MANIFESTWORKS
ManifestWorks is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit running an 11-week workforce training program that places individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration into Production Assistant careers in Hollywood, supported by ongoing mid-career and clinical services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MANIFESTWORKS does
ManifestWorks is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 that runs an 11-week workforce development program preparing individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration for careers as Production Assistants in Hollywood physical production. The organization delivers training through Saturday classes held at production houses, sound stages, and post-production facilities across Los Angeles, with the explicit goal of placing participants in freelance PA work during and after the cohort. Its three interconnected programs—MANIFEST (core training), MANIFESTMORE (mid-career training, financial literacy, and wealth building for alumni), and MANIFESTSUPPORT (clinical therapy, occupational therapy, housing grants, case management, and legal advocacy)—address not only job placement but the underlying social determinants of career stability.
The organization's underlying technology is intentionally minimal: it relies on Squarespace for web presence, Kindest for donation processing, and TFA Forms for application management, with no proprietary platform or AI capabilities. Its defensibility comes from human-curated curriculum, an embedded network of Hollywood production partners and IATSE union locals (Local 728, 44, 600), and a wraparound support model that few comparable programs replicate. The organization supports 165 alumni, with reported alumni annualized salaries of $62,075—up from $12,517 prior to program entry.
ManifestWorks generates revenue entirely through donations and grants as a 501(c)(3), with no fees charged to participants. Its flagship recurring giving vehicle is The Crew monthly donor program, suggesting donations starting at $40/month, alongside one-time donations and likely foundation and corporate grants from entertainment-industry-aligned funders. The go-to-market motion is community-led: participants enter through referrals from social services and community organizations, then a public application, mandatory orientation, and interview process. The hiring side is B2B-style, with entertainment industry productions serving as the de facto customers for graduate labor, channeled through board and advisory relationships at studios, agencies, and union locals. In 2025 the organization expanded its staff and added deeper emergency housing support—hotel vouchers, cash grants, and case management—reflecting an explicit response to LA's housing crisis and wildfires affecting its participant base.
MANIFESTWORKS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MANIFESTWORKS
- Legal name
- ManifestWorks
- Website
- https://manifestworks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ManifestWorks is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit running an 11-week workforce training program that places individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration into Production Assistant careers in Hollywood, supported by ongoing mid-career and clinical services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MANIFESTWORKS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) & Self-Care Skills Training (EDAKAFAE)
Keywords
Where MANIFESTWORKS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MANIFESTWORKS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ManifestWorks generates revenue entirely through donations and grants. The Crew monthly donor program is a key recurring revenue stream, with 100% of donations directed to participant training, placement, and support services. The organization also likely receives grant funding from foundations supporting workforce development and social justice initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free program for eligible participants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
MANIFESTWORKS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ManifestWorks provides a free 11-week immersive workforce development program that trains individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration for careers as freelance Production Assistants in Hollywood physical production. The core program combines classroom training with paid on-set experience and is supplemented by ongoing mid-career advancement services (MANIFESTMORE) and clinical/life support services (MANIFESTSUPPORT) including housing assistance, therapy, and financial literacy. The organization operates entirely free of charge to participants and is funded through donations and grants.
Product overview
ManifestWorks is a nonprofit workforce development organization offering three interconnected programs: MANIFEST (core 11-week PA training program), MANIFESTMORE (mid-career advancement for alumni), and MANIFESTSUPPORT (clinical and life support services). The programs work together to provide job training, placement, and ongoing professional and wellness support for individuals impacted by foster care, incarceration, and homelessness, primarily focused on entry into Hollywood's physical production industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MANIFEST
- MANIFESTMORE
- MANIFESTSUPPORT
Quantifiable outcome
- Alumni earn an annualized salary of $62,075 (up from $12,517 they earned as applicants)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MANIFESTWORKS
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MANIFESTWORKS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MANIFESTWORKS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- LA TimesminorFeatured in LA Times coverage titled 'From prison to film set, this program creates a new pipeline' providing earned media exposure and credibility through major news coverage.
- The GuardianminorFeatured in The Guardian coverage about prison-to-Hollywood career pathway, providing international media visibility.
- Reasons to be CheerfulminorFeatured article titled 'The Prison-to-Hollywood Pipeline Is the Stuff of Cinematic Dreams' providing positive media coverage.
- PrettybirdcoreAli Brown, Vice President/Executive Producer at Prettybird, serves on the Advisory Board, representing a major production company connected to the program for hiring and mentorship.
- SmugglercoreAndrew Colón, COO of Smuggler, serves on the Board of Directors. Suzie Burton, Director of Operations at Smuggler, serves on the Advisory Board. Smuggler is a major commercial production company providing employment and mentorship opportunities.
- Lord DangerminorAnthony Ficalora, Executive Producer at Lord Danger, serves on the Advisory Board, providing industry connections and potential hiring.
- Local 728 (IATSE Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians)coreUnion partnership providing alumni with pathway to union membership. Sal, an alumnus, became a member as a Studio Electrical Lighting Technician, demonstrating the program's success in union placement.
- Local 44 (IATSE Prop Masters)coreDarnell Twinn, Local 44 Prop Master, serves on the Advisory Board, providing union connections and career pathway guidance for alumni.
- Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild)coreNaoe Jarmon, camera operator and member of Local 600, serves on the Board of Directors as an alumna, representing union connections and career advancement pathway.
- 20th TelevisioncoreBrendan Countee, Head Of Comedy at 20th Television, serves on the Board of Directors, providing major studio connection and potential employment pathway.
- Mophonics Music & SoundminorSteph Altman, Creative Director and Partner at Mophonics, serves on the Advisory Board, providing industry mentorship and potential employment.
- Hook StudiosminorRobert Liggins, Photographer, Videographer and Copywriter at Hook Studios, serves on the Advisory Board and has documented the organization.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MANIFESTWORKS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC): California-based reentry advocacy and support organization focused on formerly incarcerated individuals, including employment pathways. Operates in LA and shares the reentry-workforce orientation that underpins ManifestWorks' target population.
- Homeboy Industries: LA-based nonprofit providing workforce development, training, and wraparound support for formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals. Directly comparable mission to ManifestWorks in serving reentry populations in Los Angeles with holistic employment-focused programming.
- A New Way of Life: LA-based nonprofit providing housing, leadership development, and reentry support for formerly incarcerated women. Shares the LA reentry population overlap and wraparound service approach with ManifestWorks, though without an entertainment-specific placement focus.
- Chrysalis: Los Angeles nonprofit offering job training, placement, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and barriers to employment. Highly comparable model and geography to ManifestWorks, though broader in industry placement and population scope.
- JobTrain: Bay Area nonprofit providing career training in skilled trades, technology, and healthcare for low-income individuals, including those impacted by incarceration and homelessness. Comparable workforce-development model serving similar vulnerable populations, though placed in multiple industries rather than entertainment.
Regional players
- Hire LA's Youth: LA-based youth employment initiative connecting young people with first jobs and workforce experience. Shares the LA geography and entry-level workforce placement orientation but targets broader youth rather than the foster care/incarceration/homelessness niche.
- Brotherhood Crusade: LA-based nonprofit providing workforce development, education, and supportive services for underserved populations in South Los Angeles. Comparable geographic footprint and mission to empower vulnerable communities through employment, though serving broader populations.
- East Los Angeles Women's Center: LA-based nonprofit providing workforce development, housing support, and reentry services for women impacted by incarceration, domestic violence, and homelessness. Comparable wraparound service model and population overlap with ManifestWorks.
Broad incumbents
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit providing employment services to people with criminal convictions, including job readiness, placement, and retention support. Comparable reentry-workforce mission to ManifestWorks but operates nationally across multiple industries rather than focusing on entertainment.
Emerging players
- Coalition for Engaged Education: California nonprofit providing education, career pathways, and reentry support for youth impacted by incarceration and foster care. Highly comparable target population and career-development orientation to ManifestWorks, though serving younger participants and operating across multiple sectors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MANIFESTWORKS social profiles
Digital presenceMANIFESTWORKS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MANIFESTWORKS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
MANIFESTWORKS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MANIFESTWORKS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MANIFESTWORKS
What does MANIFESTWORKS do?
ManifestWorks provides a free 11-week immersive workforce development program that trains individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration for careers as freelance Production Assistants in Hollywood physical production. The core program combines classroom training with paid on-set experience and is supplemented by ongoing mid-career advancement services (MANIFESTMORE) and clinical/life support services (MANIFESTSUPPORT) including housing assistance, therapy, and financial literacy. The organization operates entirely free of charge to participants and is funded through donations and grants.
Is MANIFESTWORKS a public or private company?
MANIFESTWORKS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MANIFESTWORKS founded?
MANIFESTWORKS was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MANIFESTWORKS based?
MANIFESTWORKS is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does MANIFESTWORKS make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are MANIFESTWORKS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), Homeboy Industries, A New Way of Life, Chrysalis and JobTrain. Regional players are Hire LA's Youth, Brotherhood Crusade and East Los Angeles Women's Center. Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is listed as a broad incumbent. Coalition for Engaged Education is listed as an emerging player.
Does MANIFESTWORKS have an API?
No public API is recorded for MANIFESTWORKS.
What industry is MANIFESTWORKS in?
MANIFESTWORKS's product category is Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAF, Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs, with a secondary code of EDAKAFAE, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) & Self-Care Skills Training. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8200.