Project Rousseau
Project Rousseau is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free educational, mentoring, immigration legal, and material support services to underserved youth, migrant families, and Oceti Sakowin Native American youth in NYC, Chicago, and South Dakota.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWest New York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Project Rousseau does
Project Rousseau is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City that delivers educational, mentoring, legal, and material support services to underserved youth and migrant families. Founded in 2011 (per firmographics) with the College Success Program formalized in 2017, the organization operates across three core domestic locations — New York City, Chicago, and the Oceti Sakowin/Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota — alongside international exchange partnerships spanning the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Rwanda, Burundi, and Peru. Its service portfolio is organized around a four-pillar model (Student Needs, Academics, Broadening Horizons, Community Service) supplemented by full-scope immigration legal services, a College Success program for matriculated first-generation students, paid mentorship on the Rosebud Reservation, Gap Year Fellowships, and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; it relies on standard digital tools (Squarespace website, Google Forms, Canva) to coordinate volunteer recruitment, program sign-ups, and donations via Givebutter. Its operational backbone is human capital: 150+ volunteer attorneys and law students, 70+ volunteer interpreters across five languages (Spanish, Dari, French, Fulani, Russian), and corporate volunteer networks. Since December 2022, Project Rousseau has scaled its immigration legal services to provide comprehensive evaluations for 950+ individuals and full-scope representation for 270+ individuals.
Project Rousseau's business model is donation-funded. All services are provided free of charge to eligible youth and families. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate philanthropy (Blackstone, Goldman Sachs Gives, JP Morgan, IAC Foundation, Partners Group, Sony Music Entertainment), in-kind goods partnerships (T-Mobile, One Warm Coat, Soles4Souls), and pro bono legal services from major law firms. The organization does not charge for immigration legal services, mentorship, academic support, or college success programming, and does not disclose financial figures publicly.
Project Rousseau firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project Rousseau
- Legal name
- Project Rousseau
- Website
- https://projectrousseau.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Project Rousseau is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free educational, mentoring, immigration legal, and material support services to underserved youth, migrant families, and Oceti Sakowin Native American youth in NYC, Chicago, and South Dakota.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project Rousseau industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Social Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC)
Keywords
Where Project Rousseau is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Project Rousseau business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Project Rousseau operates as a nonprofit organization funded through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization receives support from financial firms (Blackstone, Goldman Sachs Gives), corporate foundations (IAC Foundation, Sony Music Entertainment), and in-kind donations from partners. The website includes a donate button linking to Givebutter.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Project Rousseau product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project Rousseau is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers free, in-person educational, mentoring, immigration legal, and material support programs to underserved youth, asylum-seeking families, and Native American communities in New York City, Chicago, and the Oceti Sakowin (Rosebud Indian Reservation). Its portfolio is organized around four pillars — Student Needs, Academics, Broadening Horizons, and Community Service — supplemented by a College Success Program, full-scope immigration legal services, and paid mentorship on Native American reservations.
Product overview
Project Rousseau is a nonprofit service organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs for underserved youth in New York City, Chicago, and the Oceti Sakowin. Its core programs include the Student Needs Program (providing fundamental items like hygiene products, clothing, and hotspots), the Academics Program (tutoring and study support), the Broadening Horizons Program (cultural exposure through museums, sports, Broadway, and international exchanges), and the Community Service Program. The College Success Program provides ongoing support to matriculated students including academic mentoring and career guidance. Immigration Legal Services offers comprehensive immigration evaluation and representation to asylum seekers and migrants. The Mentorship Program establishes one-to-one mentor-student relationships, particularly serving Native American youth on the Oceti Sakowin. Additional offerings include Gap Year Fellowships and Internships for recent graduates, and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award for youth development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Student Needs Program Provides fundamental material support to students and families, including hygiene products, clothing, food, and internet hotspots, and operates a Student Needs Closet where families can browse essential items. Targeted at homeless, housing-insecure, and migrant youth in New York City.
- Academics Program Builds students' confidence and develops effective study habits, preparing them for college and beyond; encourages students to aim high and explore beyond the standard curriculum. Targeted at underserved youth in NYC.
- Broadening Horizons Program Exposes students to new experiences, environments, careers, people, and cultures through museum visits, sports events, Broadway shows, and international exchanges. Targeted at youth in NYC and partner communities abroad.
- Community Service Program Engages students in service activities that help them realize their capacity to impact their own lives by impacting the lives of others. Targeted at NYC youth served by Project Rousseau.
- College Success Program Provides holistic support for matriculated college students, including academic mentoring, financial aid guidance, and career navigation. Students currently attend or have graduated from institutions including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Georgetown.
- Immigration Legal Services Offers free full-scope immigration services, including screening with attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives, defensive and affirmative asylum applications, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions, and U-Visa applications. Over 950 individuals received comprehensive immigration evaluation since December 2022.
- Mentorship Program (Oceti Sakowin) Establishes safe, stable, and supportive one-to-one relationships between students and paid community-member mentors across the Oceti Sakowin (Rosebud Indian Reservation), developed in partnership with the University of South Dakota EPSCoR program funded by the National Science Foundation.
- Gap Year Fellowship and Internships Provides recent high school graduates and current college students hands-on experience serving families and students across New York City, developing skills while impacting the lives of others.
- The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award A global non-formal education framework challenging young people to develop character, resilience, and self-confidence through personalized journeys involving skills development, fitness, adventure, and community service.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 270 individuals receiving full-scope immigration legal representation; Over 950 immigration evaluations completed since December 2022
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Project Rousseau
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Project Rousseau technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project Rousseau partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- T-MobilecorePartnered with T-Mobile's Project 10 million to distribute 300 internet hotspots to migrant families in NYC, improving access to educational resources.
- One Warm CoatcoreIn-kind partner providing winter coats. Distributed 1,200 winter coats to migrant families through this partnership.
- Soles4SoulscorePartnership to distribute footwear. Distributed over 500 pairs of shoes to homeless youth on Rosebud Indian Reservation.
- The Metropolitan Museum of ArtcoreProgram partner hosting asylum-seeking youth for educational programming, including Dia de la Comunidad (Community Day) events.
- Columbia University Center for Career EducationcoreProgram partner supporting college success programming and career guidance for matriculated students.
- Camp BroadwayminorProgram partner allowing Project Rousseau students to train and perform in Broadway theaters.
- New York Historical SocietyminorProgram partner providing historical education for asylum-seeking youth, engaging 6 students in programming.
- St John's CollegeminorProgram partner engaging 4 students in an educational residency program centered on classical literature.
- The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award USAminorProgram partner offering the Award framework for non-formal education, helping youth build character, resilience, and self-confidence through personalized challenges.
- City of London School for Boys (UK)minorInternational partner school enabling virtual collaboration and student exchanges as part of the Broadening Horizons program.
- The International School of the Hague (Netherlands)minorInternational partner school for virtual collaboration and student exchanges.
- Gashora Girls Academy (Rwanda)minorInternational partner school. Project Rousseau organized virtual collaboration with schools in Rwanda with plans for student visits.
- Kigutu International Academy (Burundi)minorInternational partner school for the Broadening Horizons program.
- Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School (Japan)minorInternational partner school enabling student exchanges as part of the Broadening Horizons program.
- Markham College (Peru)minorInternational partner school. Project Rousseau organized virtual collaboration with schools in Peru with plans for student visits.
- Rysensteen Gymnasium (Denmark)minorInternational partner school for the Broadening Horizons program.
- St. Paul's Girls School (UK)minorInternational partner school for the Broadening Horizons program.
- McDermott, Will & EmerycorePro bono legal partner providing immigration legal services support for asylum seekers and migrants.
- Simpson, Thacher & BartlettcorePro bono legal partner supporting immigration legal services for Project Rousseau clients.
- Weill, Gotshal & MangescorePro bono legal partner supporting immigration legal services for Project Rousseau clients.
- University of South Dakota EPSCoR / National Science FoundationcorePartnership with NSF-funded program to develop a paid mentorship program matching community members with Native American youth across the Oceti Sakowin.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Project Rousseau competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC runs one-to-one youth mentoring for at-risk children, including those from immigrant and low-income families. Its volunteer-mentor model and focus on long-term relationship-based youth outcomes parallel Project Rousseau's mentorship pillar, though it does not provide immigration legal services.
- Bottom Line: Bottom Line provides college access and success coaching to low-income, first-generation students, with particularly strong programming in New York City. It mirrors Project Rousseau's College Success Program focus on financial aid guidance, academic mentoring, and career navigation for first-generation college students.
- HIAS: HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit that provides refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration support across the US. It is a close analog to Project Rousseau's legal and resettlement work for asylum seekers and offers comparable case-management and pro bono attorney infrastructure.
- American Indian College Fund: American Indian College Fund provides scholarships, programming, and support for Native American students pursuing higher education, with strong programming on reservations including the Rosebud area. It parallels Project Rousseau's Oceti Sakowin programming focused on mentorship, basic needs, and college access for Native youth.
- Make the Road New York: Make the Road is a NYC-based nonprofit providing immigration legal services, adult education, youth programming, and organizing for immigrant communities in New York. It directly mirrors Project Rousseau's combination of legal representation, ESL/education, and youth services for low-income immigrant families in the same geography.
- iMentor: iMentor pairs low-income high school students with college-educated volunteer mentors and supports them through college. It is one of the closest direct peers to Project Rousseau's College Success Program, which combines mentor relationships with academic, financial aid, and career navigation support for first-generation students.
- Door (formerly The Door): Door is a NYC-based nonprofit offering integrated youth services including education, legal services, mental health, and career programming for underserved teens and young adults. It is a strong peer given its multi-service model for at-risk urban youth and explicit immigration legal services.
- Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC: Cabrini Immigrant Services provides free immigration legal representation, ESOL classes, and case management to NYC immigrant families. It is a close functional peer in the same geographic market, especially for the free full-scope legal services and resettlement-support functions Project Rousseau performs.
Emerging players
- Year Up: Year Up is a workforce-development nonprofit offering job training and college-equivalent credentials to low-income young adults, with sites in NYC and Chicago that overlap Project Rousseau's geographies. It is comparable for its career-navigation and post-secondary support functions but focuses on workforce outcomes rather than direct legal or migration services.
Broad incumbents
- International Rescue Committee: The IRC is a major global humanitarian organization that resettles refugees and provides legal aid, education, and case management to newly arrived migrants in the US. Highly comparable to Project Rousseau's NYC Migrant Crisis program, including full-scope immigration representation, school enrollment support, and economic integration services, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project Rousseau social profiles
Digital presenceProject Rousseau financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project Rousseau leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Project Rousseau funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Project Rousseau M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Project Rousseau
What does Project Rousseau do?
Project Rousseau is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers free, in-person educational, mentoring, immigration legal, and material support programs to underserved youth, asylum-seeking families, and Native American communities in New York City, Chicago, and the Oceti Sakowin (Rosebud Indian Reservation). Its portfolio is organized around four pillars — Student Needs, Academics, Broadening Horizons, and Community Service — supplemented by a College Success Program, full-scope immigration legal services, and paid mentorship on Native American reservations.
Is Project Rousseau a public or private company?
Project Rousseau is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project Rousseau founded?
Project Rousseau was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Project Rousseau based?
Project Rousseau is headquartered in West New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project Rousseau make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are Project Rousseau's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, Bottom Line, HIAS, American Indian College Fund, Make the Road New York, iMentor, Door (formerly The Door) and Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC. Year Up is listed as an emerging player. International Rescue Committee is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Project Rousseau have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project Rousseau.
What industry is Project Rousseau in?
Project Rousseau's product category is Youth Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADALAC, NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery, with a secondary code of EDAAADAI, Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.