The Mustard Seed

What The Mustard Seed does

The Mustard Seed is a private 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit community founded in 1981 in Brandon, Mississippi, that provides residential, day, and arts programming for adults with developmental disabilities (referred to as "Seedsters"). Operating from a nearly 13-acre main campus at 1085 Luckney Road, the organization runs two on-campus group homes housing 20 residents total (10 women, 10 men) under live-in house parents, plus a Monday–Friday day program and a ceramics art workshop. Ancillary programs include the Bells of Faith handbell choir (performing since 1983), Special Olympics and recreational activities, Bible studies, and Fun Friday outings. The nonprofit employs 11–50 staff and serves 41 total Seedsters ranging in age from 22 to 69.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: client tuition and fees (~25% of the operating budget, including $1,681–$2,070.50/month residential rates and tiered $221.50–$721/month day program rates), tax-deductible donations and contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches (~75% of revenue), and gift shop sales of Seedsters' ceramics and crafts (over 23% of annual income). The organization deliberately declines government funding. Products are distributed through two physical gift shops (Brandon main campus and Ridgeland, opened January 2023), an e-commerce store at shopmustardseedms.org, mobile pop-up shops, and third-party retail partners including Ginger's, Petal Pushers, Mississippi State Capitol Gift Shop, and Two Mississippi Museums. The go-to-market approach is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within the special needs community, church networks, volunteer programs, and an admissions process built around monthly campus tours, applications, and trial visits.

Name

The Mustard Seed

Legal name

The Mustard Seed, Inc.

Website

https://mustardseedms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Mustard Seed is a Christian 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 in Brandon, Mississippi, providing residential group homes, day programs, ceramics arts, and community activities for 41 adults with developmental disabilities, funded by tuition, donations, and gift shop sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential group homes
• Adult day programs
• Christian community care
• Special needs ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Brandon

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Client Tuition and Fees: Monthly tuition fees from Full-Time Resident and Day Program clients generate approximately 1/4 of the annual operating budget. Fees vary by program type: single room $2,070.50/month, double room $1,681/month, and day programs ranging from $221.50-$721/month depending on days attended.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible contributions, donations, and memorial/honorarium gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches generate approximately 3/4 of operating revenue. The organization is a private 501(c)(3) and by choice does not accept government funding.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Sale of Seedsters' ceramics and crafts (painted ceramic pieces, stationery, makeup bags, and other unique gift items) both online and in physical gift shops. This stream brings in over 23% of annual income.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual Squeeze the Day lemonade stand fundraiser held April-May, community fundraising events, and corporate sponsorships (e.g., Watkins, GB). Individuals can register their own lemonade stands to raise funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Mustard Seed operates a Christ-centered residential and day program community for adults with developmental disabilities, serving 41 Seedsters (ages 22-69) including 20 full-time residents housed in separate men's and women's group homes on its 13-acre Brandon, Mississippi campus. Core services include supervised residential group home living, a Monday-Friday Day Program of recreational and spiritual activities, a ceramics art program whose pieces are sold through owned gift shops and online, and the Bells of Faith handbell choir ministry that has performed since 1981.

Product overview

The Mustard Seed is a private 501(c)(3) Christian community for adults with developmental disabilities, not a technology company. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including two residential Group Homes (housing 20 total residents), a Day Program (Monday-Friday), a Ceramics/Art Program that generates 23% of annual revenue through sales, the Bells of Faith Handbell Choir ministry, two Gift Shops, and various off-campus recreational activities. Programs are complemented by volunteer opportunities and annual fundraising events like Squeeze the Day. The Mustard Seed operates from a 13-acre campus in Brandon, MS with a second gift shop location in Ridgeland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Group Homes (Women's & Men's)
• Day Program
• Ceramics/Art Program
• Bells of Faith Handbell Choir
• Gift Shops (Brandon Campus & Ridgeland)
• Off-Campus Activities (Fun Fridays and community outings)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 23% of annual income generated through Seedsters' ceramics artwork sales
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Ginger'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Retail location in Historic Downtown Corinth, MS (401 North Fillmore Street) selling Mustard Seed gifts and ceramics.
• Petal Pushers IndianolaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail location in Indianola, MS (304 Hwy 82 East) selling Mustard Seed gifts.
• Mississippi State Capitol Gift ShopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState government gift shop at the Mississippi State Capitol (400 High Street, Room 110A, Jackson) selling Mustard Seed products.
• Two Mississippi MuseumsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMuseum gift shop location (222 North Street, #1206) selling Mustard Seed products.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National organization with state and local chapters providing advocacy, residential, and day services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps on residential and day programs but operates as a federated advocacy and service network.
• Chimes International: Nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and behavioral health services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across several states. Comparable residential and day program offerings at a larger scale.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing day programs, residential services, and therapies for people with disabilities including IDD. A much larger incumbent with overlapping services (adult day, residential, employment) but a secular, multi-state footprint.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National network providing residential, day, and therapeutic services to people with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Comparable service mix including group homes and adult day programs, but at national scale.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit pairing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in friendships, jobs, and leadership programs. Adjacent mission focus with less emphasis on residential care; relevant peer on the social and employment engagement side.

Direct peers

• JARC (Jewish Association for Residential Care): Michigan-based nonprofit providing residential homes, day programs, and supported living for adults with developmental disabilities. Direct peer in faith-rooted group-home model, though culturally Jewish rather than Christian.
• L'Arche USA: Federation of faith-rooted intentional communities providing residential homes and day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Closest direct peer in mission, residential model, and volunteer-driven operating ethos.
• Christian Horizons: Faith-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and community living services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across multiple states. Direct mission and operational peer to The Mustard Seed at a multi-state scale.

Regional players

• AbilityFirst: California-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and camp programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Strong operational parallel (residential, day, social enterprise) but geographically concentrated in Southern California.

Others

• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through federal AbilityOne contracts. Adjacent to the ceramics/workshop program aspect of The Mustard Seed's vocational mission rather than direct residential care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mustardseedinflowood
• Instagraminstagram.com/mustardseedms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-mustard-seed-in-flowood-ms

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 The Mustard Seed