The Guardian Angel Settlement Association

What The Guardian Angel Settlement Association does

The Guardian Angel Settlement Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization founded in 1859 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. It operates two physical locations: a Head Start-certified Child Development Center at 1127 N. Vandeventer Ave. providing early childhood education with developmental screenings and kindergarten readiness programming, and an 18,000 square-foot Social Services Center at 3300 S. Jefferson Ave. (opened October 2019 at a $3M capital cost) housing a client-choice food pantry, self-sufficiency workshop classrooms, a nutritional kitchen, and case-management offices.

The organization's integrated service model targets low-income families and individuals in St. Louis zip codes 63104 and 63118, bundling early childhood education, emergency food assistance, financial-literacy coaching through Operation Hope (where 72% of enrolled clients see a credit increase within six months), emergency utility assistance, and holiday programming under one roof. A wholly-owned social enterprise, the Angel Boutique Resale Shop, generates earned revenue and provides work-experience training, while a separate Path to Possible Capital Campaign funded facility expansion.

Revenue is diversified across individual donations (including the Pathfinder Giving Club monthly program), corporate sponsorships (Ameren Missouri, Nestle Purina PetCare, Tacony Corporation underwriting the Annual Dinner & Auction and Golf Classic), federal Head Start/Early Head Start per-child reimbursements and USDA nutrition programs, Missouri state YOP/NAP tax credits equal to 50% of qualifying donations over $500, sliding-scale childcare tuition, and resale-shop sales. The organization is led by President and CEO Reona Wise and governed by a volunteer board chaired by Lynn Davis; it holds GuideStar Platinum Transparency and BBB Accredited Charity credentials and is a United Way member agency.

Name

The Guardian Angel Settlement Association

Legal name

Guardian Angel Settlement Association

Website

https://www.gasastl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1859

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Guardian Angel Settlement Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1859 in St. Louis, Missouri, providing Head Start-certified early childhood education, a client-choice food pantry, financial-literacy coaching, and social stability services to low-income families and individuals across two physical locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Child Care Services (6244), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Head Start & Publicly Funded Infant/Toddler Programs (EDACAGAH), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Social services nonprofit
• Food assistance programs
• Childcare services
• Self-sufficiency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute to the organization through one-time and recurring gifts. The Pathfinder Giving Club monthly giving program sustains ongoing operations. Donations include cash, DAF/IRA/stock gifts, corporate matching, legacy/planned giving, and in-kind donations of essential supplies and vehicles.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Guardian Angel receives government funding as a Head Start-certified childcare provider and participant in programs such as Early Head Start, supported by Missouri state programs and federal nutrition programs including USDA food assistance.
3. Angel Boutique Resale Shop: The Angel Boutique Resale Shop sells gently used clothing and household goods to the general St. Louis community, creating a social enterprise that funds Guardian Angel programs while providing affordable shopping options and work experience to adults and youth.
4. Missouri State Tax Credits: Guardian Angel was awarded Youth Opportunity Program (YOP) and Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits administered by the state of Missouri. Donors can redirect Missouri state tax dollars to the nonprofit, with credits equal to 50% of qualifying donations over $500, available to individuals or businesses with Missouri tax liability.
5. Special Events: Annual fundraising events include the Dinner and Auction and the Annual Golf Classic (celebrating 25+ years). Corporate sponsors such as Tacony Corporation (presenting sponsor of Golf Classic) and Ameren Missouri and Nestle Purina PetCare Company (presenting sponsors of Dinner and Auction) support these events.
6. Tuition and Program Fees: Childcare services are provided on a sliding scale based on family income, with Head Start-certified programming for early childhood education. Some families pay tuition for childcare services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Guardian Angel Settlement Association delivers Head Start-certified early childhood education through its Child Development Center and a suite of social stability services through its Social Services Center, including a client-choice food pantry, emergency utility assistance, self-sufficiency counseling, and financial literacy workshops. The organization primarily serves low-income children, families, and seniors in the South St. Louis area, operating as a 501(c)(3) United Way member agency.

Product overview

Guardian Angel Settlement Association operates as a unified social services nonprofit offering two primary program areas: Child Development Center (early childhood education with Head Start certification, developmental screenings, and kindergarten readiness) and Social Stability Services (client-choice food pantry, emergency assistance, self-sufficiency workshops, and financial literacy). Supporting programs include vehicle and essential supplies donations, a Pathfinder monthly giving club with Missouri tax credits, and the Angel Boutique Resale Shop as a social enterprise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Angel Boutique Resale Shop: Social enterprise resale shop offering affordable gently used clothing and household goods; serves as a training site providing work experience to adults and youth

Products and services

• Child Development Center Head Start-certified early childhood education program providing childcare services for infants through pre-kindergarten children, including developmental screenings (vision, hearing, dental, social development) and a 100% kindergarten-ready track record. Services are offered on a sliding scale based on family income, serving zip codes 63104 and 63118 in St. Louis.
• Social Stability Services Comprehensive social services including a client-choice food pantry (serving nearly 150 families per month and up to 5,200 visits per year), emergency utility assistance, self-sufficiency counseling, financial literacy workshops delivered in partnership with Operation Hope, holiday meal programs, and computer lab access for job seekers. Services are delivered at no cost to clients.
• Angel Boutique Resale Shop Retail resale shop selling affordable gently used clothing and household goods to the general St. Louis community, operating Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Functions as a social enterprise that funds Guardian Angel programs while providing work experience training opportunities to adults and youth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,929 individuals from families accessed the client-choice food pantry in one year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• YWCA St. LouisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2019YWCA St. Louis is referenced in relation to Head Start and Early Head Start programming partnerships.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuardian Angel is a United Way member agency. As a member agency, Guardian Angel receives referrals through the United Way network and operates as part of the broader United Way ecosystem of social service providers in the St. Louis region.
• Head Start / Early Head StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuardian Angel is a Head Start-certified childcare provider, offering Head Start and Early Head Start programming for early childhood education. Services include hearing, vision, dental, and social development screenings.
• Operation HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Hope is a national nonprofit providing financial literacy coaching. Melissa Carron from Operation Hope visits Guardian Angel every other month to work one-on-one with clients on credit repair, financial planning, and self-sufficiency. 72% of enrolled clients experience a credit increase within six months.
• Operation Food SearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNutritional workshops are held in partnership with Operation Food Search in the state-of-the-art kitchen at the new Social Services Center.
• Ameren MissourimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmeren Missouri has been a longtime partner of Guardian Angel. Ameren Missouri staff participate in seasonal programming events throughout the year and have been a presenting sponsor for the Annual Dinner and Auction and a supporter of the Path to Possible Campaign that funded the new Social Services Center.
• Nestle Purina PetCare CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPurina staff participates in volunteer events throughout the year, including purchasing and assembling bicycles for children in the Childcare Center. Purina has been a presenting sponsor of the Annual Dinner and Auction and supported the Path to Possible Campaign.
• Tacony CorporationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTacony has been the presenting sponsor of Guardian Angel's Annual Golf Tournament since its inception 24 years ago. Additionally, Tacony donates printing services saving the organization thousands of dollars annually and employees volunteer to organize collections for the food pantry and seasonal programs.
• Kicking Cow PromotionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKicking Cow Promotions sponsors both annual events and provides in-kind support throughout the year, from event support to items for holiday programs.
• Kuna FoodserviceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKuna provides semi-annual donations of food to Guardian Angel's client-choice food pantry, which serves nearly 150 families a month.
• HBD ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBD Construction built Guardian Angel's Early Childhood Education Center in 2009 and has continued to support the organization's facilities development.
• Heartland FragranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeartland Fragrance, an all-natural soap company co-owned by Carolyn Grebel, provides handcrafted soaps for senior Christmas program gift baskets. Carolyn personally sponsors seven seniors in the program.
• SafeSightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafeSight partners with Guardian Angel to provide vision screenings for children as part of the Head Start certification process.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Patrick Center: St. Louis-based nonprofit providing integrated services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, including housing, employment, and behavioral health support. Direct comparable to Guardian Angel's wraparound self-sufficiency model in the same geography.
• Catholic Charities of St. Louis: Large St. Louis social services nonprofit offering food assistance, refugee services, early childhood programs, and emergency aid across multiple sites. Operates a similar Head Start-affiliated childcare plus social services model in the same metropolitan area.
• Kingdom House: St. Louis settlement house founded in 1902, providing early childhood education, youth development, and family support services to low-income families. Closely comparable to Guardian Angel's settlement house origins and integrated service portfolio.
• Youth in Need: St. Louis-area nonprofit providing early childhood education, youth services, and family support including Head Start programming. Comparable in terms of ECE focus and federal funding dependency in the same metro.
• Mission: St. Louis: St. Louis nonprofit delivering poverty-relief and self-sufficiency programs including early childhood education, community mentoring, and workforce development. Comparable integrated services model serving overlapping zip codes in St. Louis.
• YWCA St. Louis: St. Louis YWCA chapter providing Head Start and Early Head Start programming, racial justice, and women's economic advancement services. Explicitly cited as a partner in the data and directly comparable on ECE service model.

Regional players

• Parents as Teachers: St. Louis-headquartered national early childhood parent education organization providing home-visiting and family engagement programs. Comparable in early childhood focus and St. Louis roots, though operating nationally and through affiliate network rather than direct service.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Greater St. Louis: Regional funder and convener of social services of which Guardian Angel is a member agency. Comparable because it operates in the same funding ecosystem and supports overlapping client base, though as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• St. Louis Area Foodbank: Regional food distribution nonprofit serving the St. Louis metro. Comparable in food pantry / food insecurity focus and shared partner network (Operation Food Search), though operates at much larger scale as a wholesale distributor.

Others

• National Head Start Association: National membership and advocacy organization for Head Start grantees. Relevant as ecosystem peer given Guardian Angel's Head Start and Early Head Start certification; comparable on program model though not direct service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@guardianangelsettlementass8559
• Facebookfacebook.com/Guardian-Angel-Settlement-Association-286982961879
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guardian-angel-settlement-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/gasa_stl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Guardian Angel Settlement Association