What Independence Center does

Independence Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based rehabilitation organization headquartered at 4245 Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1981. It serves 1,500+ adults per year with serious and persistent mental illness — primarily Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD — using the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation, an evidence-based framework in which participants are "members" rather than patients. The organization is the second-largest Clubhouse worldwide out of 370+ and one of only 12 designated global training bases for the model under Clubhouse International accreditation.

The service portfolio is vertically integrated: residential housing across six properties (~108 units spanning 24-hour forensic-discharge care to independent-living senior apartments), IC Health Group (psychiatric care including medication management, TMS, and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression), community support (case management, crisis intervention, CSC-FEP for first-episode psychosis, ITCD for co-occurring substance use), Clubhouse-based employment services (transitional and supported employment using the IPS model), education support (GED through graduate degrees), an on-site wellness program with fitness center, and a working upscale resale shop (Clubhouse Shop) that doubles as a vocational training site. The organization also generates fee-based revenue through a two-week Colleague Training program ($5,000–$7,000 per organization) for other Clubhouses implementing the model.

Revenue mechanics are mixed: government healthcare funding via Medicaid, Medicare, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and the Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation funds the bulk of clinical and program operations; philanthropy (~$1M/yr from regional donors, plus a Legacy Fund planned giving program and stock gifts processed through Commerce Bank) covers fundraising-dependent elements; the Clubhouse Shop generates transaction-fee revenue used for member job training; and Colleague Training fees monetize the organization's intellectual capital. Clinical delivery is supported by partnerships with Washington University School of Medicine psychiatrists (Dr. Sarah Hartz serves as Medical Director) and BJC HealthCare. CARF accreditation covers the Healthcare Home program; additional approvals span HIPAA-compliant telehealth, Title VI Civil Rights compliance, and IRS 501(c)(3) status (EIN 43-1195240).

Name

Independence Center

Legal name

Independence Center

Website

https://independencecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Independence Center is a St. Louis 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1981, delivering the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation to 1,500+ adults with serious mental illness annually across residential housing, psychiatric care (including TMS and Spravato), employment, education, and community support services. It is the world's second-largest Clubhouse and one of only 12 global Clubhouse training bases.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

Keywords

• Mental health services
• Psychosocial rehabilitation
• Supported employment services
• Community mental health
• Behavioral health care

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Gifts: Donations and gifts from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations; approximately $1 million of annual support from regional donors; major giving program for upper-level donors; stock gifts accepted through Commerce Bank
2. Government Healthcare Funding: Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and provides services to uninsured individuals; funded through Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Fund: Estate planning donations ensuring long-term organizational sustainability; donors include founding families legacy
4. Clubhouse Shop Revenue: Upscale resale shop selling donated furniture, clothing, artwork, and housewares; proceeds benefit Independence Center mission

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Independence Center is a nonprofit mental health organization in St. Louis that operates the second-largest Clubhouse in the world, providing psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services to adults with serious mental illness. The center delivers a comprehensive, integrated continuum of care that includes the Clubhouse Program, psychiatric care, residential housing, supported employment, education, and wellness programming. Services are provided through an integrated Healthcare Home model combining clinical, social, and vocational supports.

Product overview

Independence Center is a community-based nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of mental health services built around the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation. The core offerings include the Clubhouse Program (providing membership-based rehabilitation with work-ordered days, employment, education, and wellness components), IC Health Group (psychiatric care including medication management, therapy, TMS and Spravato treatments), Community Support (case management and crisis services), and Residential Housing (multiple facilities from 24-hour care to independent living apartments). Supporting services include the Clubhouse Shop (upscale resale store for job training), Education & Training, Employment Services (Transitional and Supported Employment), Wellness Program with on-site fitness center, CSC-FEP for first-episode psychosis, and ITCD for co-occurring disorders. The organization also offers Colleague Training for other organizations implementing Clubhouse models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clubhouse Program
• IC Health Group
• Community Support
• Employment Services
• Education & Training
• Wellness Program
• Residential Housing
• Clubhouse Shop
• CSC-FEP (Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis)
• ITCD (Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders)
• Colleague Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% of members who expressed interest in employment were employed within 6 months or less
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Clubhouse InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Clubhouse International was established in 1994 to promote the development and strengthening of clubhouses; oversees standards, training, certification, research and advocacy. Independence Center is an accredited member, one of 370+ worldwide, and one of only 12 training bases globally for this evidence-based model.
• Missouri Department of Mental HealthcoreOthersState agency providing funding and regulatory oversight for mental health services; Independence Center is a DMH-funded provider
• Missouri Department of Vocational RehabilitationcoreOthersState agency providing vocational rehabilitation services; partners with Independence Center for employment services for people with mental illness
• Washington University School of Medicine - PsychiatrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWash U psychiatrists (Dr. Sarah Hartz - Medical Director, Vasillis Hristidis) provide psychiatric services at Independence Center Health Group; ongoing clinical collaboration
• BJC HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBJC provides psychiatric services as part of Independence Center Health Group; Midwest Psychiatry opened as part of BJC in 1985; Dr. Kelly Johnson from BJC Behavioral Health serves on Board of Directors
• IPS (Individual Placement and Support) WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPS is the evidence-based model for supported employment; Independence Center integrates IPS model into Clubhouse culture for employment services
• United Way of Greater St. LouismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud partner of United Way; receives community support and referrals through United Way network
• Community Partners for Health Fair 2025minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partners for annual Health Fair including Affinia, BJC Move, SSM Health, St Louis Pharmacy, STL Food Bank, NAMI-StLouis, Operation Food Search, Paraquad, Commerce Healthcare, CareSTL, American Lung Association, Excel
• GadellNetmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Paddle Battle 2026 pickleball fundraiser
• The Royal Sonesta Chase Park PlazamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for first annual Independence Center Paddle Battle pickleball tournament 2025
• CICcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner recognized as Employer of the Year 2025 at Independence Center's Employer Appreciation Breakfast; provides transitional and supported employment opportunities for members
• Aloft St. Louis CortexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partner providing lodging for Colleague Training program participants as part of tuition; Marriott hotel near Independence Center's St. Louis location
• Donut Drive-inminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner for Donut Lose Hope mental health awareness campaign in September; created special donuts to spark conversations about mental health and hope
• Missouri Pickleball ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Paddle Battle pickleball tournament at 15446 Manchester Rd, Ellisville, MO 63011

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fountain House: The original Clubhouse model founded in New York City in 1948 and one of the largest Clubhouses globally. Directly comparable to Independence Center as both operate accredited Clubhouse psychosocial rehabilitation programs serving adults with serious mental illness through work-ordered day, housing, employment, and education services.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing psychosocial rehabilitation, housing, and employment services for adults with serious mental illness. Comparable operating model with multiple residential sites, supported employment, and integrated clinical services.
• Skills of Central Pennsylvania: Accredited Clubhouse International member serving adults with mental illness in central Pennsylvania. Direct peer operating under the same evidence-based Clubhouse model with employment, housing, and education programming.

Regional players

• Places for People: St. Louis-based community mental health center providing behavioral health, housing, and case management for individuals with serious mental illness. Direct regional peer serving the same St. Louis population with overlapping services.
• Affinia Healthcare: St. Louis Federally Qualified Health Center providing integrated behavioral and physical health services. Comparable in offering integrated care to underserved populations and is a Health Fair partner of Independence Center.
• CareSTL Health: St. Louis FQHC providing primary care, behavioral health, and supportive services. Comparable in serving low-income populations with integrated care models and is a Health Fair partner of Independence Center.
• NAMI St. Louis: St. Louis affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness providing support groups, education, and advocacy for individuals with mental illness and their families. Comparable regional peer in the St. Louis mental health support ecosystem and Health Fair partner.

Broad incumbents

• BJC Behavioral Health: St. Louis-based behavioral health provider and Independence Center's clinical partner. Comparable services including psychiatric care and counseling, though embedded within a much larger integrated health system.
• Mental Health America: National nonprofit addressing mental health needs through advocacy, education, and community-based programs. Comparable as a similarly mission-driven nonprofit serving individuals with mental illness, though operating at significantly larger geographic scale.

Others

• Clubhouse International: Umbrella organization that accredits, trains, and supports the global network of 370+ Clubhouses. Independence Center is a member, training base, and the second-largest Clubhouse globally, making this the parent standards body governing the model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IndependenceCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/icstlouis
• Instagraminstagram.com/independencecenter
• Xx.com/IndpndncCntr

Compliance5 records

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 Independence Center