Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children
MISSION FREE SCHOOL OF ST LOUIS DBA is a public charity based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Formed in 1973, it states that its primary purpose is to assist programs that benefit underprivileged children.
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children at a glance
In short: Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children gave $291K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $22K). 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $290,800
- +2.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,369
- +2.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $4,371,742
- +16.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children
- Contact
Mailing address: 5007 Waterman, Saint Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 361-0595
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southside Early Childhood Center ($46K). Together the top 10 received $247K.
Grant Size Distribution
65 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 65 (100%).
Is Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 13 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $240K (2020) to $291K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $291K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southside Early Childhood Center | General Support | $46,200 |
| Nurses for Newborns | General Support | $24,100 |
| St Louis Crisis Nursery | General Support | $23,600 |
| Girls Inc | General Support | $23,300 |
| Kids in the Middle | General Support | $23,300 |
| Family Forward | General Support | $23,100 |
| St Louis Arc | General Support | $22,500 |
| Springboard to Learning | General Support | $20,900 |
| Epworth Children and Family Services | General Support | $20,300 |
| Childrens Advocacy Center | General Support | $19,300 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,371,742 | $916,976 | $292,234 | $290,800 | 13 | $916,976 |
| 2024 | $3,747,000 | $601,995 | $284,328 | $283,300 | 13 | $601,995 |
| 2023 | $3,429,333 | $113,605 | $277,066 | $275,850 | 14 | $113,605 |
| 2022 | $3,592,794 | $293,949 | $266,549 | $265,450 | 13 | $293,949 |
| 2021 | $3,565,394 | $207,248 | $250,030 | $249,500 | 12 | $207,248 |
| 2020 | $3,608,176 | $492,619 | $240,116 | $239,500 | 12 | $492,619 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to assist programs that benefit underprivileged children.” Its 2025 filing lists grants for general support to organizations including Southside Early Childhood Center, Nurses for Newborns, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Girls Inc., and Kids in the Middle.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization gave 13 grants totaling $290,800. Grant amounts ranged from $14,000 to $46,200, with a median of $22,500. The largest listed grants were $46,200 to Southside Early Childhood Center; $24,100 to Nurses for Newborns; $23,600 to St. Louis Crisis Nursery; $23,300 each to Girls Inc. and Kids in the Middle; and $23,100 to Family Forward. Other listed recipients included St. Louis ARC ($22,500), Springboard to Learning ($20,900), Epworth Children and Family Services ($20,300), Children’s Advocacy Center ($19,300), Ashrei Foundation ($16,200), and CHADS Coalition for Mental Health ($14,000). Each listed grant was for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sue Ashwell as president, Jane Hoekelman as vice president, Charles Eby as treasurer, and Jama Dodson as secretary. Board members listed are Claire Birge, Erin Milligan, Melanie Fathman, Steve Smidowicz, and Kathy Wilke.
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children is led by Sue Ashwell, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sue Ashwell
President
Vice President → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Eby
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Birge
Board Member
Board Member → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Hoekelman
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melanie Fathman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Milligan
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Smidowicz
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jama Dodson
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Wilke
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jeff Carey (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Scot Boulton (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children
How much does Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children give each year?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children gave $291K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $283K across 13 grants.
What is Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's typical grant size?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $22,369, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children that year got $16K on average.
Does Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's largest grantees?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's largest 2025 grantees include Southside Early Childhood Center ($46,200), Nurses for Newborns ($24,100) and St Louis Crisis Nursery ($23,600), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $917K.
What does Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to assist programs that benefit underprivileged children.” Its 2025 filing lists grants for general support to organizations including Southside Early Childhood Center, Nurses for Newborns, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Girls Inc., and Kids in the Middle. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's EIN?
Mission Free School of St Louis DBA St Louis Unitarian Fdn for Children's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6049726. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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