Pony Bird
Pony Bird is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that provides residential, vocational, respite, and family-support services to over 1,100 individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities across 11 locations in the St. Louis metropolitan region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersMapaville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pony Bird does
Pony Bird, Inc. is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 that provides residential, vocational, and family-support services to individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities across the St. Louis metropolitan region. The organization operates four core programs—Community Living, Community Support Services, Employment Services, and Family Support & Leisure—delivered through 11 service locations spanning 8 Missouri counties and serving over 1,100 individuals of all ages and their families. Specialized sub-programs include a 24/7 Respite Home, MyCare in-home respite vouchers, the Summer Work Experience transition program, supported employment placement with regional employers (Walmart, Mercy, Schnucks, Home Depot, Lowes, and others), the KidStart Disability Awareness and Lending Library programs, and Sibshops for siblings of children with disabilities.
Pony Bird holds CARF International and Better Business Bureau accreditations, is credentialed as a Missouri DMH/DDA provider, and operates with a licensed nursing and Direct Support Professional workforce. Revenue is generated through a mix of government program reimbursement (Missouri DMH/DDA service-coordinator referrals, DD Waiver funding, MyCare respite vouchers), individual and corporate donations, planned giving via the Pegasus Society and Pony Bird Pegasus Endowment, employer matching-gift programs, the Schnucks eScrip Community Card program, and merchandise sales through an online branded-apparel shop. In July 2022, Pony Bird merged with NextStep for Life (formerly Exceptional Ones, Inc.), consolidating two long-standing regional disability service organizations and expanding Pony Bird's service footprint.
The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with no parent company, outside investors, or equity holders. The management team includes a President & CEO, CFO, and four Vice Presidents covering Operations & Administration, Program Services, and Health Services, with program-level Directors overseeing each of the four core service lines. Pony Bird maintains a community-focused marketing approach through its website, bi-annual Pony Pages e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube channels, alongside an annual golf tournament and ongoing advocacy for Missouri Developmental Disability Services funding.
Pony Bird firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pony Bird
- Legal name
- Pony Bird, Inc.
- Website
- https://ponybird.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Pony Bird is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that provides residential, vocational, respite, and family-support services to over 1,100 individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities across 11 locations in the St. Louis metropolitan region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Pony Bird is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mapaville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Pony Bird business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Monetary Gifts: Direct cash gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and community members. Donations help purchase equipment and provide items that benefit the quality of life for individuals served.
- Planned Giving and Endowments: Pegasus Society accepts planned gifts of $10,000 or more. Pony Bird Pegasus Endowment allows for one-time or annual donations to generate perpetual income stream.
- Matching Employer Donations: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations to Pony Bird.
- Community Card Programs: Schnucks eScrip Community Card program where Schnucks contributes to Pony Bird with every purchase made by registered cardholders.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling Pony Bird branded apparel and swag. Proceeds support programs and services.
- Government Program Funding: Respite care services funded through DMH/DDA (Missouri Department of Mental Health/Division of Developmental Disabilities) service coordinator referrals, self-referrals with approved DD Waiver funding, and MyCare respite voucher program.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels9 records
Pony Bird product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pony Bird is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization that provides residential living, day programs, supported employment, respite care, and family support services to individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. Services are delivered across 11 locations in the St. Louis metropolitan region through four core program areas: Community Living, Community Support Services, Employment Services, and Family Support & Leisure. The organization is funded through government programs (Missouri DMH/DDA, Medicaid waivers, MyCare), donations, and grants, and serves over 1,100 individuals annually.
Product overview
Pony Bird operates as a not-for-profit disability services organization offering a unified platform of four core program areas: Community Living, Community Support Services, Employment Services, and Family Support & Leisure. The organization provides residential care, day programs, employment assistance, and family support services to individuals with disabilities. Within these core programs are specialized modules including the Pony Bird Respite Home, MyCare Respite vouchers, Leisure Services with recreational activities, KidStart educational programs, and the Summer Work Experience transition program. Pony Bird merged with NextStep for Life in 2022, expanding its service footprint across the St. Louis metropolitan region at multiple locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Living Residential support services offering the opportunity to learn independent living skills in a safe, warm, and supportive home environment that nurtures independence, self-worth, and living skills while promoting community involvement. For individuals of all ages with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities.
- Community Support Services
- Employment Services Vocational support program that discovers, complements, and develops vocational abilities while providing support for individuals to obtain and retain meaningful employment through job discovery, exploration, development, coaching, and retention services. For individuals with disabilities seeking employment.
- Family Support & Leisure
- Summer Work Experience
- Pony Bird Respite Home
- MyCare Respite
- Leisure Services
- Supported Employment
- KidStart Disability Awareness Program
- KidStart Lending Library
- Family Support Sibshop
- Pony Bird Online Shop
Companies that use Pony Bird
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pony Bird technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Pony Bird partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SchnuckscoreSchnucks eScrip Community Card program where Schnucks contributes to Pony Bird with every purchase made by registered cardholders. Pick up an eScrip Community Card at local Schnucks stores and activate to support Pony Bird.
- Employment Services Employer PartnerscoreMercy, Walmart, Northwest, United FSI, LMC, Lowes, Culver's, Schnucks, Home Depot, and Pasta House serve as employment sites for Pony Bird's Employment Services program, providing job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services (MACDDS)minorAssociation membership supporting county-level developmental disability services in Missouri.
- StarlingminorStarling Missouri partnership, appears in logo section indicating collaborative relationship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pony Bird competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing residential, employment, community living, and family support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Closely comparable to Pony Bird in mission, service mix, and CARF-accredited nonprofit operating model, though operating at national scale.
- Penn-Mar Human Services: Regional nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and family support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Closely aligned with Pony Bird's person-centered service philosophy and CARF-accredited operating model.
- LifeStream Services: Nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day, employment, and therapy programs. Comparable in CARF-accredited nonprofit IDD service model and reliance on Medicaid HCBS waiver funding.
- Ability Beyond: Nonprofit providing residential, employment, day, and clinical services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Comparable in mission, service mix, and nonprofit funding model, though serving a different region.
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National nonprofit affiliate network providing residential, employment, assistive technology, and family support for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable in mission, funding mix (government + donations), and service breadth.
- The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit organization delivering residential, day, employment, and advocacy services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with affiliated state and local chapters. Directly comparable in service portfolio and IDD nonprofit positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Largest U.S. provider of home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating residential, day, and employment programs nationwide. Comparable in service model and IDD focus but operates at national scale and as a for-profit.
- RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of residential, supported employment, and behavioral health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in IDD service mix and Medicaid waiver reliance, with broader geographic reach than Pony Bird.
- Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing a broad portfolio of disability, housing, and human services including IDD residential and supported employment programs. Comparable in nonprofit operating model, multi-program service structure, and government + donation funding mix, though significantly larger and more diversified.
Regional players
- Sunrise Community: Regional nonprofit providing residential, vocational, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily in the Southeast. Comparable service portfolio to Pony Bird but a different geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pony Bird social profiles
Digital presencePony Bird financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pony Bird leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Pony Bird funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pony Bird M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pony Bird
What does Pony Bird do?
Pony Bird is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization that provides residential living, day programs, supported employment, respite care, and family support services to individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. Services are delivered across 11 locations in the St. Louis metropolitan region through four core program areas: Community Living, Community Support Services, Employment Services, and Family Support & Leisure. The organization is funded through government programs (Missouri DMH/DDA, Medicaid waivers, MyCare), donations, and grants, and serves over 1,100 individuals annually.
Is Pony Bird a public or private company?
Pony Bird is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pony Bird founded?
Pony Bird was founded in 1977. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Pony Bird based?
Pony Bird is headquartered in Mapaville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pony Bird make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations and Monetary Gifts are the primary driver. The others are planned Giving and Endowments, matching Employer Donations, community Card Programs, merchandise Sales and government Program Funding.
Who are Pony Bird's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Easterseals, Penn-Mar Human Services, LifeStream Services, Ability Beyond, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and The Arc of the United States. Broad incumbents are Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network), RHA Health Services and Volunteers of America. Sunrise Community is listed as a regional player.
Does Pony Bird have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pony Bird.