community to raise awareness and funds for survivor support services including housing, education, and therapy.
• Community Client Services Outreach services for survivors living independently in the community, providing a lifetime array of comprehensive services including counseling, life skills, and conflict resolution without requiring completion of The Compass Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Comprehensive services covering medical, dental, counseling, psychiatric, legal, educational, vocational, and life-skills support

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DeltaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Lifeboat Project. Delta participated in the Yacht Rock Gala with raffle donations including airline tickets.
• Fifth Third BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Lifeboat Project. Jeremy Smith, VP and Business Banking Relationship Manager at Fifth Third Bank, serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
• Zaza'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Lifeboat Project.
• AdventHealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Lifeboat Project. Jessica Schuman, Divisional Chief Legal Officer for AdventHealth, serves on the Board of Directors.
• Talk of the Town RestaurantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant group hosting Round Up for Charity dinner benefiting The Lifeboat Project at Charley's Steak House on International Drive. $50 of each $125 ticket goes to the organization.
• Anti-Predator ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKim Harshaw and Trent Steele from the Anti-Predator Project served as powerful guest speakers at the 'Making Waves to End Human Trafficking' luncheon, contributing expertise in combating human trafficking.
• Magic 107.7minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partner. Chad Pitt from Magic 107.7 serves as Master of Ceremonies for events including the Yacht Rock Gala and luncheons.
• Mental Health Association of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCherlette McCullough serves as Vice President of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. The Lifeboat Project increased sponsorship to Premier level for the Legacy of Champions Luncheon.
• Greater Orlando Sports CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGary Cohen, Co-Founder and Treasurer of The Lifeboat Project, served as CFO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission for over 11 years before retiring in mid-2025. Jason Siegel, CEO of GO Sports, serves on the Advisory Board.
• Consortyo Networks & SecurityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTed Bogert, Host of The Ted Show, and Atu Naseem, CEO of Consortyo Networks & Security, are listed as Lifeboat Lifesavers, providing security systems and monitoring support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• A21: A21 is a global nonprofit operating dedicated aftercare homes, trafficking survivor rehabilitation programs, and awareness campaigns — directly comparable to The Lifeboat Project's Compass Program and Haven Homes model.
• Polaris: Polaris runs the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and operates direct-service programs for trafficking survivors — a closely analogous survivor-services and awareness portfolio.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline / NITA (National Survivor Network): Operates the primary U.S. trafficking referral and crisis-response channel; functions as a peer in survivor identification, referral routing, and public-awareness campaigns such as Spot It. Stop It.
• Restore NYC: Restore NYC provides long-term housing, therapeutic, and educational services for foreign-born survivors of trafficking — closely aligned with The Lifeboat Project's Compass Program and Haven Homes approach.
• Thistle Farms: Thistle Farms operates residential recovery programs and social enterprises for women survivors of trafficking and exploitation — analogous long-term, housing-first survivor care model.
• Trafficking Hope: A faith-based network that mobilizes churches to provide housing, mentoring, and survivor care — directly comparable community-driven, housing-first trafficking survivor model.
• Shared Hope International: Shared Hope delivers restorative care, safe housing, and specialized services for sex trafficking survivors — directly comparable to The Lifeboat Project's long-term residential and aftercare focus.

Regional players

• Safe Horizon: Operates anti-trafficking and domestic violence programs primarily in New York City — comparable program model but different geography, making it a regional peer relative to Lifeboat's Central Florida base.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army: Operates broad anti-trafficking programming across the U.S., including residential services and outreach — a broad incumbent with overlapping survivor-services capabilities but a much wider portfolio.
• Catholic Charities USA: Provides anti-trafficking services, housing, and refugee resettlement through a national network of agencies — comparable as a broad incumbent offering trafficking survivor support as part of a larger mission portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xlinkedin.com/company/the-lifeboat-project-inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheLifeboatProj/shorts
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLifeboatProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-lifeboat-project-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelifeboatproject/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Lifeboat Project