Highland Center

What Highland Center does

The Highland Center is a non-profit community center established in 2013 and located at 520 Olive Street in the Highland neighborhood of Shreveport, Louisiana. It operates as a community anchor institution delivering wraparound services to low-income residents of the Highland neighborhood through a coalition of 13+ congregations and nonprofit partner organizations. Its core programming includes weekly meal services (the Highland Blessing Dinner serving approximately 450 people each Thursday and a $5 Fellowship Lunch on Tuesdays), HUD-certified housing counseling and First Time Homebuyers Workshops ($20 per person), free tax preparation through the VITA program (700+ returns annually returning $500,000+ to the community), clothing closets for infants, children, and adults, a community library with computer access, and the Hand Up Loans program (a low-interest payday-loan alternative administered with Pelican State Credit Union and Citizens Bank & Trust). Partner-operated programs on-site include The Arc Caddo-Bossier's Goldman School child development center and Volunteers of America North Louisiana's Lighthouse Teen Club, alongside senior wellness, digital literacy, and healthcare screening services delivered by other partner organizations.

The Highland Center's business model is a hybrid of donations, earned revenue, and in-kind contributions. Donations from individuals, churches, and organizations (including the designated Maggie Lee for Good fund) form the financial backbone. Earned revenue streams include nominal program fees (First Time Homebuyers Workshop at $20, Fellowship Lunch at $5), thrift store sales, and facility rentals (office space starting at $275/month, meeting rooms at $25/hour, gym rentals). Distribution is entirely through the single on-site community hub at 520 Olive Street, where services are delivered via drop-in access, scheduled appointments, and community events. Customer acquisition relies on word-of-mouth referrals, partner organization networks, and a monthly email newsletter. Headcount is reported as 1-10 employees, supplemented by an extensive volunteer base drawn from the coalition partners. The organization is governed by its member churches, with no external investors, parent company, or venture capital involvement.

The underlying technology is minimal: a basic GoDaddy-built website with booking and contact forms, and a "community services platform" designation with no proprietary features. There are no mobile applications, no AI/ML capabilities, and no disclosed integrations beyond standard web tools. Service delivery is fundamentally human-driven, with technology playing a supporting rather than differentiating role.

Name

Highland Center

Legal name

The Highland Center

Website

https://highlandcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Highland Center is a non-profit community center in Shreveport, Louisiana that delivers wraparound social services—including meals, HUD-certified housing counseling, free tax preparation, clothing assistance, and youth and senior programs—to low-income residents of the Highland neighborhood through a coalition of 13+ churches and partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAL

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Community services
• Housing counseling
• Free tax preparation
• Nonprofit community center
• Facility rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisiana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, churches, and organizations to fund its programs and services.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for specific programs including First Time Homebuyers Workshops ($20/person), Fellowship Lunch ($5), and office space rental (starting at $275/month).
3. Thrift Store Sales: Affordable home goods sold at the Highland Thrift Store with proceeds supporting center programs.
4. Space Rental: Revenue from renting office space to mission-driven organizations, meeting rooms ($25/hour), and gym bookings.
5. Special Fund Donations: Designated donations through the Maggie Lee for Good fund supporting the Maggie Lee Closet and annual Khaki Fair for school uniforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Highland Center operates a physical community hub delivering wraparound human services to residents of the Highland neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. Core offerings include HUD-certified housing counseling and first-time homebuyer workshops, free tax preparation (VITA), weekly meal programs (Highland Blessing Dinner and Fellowship Lunch), clothing closets, a thrift store, a community library, and Hand Up Loans as a low-interest payday-loan alternative. The center also rents office space, meeting rooms, and a gym to mission-driven organizations and community members.

Product overview

The Highland Center is a community center offering a portfolio of social services, facility rentals, and community programs. Core offerings include housing counseling and First Time Homebuyers Workshops through HUD-certified counselors, free tax preparation services (VITA), and weekly meal programs (Highland Blessing Dinner, Fellowship Lunch). The center also provides facility rentals including office space, gym, and meeting rooms. Additional services include clothing closets, a thrift store, community library, and financial support programs like Hand Up Loans. The center operates as a hub for the Highland neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana, serving approximately 450 people weekly through various ministries and programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Time Homebuyers Workshops Monthly homebuyer education workshop covering qualifying for a mortgage, shopping for a home, working with a realtor, home inspections, mortgage terms, and the closing process. Priced at $20 per person and targeted at first-time homebuyers in the Highland neighborhood.
• Individual Housing Counseling One-on-one sessions with a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor providing guidance on homebuying planning, improving rental housing, post-home purchase counseling, credit and budget, tax preparation, and emergency loans at no cost. Targeted at individuals seeking financial stability.
• Office Space Rental Multi-room office suites and single rooms available for mission-driven organizations. Single rooms start at $275 per month and include access to conference meeting rooms with shared amenities including kitchenette, reception, and trainings.
• Gym Rental Indoor basketball gymnasium available for rental for birthday parties, family reunions, exercise programs, and other private events.
• Community Spaces Rental of meeting rooms ($25/hour, up to 25 guests), nonprofit member services with private mailbox, and the Chapel. Includes Wi-Fi and efficiency kitchen access.
• Free Tax Prep (VITA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offering free basic tax return preparation for households earning $69,000 or less. Volunteers prepare over 700 tax returns annually, returning over $500,000 to the community with an average $275 savings per family.
• Highland Blessing Dinner A free, weekly, family-style dinner served on Thursdays at 5:30 pm for anyone in the community. Volunteers welcome to help serve or host. Currently serves 450+ people weekly.
• Fellowship Lunch A $5 social meal for adults served every Tuesday at 12:00 pm in the gym, including an entree, side, salad, and dessert.
• Highland Community Library Library with over 1,000 books, desktop computers, and printing services. Open Monday-Saturday with volunteer assistance available on Saturdays.
• Clothing Closets Free clothing distribution including The Little Clothesline (newborns to toddlers), Maggie Lee's Closet (children's clothing and school uniforms), and Men's and Women's clothing closets. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12pm-4pm.
• Thrift Store Affordable donated home goods sold at discounted rates to support Highland Center Ministries programs. Open every Tuesday and Saturday, 10am-2pm.
• Hand Up Loans Low-interest loans as an alternative to payday lending for emergencies. Administered by Pelican State Credit Union or Citizens Bank & Trust.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 450 people weekly at Highland Blessing Dinner
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Highland Center Ministries CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Coalition of 13+ congregations (All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Church for the Highlands, First Baptist Church Shreveport, First Presbyterian Church Shreveport, First United Methodist Shreveport, King's Highway Christian Church, Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Mark's Cathedral, St. Luke's Episcopal Medical Ministry, and Volunteers of America of North Louisiana) working together to develop resources and programs for Highland neighborhood residents.
• The Arc Caddo-BossiercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Goldman School, a high-quality Child Development Center at Highland Center serving children ages 8 weeks to 4 years old as their second campus.
• Volunteers of America North LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Lighthouse Teen Club at Highland Center providing safe haven for high school students to work on homework, plan for careers, and serve the community. Also provides Level Up financial literacy program.
• Girls Empowered for More Society (GEMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides platforms and programming for girls to excel in STEM, leadership, and entrepreneurship at Highland Center.
• Project I/OminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit dedicated to providing digital literacy programs and advocating for broadband access. Provides computer help hour and basic computer skills training at Highland Center.
• Church for the HighlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Francis Episcopal Church that works to build the Beloved Community. Oversees the Chapel at Highland Center and provides initial investment for Hand Up Loans program.
• The Bridge (Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult Day Center at Highland Center offering vital respite for caregivers while providing individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias with engaging social opportunities.
• St. Luke's Episcopal Mobile Medical MinistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides regular visits to Highland Center for free health screenings.
• MeSCO at LSU Health ShreveportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-run free clinic that regularly visits Highland Center for free health screenings.
• NWLA RASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowering Latino and Hispanic communities in Northwest Louisiana by providing support, social, and educational services.
• Literacy Volunteers at Centenary CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Adult Reading Class available through Highland Community Library.
• Pelican State Credit UnionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministers Hand Up Loans program, a low-interest payday loan alternative for neighbors.
• Citizens Bank & TrustminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCoordinates Hand Up Loans program as a payday loan alternative.
• Basic NecessitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides diapers, period products, and incontinence supplies at no cost to people in ArkLaTex experiencing economic challenges.
• Lotus Studios SBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers belly-dance, yoga, and drumming classes for movement and fun at Highland Center.
• Shreveport GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Mobile Market with fresh produce for sale at affordable rates on third Tuesdays at 12pm.
• Highland Neighborhood AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteers working to keep Highland a vibrant, creative, and historic neighborhood. Hosts Second Saturday clean-ups and quarterly neighborhood meetings.
• We Grow TogetherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden project supported by Noel Memorial UMC. Volunteers meet at 4pm-5pm on Mondays at the Garden located on corner of Herndon and Stephens.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Feeding America: National food distribution network supporting community meal programs like the Highland Blessing Dinner through its partner food banks (Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is a Highland Center partner).

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Faith-based nonprofit network providing housing counseling, financial assistance, food programs, and case management through parish-affiliated community centers—closely aligned with Highland Center's congregation-anchored model in Shreveport.
• United Way Worldwide: Federated nonprofit that coordinates cross-organization fundraising and program funding for community services; Highland Center's multi-congregation coalition model resembles a hyperlocal version of United Way's coordination structure.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Operates neighborhood-based youth programming in low-income communities, comparable to Highland Center's Lighthouse Teen Club, GEMS STEM program, and after-school/homework offerings targeting Highland youth.
• The Salvation Army: Faith-based organization delivering meals, housing services, financial assistance, and senior/child programs at neighborhood centers—matching Highland Center's mix of weekly community meals, financial counseling, and family support services.
• Goodwill Industries International: Operates a thrift-store-funded community services model analogous to Highland Center's thrift store and reuse of earned revenue to fund community programs, but at national scale across workforce training and financial stability services.
• YMCA of the USA: Community-anchor institution model offering facility rentals (gym, meeting rooms), youth programming, senior wellness, and donated/subsidized community services—the same mix of facility rental, youth, and senior offerings present at Highland Center.

Direct peers

• Volunteers of America: National faith-based nonprofit that, through its North Louisiana chapter, is an active in-house partner at Highland Center operating the Lighthouse Teen Club and Level Up financial literacy program. Operates the same multi-program community service model across the U.S.
• Mercy Housing: Nonprofit providing affordable housing, resident services, and financial counseling for low-income households, similar in scope to Highland Center's housing counseling and Hand Up Loans financial support programming.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Nonprofit focused on affordable housing and homebuyer education, closely mirroring Highland Center's HUD-certified housing counseling, First Time Homebuyers Workshops, and down payment assistance programming for low-income households.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highland Center