The Little Bit Foundation
The Little Bit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that delivers in-school wellness, essentials, nutrition, mental health, academic enrichment, and college/career programs to approximately 17,500 under-resourced students across 60+ school communities in the St. Louis metro and East St. Louis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMaryland Heights, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Little Bit Foundation does
The Little Bit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Maryland Heights, Missouri. It operates a "Whole Child Model" comprising five integrated program categories: Health & Nutrition, Essentials, Wellness & Family Support, Academic Enrichment, and College & Career Readiness. Services are delivered directly inside 60+ partner school communities across the St. Louis metropolitan area, including full adoptions of the Riverview Gardens and Hancock Place School Districts and a recent expansion into East St. Louis, Illinois. The organization serves approximately 17,500 students per year and has reached 45,000+ students cumulatively since inception, focusing on schools where 90%+ of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The operating model is built around in-school boutiques, in-school and mobile food markets, and weekly 1-on-1 volunteer interactions that deliver clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, school supplies, books, food, health screenings, mental health counseling, STEM programming, and college/career readiness services. Distribution relies on a partner ecosystem of 60+ mission-aligned organizations including the St. Louis Area Foodbank, Operation Food Search, Boeing, Centene Foundation, BJC HealthCare, Ameren, IFM Community Medicine, and Saint Louis University School of Nursing. The technology footprint is non-productized and limited to warehouse inventory management, volunteer scheduling, and order fulfillment systems; no proprietary software or AI capabilities are disclosed.
The organization's revenue model is a mix of individual donations (one-time and monthly, with suggested impact tiers from $50 to $5,000), corporate and foundation grants (Centene, Boeing, Mastercard, Ameren, etc.), government and public funding (St. Louis Mental Health Board, St. Louis County Children's Service Fund), annual fundraising events (Join the Journey Gala, Music Trivia, Laura's Run 4 Kids, Big Fun), and in-kind product donations. Services are provided free of charge to students and families. Leadership is led by CEO Miranda Walker Jones (since 2021) and COO Tom Tangaro (former 30-year Anheuser-Busch senior manager), with governance by a Board chaired by Sarah Bowman of PNC. The organization has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and is not M&A-eligible in a traditional sense.
The Little Bit Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Little Bit Foundation
- Legal name
- The Little Bit Foundation
- Website
- https://thelittlebitfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Little Bit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that delivers in-school wellness, essentials, nutrition, mental health, academic enrichment, and college/career programs to approximately 17,500 under-resourced students across 60+ school communities in the St. Louis metro and East St. Louis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Little Bit Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Student Wraparound Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Child Nutrition & Meal Programs (CACFP/Snack Programs) (EDACAMAA), Physical Education & Health Instruction (EDAJAFAL), School Feeding & Child Nutrition Programs (BPADAJAD)
Keywords
Where The Little Bit Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maryland Heights
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Little Bit Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals, with suggested amounts ranging from $50 to $5,000 for specific impact outcomes (clothing a child, hygiene kits, full services for a student, coats, books, stocking a boutique).
- Corporate and Foundation Grants: Partnerships with corporations (Boeing, Centene, Mastercard, Ameren, etc.) and foundations (Centene Foundation) that provide funding, in-kind donations, and programmatic support. The Centene Foundation has provided community micro-grants to youth-serving nonprofits.
- Event Fundraising: Annual events including Join the Journey Gala (raised $725,000+ in 2025), Music Trivia, Laura's Run 4 Kids, and Big Fun generate significant donations and sponsorships.
- Government and Public Funding: Funded by St. Louis Mental Health Board for wellness and family support programming, and St. Louis County Children's Service Fund for expanded programming.
- Product Donations: Accepts item donations through product drives, Amazon Wish Lists, and direct drops-offs. These in-kind donations form a significant portion of inventory distributed to students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $50 provides clothing for one child |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $100 provides hygiene kits to 7 students |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $200 supports one student for a school year |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $500 provides 30 new coats |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $1,000 provides books for an entire school |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $5,000 stocks a boutique for one school year |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Little Bit Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Little Bit Foundation delivers free, in-school wraparound programs that remove barriers to learning for under-resourced K-12 students, providing clothing, shoes, hygiene items, school supplies, food, health screenings, mental health counseling, literacy resources, STEM programming, and college/career readiness services. Programs are delivered through weekly volunteer visits to in-school boutiques and partner-operated food markets across 60+ school communities in the St. Louis region.
Product overview
The Little Bit Foundation operates as a service-based nonprofit organization implementing a Whole Child Model with five integrated program categories: Health & Nutrition, Essentials, Wellness & Family Support, Academic Enrichment, and College & Career Readiness. These programs work together to address barriers to learning for under-resourced students through food security, material needs, mental health support, literacy, STEM education, and career preparation. Programs are delivered through in-school boutiques, food markets, and partnerships with over 60 school communities serving approximately 17,500 students across the St. Louis region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Health & Nutrition Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 234,000 essential items provided in 2024-25 school year
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use The Little Bit Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Little Bit Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Little Bit Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- St. Louis Area FoodbankcorePrimary food partner operating 11 in-school food markets and monthly mobile food markets. Provides fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, and shelf-stable items distributed through Little Bit's school network.
- Operation Food SearchcorePartnership since 2013 assembling Sunny's Closet food kits for students. Over 14,000 bags distributed in first three quarters of school year, each containing breakfast, lunch, and nutritious snack items.
- BoeingcoreSTEM education partner supporting FIRST LEGO League and STEM LINGO programs. Expanded partnership in 2023 with grant enabling STEM LINGO at additional schools and Lunch and Learn sessions for 200+ high school students featuring engineering professionals.
- IFM Community MedicinecoreHealthcare partner providing health screenings, immunizations, and educational sessions through Healthy Kids, Better Learners program. Screens for vision, oral health, and provides referrals.
- Saint Louis University School of NursingcorePartner in Healthy Kids, Better Learners program providing student nurses for health education sessions in classrooms on topics including hygiene, mental health, and bullying prevention.
- Harris-Stowe State UniversityminorHost venue for What's Next College and Career Exploration Fair alongside St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, serving 900+ middle and high school students.
- St. Louis Community College-Florissant ValleyminorHost venue for What's Next College and Career Exploration Fair serving 900+ students with representatives from businesses, organizations, and educational institutions.
- STEMBoardcoreCreator of LINGO coding kit program brought to middle and high school students. Founded by former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, who has spoken to students about careers in aerospace and coding.
- Legacy CounselingcoreMental health provider providing in-school clinical therapists through The Sunshine Box program, offering crisis intervention and individual counseling for students.
- Making All Things NewcoreMental health partner providing in-school counseling services through The Sunshine Box program alongside Legacy Counseling.
- Society of St. Vincent dePaulcorePartnership since 2017 arranging assistance for families with utilities, housing, transportation, car repairs, and prescription drugs through home visits and referrals.
- St. Louis Alliance for Period SuppliescorePartner providing period supplies for students in need through Busy Bodies hygiene program.
- Chris Long Foundation / EdZonecoreLaunched EdZone partnership in December 2024 at Central Middle School and Rose Mary Johnson Jennings Junior High. EdZone lockers stocked with hygiene products housed within Little Bit boutiques. Expansion to 4 middle schools total planned.
- Ameren MOminorCorporate partner supporting Little Bit operations and mission.
- BJC HealthCareminorHealthcare system partner supporting Little Bit's health and wellness initiatives.
- Edward JonesminorFinancial services partner supporting Little Bit mission through donations and employee engagement.
- MastercardminorCorporate partner supporting Little Bit's youth programming.
- Washington UniversityminorHigher education partner supporting Little Bit mission and programs.
- AscensionminorHealthcare system partner supporting Little Bit's health initiatives.
- First Alert 4minorLocal news partner producing video segments on Little Bit program impact and community engagement.
- First Inspires / FIRST LEGO LeaguecoreInternational robotics organization partner bringing FLL competition to Riverview Gardens elementary schools. Little Bit hosts district-wide competitions and provides materials, lesson plans, and coaching support.
- iKarate ClubminorKarate and mindfulness program brought to partner schools through Centene Foundation partnership. Serves 430+ students teaching martial arts, meditation, and healthy habits.
- St. Louis Education FundcorePartner in Home Libraries initiative providing books to students with themes of resilience, cultural identity, and respect. Expanding programming to include tutoring, home visits, and parent training.
- Soles4SoulsminorShoe charity providing athletic shoes for unhoused student populations through 4EveryKid program.
- BayerminorCorporate partner with STEM education focus, participating in What's Next Fair and career exploration events.
- Enterprise HoldingsminorCorporate partner supporting Little Bit mission and programs.
- Greater St. Louis IncminorRegional economic development organization partner supporting Little Bit mission.
- St. Luke's HospitalminorHealthcare partner supporting Little Bit's health and wellness programming.
- Maryville UniversityminorHigher education partner supporting Little Bit programs.
- Help and Hope DonationsminorMaterial donations including hygiene products and essentials for student distribution.
- Supporting TogetherminorMaterial donations and support for student essential items.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Little Bit Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Catholic Charities of St. Louis: Large regional social services agency providing case management, basic needs, and counseling in the same geography; overlaps with Little Bit's Wellness & Family Support programs but through traditional casework rather than school-embedded delivery.
- United Way of Greater St. Louis: Regional United Way serving the same St. Louis footprint, funding youth-serving programs through workplace giving and grants; a likely co-funder, convening partner, and aggregator of services like those Little Bit provides directly.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis: St. Louis chapter of the national youth development network providing after-school programming, mentoring, and basic needs support to under-resourced youth in the same metro footprint as Little Bit, with overlapping funder and school district relationships.
Broad incumbents
- Feeding America: National parent network of 200+ foodbanks including the St. Louis Area Foodbank that serves as Little Bit's primary food partner; broadly comparable in addressing child food insecurity but at wholesale scale versus Little Bit's direct-to-school distribution.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization operating after-school programming, mentoring, and college/career readiness in low-income communities; comparable to Little Bit's college/career readiness and academic enrichment verticals at national scale.
Direct peers
- Communities In Schools: National nonprofit embedding coordinators inside K-12 schools to remove non-academic barriers to learning via case management, basic needs, and referrals - the closest analog to Little Bit's Whole Child Model of integrated school-based wraparound support.
- Kids In Need Foundation: National nonprofit providing school supplies, clothing, and essential items to under-resourced K-12 students through school partnerships and educator networks; directly comparable to Little Bit's Bundle Up, Get in Gear, and Head to Toe essentials programs.
- Blessings in a Backpack: National nonprofit mobilizing volunteers to provide weekend food bags to elementary students facing food insecurity; mirrors Little Bit's Sunny's Closet weekend food kit program and its school-embedded distribution model.
Others
- St. Louis Area Foodbank: Regional foodbank that operates 11 in-school food markets and monthly mobile markets in partnership with Little Bit; comparable as a co-delivery partner in child nutrition rather than a competitor.
- Operation Food Search: St. Louis hunger-relief nonprofit that has partnered with Little Bit since 2013 to assemble Sunny's Closet food kits; adjacent as an upstream supplier/distributor rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Little Bit Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Little Bit Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Little Bit Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The Little Bit Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Little Bit Foundation 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 The Little Bit Foundation
What does The Little Bit Foundation do?
The Little Bit Foundation delivers free, in-school wraparound programs that remove barriers to learning for under-resourced K-12 students, providing clothing, shoes, hygiene items, school supplies, food, health screenings, mental health counseling, literacy resources, STEM programming, and college/career readiness services. Programs are delivered through weekly volunteer visits to in-school boutiques and partner-operated food markets across 60+ school communities in the St. Louis region.
Is The Little Bit Foundation a public or private company?
The Little Bit Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Little Bit Foundation founded?
The Little Bit Foundation was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Little Bit Foundation based?
The Little Bit Foundation is headquartered in Maryland Heights, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Little Bit Foundation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Foundation Grants, event Fundraising, government and Public Funding and product Donations.
Who are The Little Bit Foundation's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Catholic Charities of St. Louis, United Way of Greater St. Louis and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Broad incumbents are Feeding America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Direct peers are Communities In Schools, Kids In Need Foundation and Blessings in a Backpack. Others are St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search.
Does The Little Bit Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Little Bit Foundation.
What industry is The Little Bit Foundation in?
The Little Bit Foundation's product category is K-12 Student Wraparound Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAIAG, Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying), with a secondary code of EDACAMAA, Child Nutrition & Meal Programs (CACFP/Snack Programs). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.