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Next Step Domestic Violence Project

EIN 01-0482508 · Ellsworth, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEXT STEP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT SUPPORTS AND EMPOWERS PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHILE STRIVING TO PREVENT AND END THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
20
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$109,155, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. HELPLINE: THE NEXT STEP OPERATES A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL 24-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE THAT PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SAFETY PLANNING, INFORMATION, REFERRALS, AND CONNECTIONS TO SHELTER, LEGAL ADVOCACY, AND OTHER SERVICES. THE HELPLINE SERVES VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, AS WELL AS CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ENSURING TRAINED ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES TO RESPOND WITH COMPASSIONATE, TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT. LEGAL SERVICES: THE NEXT STEPS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAUMA- INFORMED CIVIL LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HANCOCK AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. SERVICES INCLUDE LEGAL CONSULTATION, COURT ADVOCACY, PROTECTION ORDER REPRESENTATION, FAMILY LAW ASSISTANCE, SAFETY PLANNING, AND REFERRALS, HELPING SURVIVORS NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM, INCREASE THEIR SAFETY, AND ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. SHELTER: THE NEXT STEP PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OFFERING A SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL PLACE TO STAY WHILE SURVIVORS STABILIZE AND PLAN FOR LONG-TERM SAFETY. SHELTER RESIDENTS RECEIVE ADVOCACY, SAFETY PLANNING, HOUSING AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND CONNECTIONS TO LEGAL, MEDICAL, COUNSELING, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES IN AN ACCESSIBLE, TRAUMA- INFORMED ENVIRONMENT THAT WELCOMES SURVIVORS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. HELPLINE: THE NEXT STEP OPERATES A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL 24-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE THAT PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SAFETY PLANNING, INFORMATION, REFERRALS, AND CONNECTIONS TO SHELTER, LEGAL ADVOCACY, AND OTHER SERVICES. THE HELPLINE SERVES VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, AS WELL AS CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ENSURING TRAINED ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES TO RESPOND WITH COMPASSIONATE, TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT. LEGAL SERVICES: THE NEXT STEPS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAUMA- INFORMED CIVIL LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HANCOCK AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. SERVICES INCLUDE LEGAL CONSULTATION, COURT ADVOCACY, PROTECTION ORDER REPRESENTATION, FAMILY LAW ASSISTANCE, SAFETY PLANNING, AND REFERRALS, HELPING SURVIVORS NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM, INCREASE THEIR SAFETY, AND ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. SHELTER: THE NEXT STEP PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OFFERING A SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL PLACE TO STAY WHILE SURVIVORS STABILIZE AND PLAN FOR LONG-TERM SAFETY. SHELTER RESIDENTS RECEIVE ADVOCACY, SAFETY PLANNING, HOUSING AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND CONNECTIONS TO LEGAL, MEDICAL, COUNSELING, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES IN AN ACCESSIBLE, TRAUMA- INFORMED ENVIRONMENT THAT WELCOMES SURVIVORS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.