Guiding Star Cedar Valley

What Guiding Star Cedar Valley does

Guiding Star Cedar Valley is a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's healthcare center operating a single location at 220 Southbrooke Drive in Waterloo, Iowa, serving the Cedar Valley region. The organization is a local affiliate of the national Guiding Star Project, founded in 2007 by Leah A. Jacobson, and operates under a life-affirming, faith-based framework that positions natural female biology and reproductive health as central to women's healthcare. It is staffed by approximately 10-15 personnel including an Executive Director, Client Services Coordinator, certified Fertility Care Practitioners, a Breastfeeding Professional, and supporting service partners.

The service portfolio is organized around four core pillars: Natural Fertility and Family Planning (using Creighton Model and FEMM fertility awareness methods, often paired with NaProTechnology), Pregnancy Care and Birth Services, Breastfeeding and Postpartum Care, and Motherhood and Family Life Services. Supplementary offerings include Abortion Pill Reversal, Adolescent Body Education (school-based), and Miscarriage and Infant Loss Support. The underlying technical approach relies on standardized fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) rather than digital or AI-driven tools, with NaProTechnology providing medical integration for diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions. The organization functions as a hub for a co-located ecosystem of independent service partners including Fiat Family Medicine, Zenith Birth Services, Katie Schmitz Counseling, and Cedar Valley Mobile Chiropractic.

The revenue model is primarily donation-based, consistent with its 501(c)(3) status, supplemented by nominal fees for select educational programs (e.g., $60 per couple for Creighton Model introductory sessions) and free-will donations for support groups. Customer acquisition is community-led through church partnerships, medical provider referrals, school outreach, word-of-mouth, social media, and an annual charity gala. The organization offers the majority of services free or at suggested donation levels, making it fundamentally a community impact entity rather than a fee-for-service healthcare provider.

Name

Guiding Star Cedar Valley

Legal name

Guiding Star Cedar Valley

Website

https://guidingstarcedarvalley.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Guiding Star Cedar Valley is a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's healthcare center in Waterloo, Iowa, providing life-affirming fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and family support services through fertility awareness-based methods and a co-located service partner ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Health and Family Services

NAICS

Family Planning Centers (62141)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Feeding Support & Newborn Nutrition Care (NCS) (HSAAACAC), Newborn/Infant Mother’s Helper Support (HSAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Women's healthcare services
• Natural fertility planning
• Pregnancy and postpartum care
• Fertility awareness methods
• Nonprofit healthcare center

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, primary funding comes from donations. The website prominently features donation buttons and the organization holds an annual charity gala for fundraising.
2. Educational Program Fees: Some educational programs charge fees, such as the Creighton Model Introductory Session at $60 per couple. Many services are provided free or at suggested donation levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Guiding Star Cedar Valley is a non-profit women's health center that delivers life-affirming healthcare services spanning natural fertility education (Creighton Model and FEMM), pregnancy care, breastfeeding and postpartum support, and family life services. The center integrates Fertility Awareness-Based Methods with NaPro Technology for natural reproductive health monitoring and treatment, complemented by specialized services such as adolescent body education, miscarriage and infant loss support, and abortion pill reversal.

Product overview

Guiding Star Cedar Valley is a nonprofit women's health center offering a holistic, life-affirming healthcare alternative organized around four core service pillars: Natural Fertility and Family Planning (including FEMM and Creighton Model), Pregnancy Care and Birth Services, Breastfeeding and Postpartum Care, and Motherhood and Family Life Services. The organization supplements these core services with specialized offerings including abortion pill reversal, adolescent body education programs, and miscarriage and infant loss support. Community education classes and support groups form an integral part of the service portfolio, providing ongoing programming for fertility education, breastfeeding support, birth preparation, and family wellness. The center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and collaborates with service partners including Fiat Family Medicine, Zenith Birth, counseling services, and mobile chiropractic care to provide integrated whole-person healthcare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Fertility and Family Planning Services Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) education and charting services including FEMM and Creighton Model, providing natural family planning alternatives to hormonal contraception for women and couples.
• FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) A fertility awareness method utilizing women's natural biomarkers to indicate fertility days throughout their cycle, enabling women to chart for avoiding or achieving pregnancy while monitoring overall health.
• Creighton Model FertilityCare System A standardized approach for women to track and monitor menstrual cycles by observing and charting cervical mucus patterns, often used in conjunction with NaPro Technology for medical care.
• Pregnancy Care and Birth Services Comprehensive pregnancy support including free care consults at 12, 24, and 38 weeks, birth planning education, referrals to birth and postpartum doulas, and connections to natural prenatal care providers.
• Breastfeeding and Postpartum Care One-on-one free consultations with breastfeeding professionals, a Breastfeeding Support Group meeting bi-weekly, postpartum doula support, and counseling for postpartum depression and birth trauma processing.
• Motherhood and Family Life Services Drop-in child watch, material assistance including maternity clothing and baby supplies, and family educational opportunities covering car seat safety, cloth diapering, baby wearing, and parenting classes.
• Abortion Pill Reversal Support service for women who have taken mifepristone and are reconsidering their decision, with highest success rates when requested within 24 hours of taking the first abortion pill.
• Adolescent Body Education Introduction to Womanhood and Introduction to Manhood classes in mother/daughter or father/son formats, helping youth understand biological changes during puberty.
• Miscarriage and Infant Loss Support Comprehensive support including one-on-one mentorship, monthly support groups facilitated by a mental health professional, mental health counseling, and the annual 'No Matter How Small' memorial service for miscarried infants.
• Community Classes and Support Groups Various classes including Breastfeeding Basics, Birth Your Way, Pelvic Floor Health, Music Together, Creighton Model Introductory Sessions, Baby's Here Now What, Baby Wearing, and Stress Less Cycle Well.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.5% effective in achieving pregnancy in first 6 months with normal fertility using Creighton Model
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Fiat Family Medicine / Dr. Robert PrangercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiat Family Medicine, led by Dr. Robert Pranger, provides family medicine, fertility care using NaProTechnology and Creighton Model, and obstetric care including pregnancy care from conception through delivery and postpartum. Dr. Pranger works closely with Guiding Star providing medical services co-located at the center.
• Zenith Birth Services / Sarah OldrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarah Oldre provides birth and labor doula support including physical, emotional, and educational support during labor. Also provides placenta encapsulation services. Partner for the 'Birth Your Way' educational classes.
• Katie Schmitz Counseling / Katie Schmitz, LISWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed Independent Social Worker providing therapy for adults and adolescents aged 12+ using body-centered therapy, EMDR, CBT, Somatic Experiencing, and other modalities. Specializes in trauma, anxiety, grief, and postpartum issues. Private practice located at Guiding Star Cedar Valley. Offers miscarriage and infant loss support community group.
• Cedar Valley Mobile Chiropractic / Dr. Maria StaudtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Maria Staudt provides mobile chiropractic care focusing on pregnant mothers and infants including Webster technique. Serves as Vice Chair of Guiding Star Cedar Valley Board of Directors. Partner since 2020.
• Julie GrunkleesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered Nurse, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach offering individual health coaching and menopause education classes. Service Partner providing health education and coaching services.
• Dr. Sheryl Hansel, MDsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily physician specializing in Family Medicine, Women's Health, and Primary Care. Certified in NaPro Technology. Located at MercyOne Bluebell Family Medicine in Cedar Falls, IA.
• Dr. Monica Minjeur, DO / Radiant ClinicsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoard-certified family medicine physician specializing in testing and treatment for infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, recurrent miscarriage, painful periods, PMS and other gynecological conditions. Uses menstrual cycle analysis.
• Alternatives Pregnancy Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free pregnancy tests, STD/STI tests, ultrasounds, and material items. Partners through Labor of Love Doula Program to provide birth doula to unsupported or low-income mothers. Referrals for material resources including baby items and personal care items.
• Hagarty Waychoff Grarup Funeral ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuneral services partner for miscarriage and infant loss support. Co-hosts the annual 'No Matter How Small' Memorial Event/Burial Service to lay to rest miscarried babies.
• Kristi Allison, CNMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified Nurse Midwife in the Cedar Valley area certified in FEMM Model of natural fertility care. Serves on the Board of Directors. Supports mothers through pregnancy journeys and deliveries.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Guiding Star Project: National umbrella organization founded by Leah A. Jacobson in 2007 that defines the model and mission replicated by Guiding Star Cedar Valley. Direct peer as the parent brand and network of sister centers operating the same life-affirming women's healthcare model.
• Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center: Already a formal partner of Guiding Star Cedar Valley; provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, and material items through the Labor of Love Doula Program. Operates the same life-affirming pregnancy support mission with overlapping client base.
• Guiding Star Siouxland: Sister affiliate center under The Guiding Star Project operating in the Siouxland area with the same four core service pillars and life-affirming mission. Directly comparable in services, scale, and target audience.
• FEMM Health: Direct peer providing the FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) protocol used by Guiding Star Cedar Valley. Operates a comparable model of fertility awareness-based reproductive health education and medical management.

Emerging players

• Natural Cycles: FDA-cleared digital app for natural contraception and pregnancy planning. Offers an alternative route into fertility awareness for a tech-native audience, partial overlap on natural family planning mission but without the in-person, holistic-care layer.

Others

• Marquette University College of Nursing (NFP Program): Hosts the Marquette Method, another evidence-based fertility awareness approach used by Catholic-affiliated providers. Comparable as part of the same fertility awareness ecosystem and indirect training pipeline for FABM practitioners.
• Vitae Foundation: Non-profit working to build a culture of life through education, advertising, and pregnancy center support. Comparable on life-affirming mission and donor-base overlap, though operating in a different functional role (awareness/fundraising vs. direct care).
• Couple to Couple League: Non-profit offering natural family planning education, particularly the symptothermal method, within a faith-aligned framework. Adjacent mission and overlapping client demographic, but education-focused rather than full-service women's health.

Broad incumbents

• Care Net: Large national network of pregnancy resource centers providing similar pregnancy and parenting support services in a faith-aligned, life-affirming framework. Broadly comparable on mission and service mix; larger scale and more standardized operating model.
• Birthright International: Established non-profit providing free pregnancy support, resources, and referrals in a life-affirming framework since 1968. Comparable in mission and target population, with a broader geographic footprint and simpler service model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fguidingstarcedarvalley.org%2F
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guiding-star-cedar-valley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Guiding Star Cedar Valley