Restore Or Retreat

What Restore Or Retreat does

Restore Or Retreat, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coastal advocacy organization founded in 2000 and based in Thibodaux, Louisiana, focused on preserving and restoring the Barataria and Terrebonne estuary basins of coastal Louisiana. The organization advocates for and supports nature-based restoration solutions, including freshwater and sediment diversions, dredged-material marsh creation, barrier island restoration, shoreline protection, and more recently oyster reef and mangrove planting, across approximately 4.2 million acres of estuarine habitat. It does not develop software or technology products; its deliverables are project advocacy, on-the-ground restoration events, and stakeholder convening rather than commercial IP.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit funding model. Revenue is generated through individual and corporate membership dues across six tiers (Friend $100+ through Platinum $10,000+), annual cash and securities donations, corporate and foundation grants (from CPRA's Conservation and Restoration Partnership Fund, National Wildlife Federation, CWPPRA, and others), employee matching-gift programs, and event fundraising led by the annual Rendezvous. All contributions are tax-deductible; the EIN is 72-1474850.

Go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven. RoR convenes volunteer plantings, beach cleanups, and educational workshops in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes; co-leads the COAST (Coastal Advocacy Through Science Training) leadership program with LSU Sea Grant and The Water Institute of the Gulf, funded in part by BHP; and partners with CPRA, Ducks Unlimited, NOAA, Chevron, Greater Lafourche Port Commission, North Lafourche Levee District, Nicholls State University, BTNEP, Entergy, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful, among others. Customer segments are native coastal communities, K-12 and youth workforce, federal and state government officials, and broader community supporters. The organization is led by Executive Director Dr. Joseph Orgeron and Project Coordinator Polly Glover, with a 1-10 employee footprint.

Name

Restore Or Retreat

Legal name

Restore or Retreat, Inc.

Website

https://restoreorretreat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Restore or Retreat is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that advocates for and coordinates coastal restoration — including marsh creation, freshwater diversions, barrier island restoration, and oyster reef building — across Louisiana's Barataria and Terrebonne basins, serving coastal communities, tribal groups, and state and federal stakeholders through volunteer events, grants, and partnership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy and Coastal Restoration

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF), Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

Keywords

• Coastal restoration advocacy
• Volunteer marsh planting
• Environmental conservation programs
• Nonprofit habitat restoration
• Community coastal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Thibodaux

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Tax-deductible membership contributions at various levels (Friend $100+, Associate $500-$999, Bronze $1,000-$2,499, Silver $2,500-$4,999, Gold $5,000-$9,999, Platinum $10,000+)
2. Annual Donations: Cash, check, credit card, or online donations that are tax-deductible
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Funding from organizations such as Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's Conservation and Restoration Partnership Fund, National Wildlife Federation, and other partners
4. Employee Giving Programs: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations dollar-for-dollar or percentage-based
5. Securities Donations: Appreciated stock donations providing tax benefits to donors including avoiding capital gains taxes and deducting fair market value
6. Event Fundraising: Annual Rendezvous fundraiser events and other community fundraising activities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Restore or Retreat, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates for and coordinates nature-based coastal restoration projects — including freshwater and sediment diversions, marsh creation, barrier island restoration, and shoreline protection — in Louisiana's Barataria and Terrebonne Basins. The organization delivers its impact through volunteer planting and cleanup events, the COAST leadership development program, policy advocacy with federal and state agencies, and community education initiatives.

Product overview

Restore or Retreat, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coastal advocacy organization serving the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins of Louisiana. The organization does not offer traditional software products or technology platforms. Rather, it provides advocacy services, community engagement programs, volunteer coordination for coastal restoration activities (including marsh planting, mangrove planting, oyster reef building, and beach cleanups), educational workshops, and the COAST (Coastal Advocacy Through Science Training) leadership development program. These programs connect coastal science with community engagement to promote nature-based restoration solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COAST Program: A collaborative leadership development initiative for native communities in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, linking coastal restoration with coastal culture through scientific and social impact examination.

Products and services

• Volunteer Coastal Restoration Programs
• COAST Program (Coastal Advocacy Through Science Training)
• Annual Rendezvous Fundraiser
• Working for Our Coast Youth Workforce Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Bayou Decade Project restored 473 acres of marsh and 11,000+ feet of ridge habitat in Terrebonne Parish
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DanosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Energy and construction company that led an event with Restore or Retreat focused on energy conservation collaboration in coastal restoration.
• Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary state agency partner for implementing Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan. Restore or Retreat advocates for CPRA projects, participates in community meetings, and supports project implementation in Barataria and Terrebonne Basins.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Port Fourchon Terraces vegetative planting project (Phase 1, 2, and 3). Ducks Unlimited provides expertise and support for mangrove planting and marsh restoration activities.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant provider funding West Grand Terre marsh planting project. Partnership enables restoration work supporting habitat and storm protection.
• Louisiana Sea Grant / LSUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of COAST program providing coastal science education and training to native communities in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.
• The Water Institute of the GulfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of COAST program providing applied research and science support for coastal community engagement and restoration planning.
• South-WingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides aerial survey flights for coastal tours, enabling congressional staff and community members to view coastal projects and land loss from the air.
• Greater Lafourche Port CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort authority partner supporting coastal advocacy efforts. Port Fourchon services 18% of U.S. oil supply and is critical to coastal economy.
• North Lafourche Levee DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal levee district partner for hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects including Morganza-to-the-Gulf system.
• Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on protecting and restoring the Barataria and Terrebonne estuary systems through community engagement.
• Nicholls State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner hosting Restore or Retreat offices and collaborating on COAST program, coastal education, and Nicholls Coastal Center development.
• Fletcher Technical Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting Working for Our Coast events and providing facilities for coastal workforce training programs.
• NatrxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in energy conservation collaboration event along with Danos, focused on coastal restoration and nature-based solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ducks Unlimited (Louisiana): National habitat and wetland conservation nonprofit with a major Louisiana Gulf Coast initiative. Ducks Unlimited is an active RoR implementation partner on the Port Fourchon Terraces mangrove planting project, sharing the marsh and wetland restoration mission.
• Healthy Gulf: Regional advocacy nonprofit (formerly Gulf Restoration Network) focused on Gulf Coast environmental protection, coastal restoration, and policy advocacy. Shares RoR's hybrid advocacy-and-grassroots organizing model targeting Louisiana coastal issues.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL): Statewide Louisiana nonprofit focused on coastal restoration, oyster reef building, and marsh planting volunteer events. CRCL is the most direct peer—RoR Project Coordinator Polly Glover sits on CRCL's board, and the organizations coordinate on overlapping restoration programs.
• Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP): Congressionally designated National Estuary Program serving the exact same Barataria-Terrebonne basins as RoR. BTNEP is a confirmed RoR partner with overlapping community engagement and estuary restoration mandates, making it the closest geographic and mission peer.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Louisiana): Global environmental nonprofit with a major Louisiana chapter focused on coastal restoration, Mississippi River diversions, and marsh creation. Operates the same nature-based restoration solutions in overlapping geographies, including a long-running partnership with CPRA.
• National Wildlife Federation (Gulf Program): National conservation organization with a dedicated Gulf restoration grantmaking program. NWF is a confirmed RoR grant funder for the West Grand Terre marsh planting project, sitting at the intersection of national advocacy and Gulf Coast restoration.
• Environmental Defense Fund (Gulf Program): National environmental advocacy and science organization with a substantial Gulf Coast restoration and climate resilience program. Operates at a larger scale but shares RoR's interest in marsh creation, freshwater diversions, and Louisiana coastal policy.

Emerging players

• Mississippi River Delta Restoration Coalition: Coalition advocating for large-scale Mississippi River delta restoration including freshwater and sediment diversions—projects that are central to RoR's solutions portfolio. A peer in policy advocacy rather than direct on-the-ground implementation.

Regional players

• Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation: Louisiana-based nonprofit focused on coastal restoration, water quality, and community advocacy around the Lake Pontchartrain basin. Operates the same advocacy-restoration hybrid model in a different but adjacent Louisiana geography, with similar reliance on volunteer events and policy engagement.
• Pontchartrain Conservancy: Louisiana-based nonprofit operating community education, restoration, and advocacy programs around the Pontchartrain basin. Smaller and more education-focused, but a structural peer in the Louisiana coastal nonprofit ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RestoreRetreat
• Facebookfacebook.com/RestoreRetreat
• Instagraminstagram.com/restoreretreat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/restoreorretreat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Restore Or Retreat