New England Innocence Project

What New England Innocence Project does

The New England Innocence Project (NEIP) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It provides free forensic testing, investigation, expert testimony, and experienced legal representation to exonerate individuals wrongfully convicted in the six New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island), managing more than 100 active investigations at any given time. Beyond direct casework, NEIP operates the Exoneree Network sub-brand, which delivers post-release support including housing (via the Freedom House transitional residence launched in 2024), financial assistance, mental health care, job training, and technology access to exonerees and their families, with 48 community members supported in 2025 representing 1,344 years of cumulative wrongful incarceration.

NEIP is structured around three operational pillars: Liberate (case investigation and exoneration litigation), Empower (Exoneree Network post-release services), and Dismantle (policy advocacy, amicus briefs, and systemic-reform litigation, including a July 2026 lawsuit targeting police misconduct records). The organization has no proprietary technology platform and no AI/ML capabilities; its competitive foundation rests on human legal expertise, forensic science partnerships, and accumulated case credibility, including the March 2026 Thomas Rosa Jr. exoneration that marked the 100th Massachusetts exoneration since 1989.

The business and revenue model is donation- and grant-driven, with funding sourced from individual contributions, corporate matching gift programs, foundation grants (notably a Vertex Foundation-sponsored Equal Justice Fellow), and major annual fundraising events including Voices of the Innocent, Jammin' for Justice, and Running for Innocence. Legal capacity is materially augmented by pro bono partnerships with over 30 law firms (including Ropes & Gray, Latham & Watkins, Sidley Austin, Loevy + Loevy, and Verrill) delivering nearly 10,000 hours of legal services annually. Leadership is provided by Executive Director Radha Natarajan, with the senior team covering communications, legal staff, development, and Exoneree Network operations.

Name

New England Innocence Project

Legal name

New England Innocence Project

Website

https://newenglandinnocence.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The New England Innocence Project is a Cambridge-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free legal representation, forensic testing, and investigation to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals across the six New England states, and operates the Exoneree Network to deliver post-release housing, financial, and reentry support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wrongful Conviction Legal Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH)

Keywords

• Wrongful conviction defense
• Innocence project services
• Post-conviction legal representation
• Exoneration case investigation
• Criminal justice reform advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

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. Donations and Charitable Contributions: NEIP operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The organization runs annual giving campaigns including matching gift programs and end-of-year appeals.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Corporate giving programs, employer matching gifts, and foundation grants provide significant funding. Examples include Vertex Foundation sponsoring an Equal Justice Fellow.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NEIP provides free forensic testing, investigation, expert testimony, and experienced legal representation to exonerate individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes in the six New England states. The organization also operates the Exoneree Network, a post-release support program offering housing, financial assistance, mental health care, job training, and technology support to exonerees and their families. Through litigation, training, public education, and policy advocacy, NEIP pursues systemic criminal justice reform across the region.

Product overview

The New England Innocence Project operates as a single integrated nonprofit offering centered on three pillars: Liberate (freeing innocent people through forensic testing, investigation, and legal representation), Empower (supporting exonerees through the Exoneree Network with housing, financial assistance, mental health care, and job training), and Dismantle (pursuing systemic change through policy advocacy and amicus briefs). The organization screens and accepts wrongful conviction cases in six New England states, manages over 100 active investigations annually, and partners with 30+ law firms providing pro bono legal services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Exoneree Network: A program of the New England Innocence Project that empowers community members with housing, financial support, mental health care, job training, and more so families can heal and rebuild in freedom after wrongful conviction and long-term incarceration.

Products and services

• Legal Representation & Case Investigation Free forensic testing, investigation, expert witnesses, and experienced legal representation provided to individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes in the six New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island). Eligible clients are those whose convictions have been affirmed on direct appeal and who lack current legal representation. NEIP screens cases via an Initial Screening Questionnaire and manages more than 100 active investigations annually.
• Exoneree Network Post-release support program providing housing (including the Freedom House transitional home), direct financial assistance, mental health care, job training, technology assistance, and community-building services to exonerees and their families impacted by long-term wrongful incarceration. In 2025, the program supported 48 community members representing 1,344 years wrongfully incarcerated and distributed $83,000 in direct financial assistance.
• Policy & Systemic Change Advocacy Systemic criminal justice reform program using NEIP's case expertise to pursue policies preventing wrongful convictions and supporting community-based public safety solutions. Activities include filing amicus briefs, legislative testimony, and engaging with the Wrongful Conviction Day annual march and rally at the Massachusetts State House.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 community members supported in 2025 representing 1,344 years wrongfully incarcerated
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Loevy + LoevycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm partnered with NEIP as co-counsel on Thomas Rosa Jr. case following wrongful conviction overturn. Attorneys Mark Loevy-Reyes and Meg Gould joined NEIP's Executive Director as co-counsel for retrial proceedings.
• Ropes & GraycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono partner representing Shawn Tanner's interests in pursuing DNA testing truth; also involved in Gary Cifizzari case with NEIP. Provided attorney Jessica Dormitzer to argue before Supreme Judicial Court.
• Latham & Watkins LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteadfast partner helping free and overturn wrongful conviction of Nancy Wagner (NEIP's first female client) in 2023. Currently working on another wrongful conviction case where client has spent 17 years in prison.
• MintzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with NEIP to investigate a wrongful conviction case; relationship established to build lasting partnership supporting NEIP's mission.
• VerrillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm led by Michael Fee that worked with NEIP team on Nancy Wagner case, requiring expertise of five skilled experts in psychology, forensic pathology, pediatrics, and serology.
• Boston College Innocence ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint representation with NEIP on Thomas Rosa Jr. case following wrongful conviction overturn to ensure no gap in representation for the client.
• Who's Got MoraleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization creating education and wellness programs for underserved communities. Partnered with Exoneree Network to host spring wellness retreat incorporating Indigenous restorative healing practices.
• YardTimeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization founded by Exoneree Network member Joseph Bennett. Co-hosted third annual holiday toy drive with NEIP for families impacted by long-term incarceration and wrongful convictions.
• Hey Young World Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partner that joined NEIP and YardTime for third annual holiday toy drive benefiting Boston-area children impacted by long-term incarceration and wrongful convictions.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Exoneree Network to organize two technology training sessions attended by 16 exonerees and family members to enhance digital literacy and tech skills.
• Operation AbleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Exoneree Network to engage two community members (Stephen Pina and Raymond Gaines) as part-time employees in job training program providing workplace skills and resume building.
• Sidley AustincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing pro bono legal services. Praised NEIP's work within the criminal justice system as 'months and years of tireless advocacy, extensive diligence' and expressed pride in standing beside NEIP.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Equal Justice Initiative: National criminal justice reform organization focused on excessive punishment, wrongful conviction, and racial justice. Comparable mission but a much broader portfolio than NEIP, including litigation, research, and The Legacy Museum.
• Innocence Network: Innocence Network is the umbrella association of innocence organizations that NEIP belongs to. It coordinates annual conferences, advocacy, and shared resources across member projects, setting standards and amplifying collective impact.

Regional players

• Michigan Innocence Project: A regional innocence project serving Michigan with comparable investigative and legal services. Aligns closely with NEIP's three-pillar model of exoneration, post-release support, and policy advocacy.
• California Innocence Project: California Innocence Project, based at Cal State LA, provides post-conviction legal services to the wrongly convicted in California. It is one of the largest regional innocence projects in the U.S. and follows the same core model as NEIP.
• Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project: MAIP serves wrongfully convicted individuals in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. and operates with a comparable model of free legal investigation, post-conviction representation, and reentry support — directly parallel to NEIP but in a different geography.
• Ohio Innocence Project: Ohio Innocence Project, based at Ohio State University, provides post-conviction legal services to the wrongly convicted in Ohio. Shares NEIP's DNA testing, investigation, and litigation-focused approach.
• New York Innocence Project: Operates in New York with similar legal investigation and reentry services. Comparable size and regional scope make it a close functional peer to NEIP, differing primarily in state coverage.
• Pennsylvania Innocence Project: Regional innocence organization serving Pennsylvania with the same three-pillar approach of exoneration, reentry support, and policy advocacy. Direct functional peer to NEIP in a different state footprint.

Direct peers

• Witness to Innocence: National organization of exonerated individuals advocating for the death penalty's abolition and supporting exonerees. Highly comparable to NEIP's Exoneree Network in serving the post-release needs of the exoneree community.
• The Innocence Project: The Innocence Project is the flagship U.S. wrongful conviction organization, founded in 1992. NEIP is a regional affiliate within the Innocence Network and shares the same core mission of DNA-based exoneration, post-conviction legal work, and systemic reform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/newenglandinnocence
• Facebookfacebook.com/newenglandinnocence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newenglandinnocence
• Instagraminstagram.com/newenglandinnocence

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 New England Innocence Project