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Steps to End Domestic Violence Inc

EIN 03-0283657 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASSIST IN TRANSITION TO A SAFE, INDEPENDENT LIFE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED PHYSICALLY, SEXUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, OR ECONOMICALLY BY DOMESTIC ABUSE AND TO PROMOTE A CULTURE THAT FOSTERS JUSTICE, EQUITY AND SAFETY.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
34
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$118,967, executive di

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $2.5 million spent. THE EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM (EHP) MEETS THE IMMEDIATE NEED FOR SAFE HOUSING AS WELL AS ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE STAFF PROVIDES SAFETY PLANNING AND ADVOCACY FOR SAFE HOUSING IF THE AGENCY'S EMERGENCY SHELTER IS NOT AVAILABLE OR APPROPRIATE. THE STAFF REFERS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AS NEEDED. ADVOCATES PROVIDE REFERRALS FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, PARENTING SUPPORT, FOLLOW-UP SERVICES, AND ONGOING SUPPORT INCLUDING EDUCATION ON THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. STAFF ALSO ASSIST IN THE SEARCH FOR SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING USING INDIVIDUALIZED HOUSING SEARCH PLANS.
  2. $231,758 spent. THE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM (EPP) PROVIDES INFORMATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE AND STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED TO A WIDE AUDIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, THROUGH PUBLIC EVENTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR AREA HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKS TO DEVELOP ONGOING INTERNAL RESOURCES ON TOPICS INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, CURRENT TRENDS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND ONGOING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $234,853 spent. THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM (CYP) OFFERS CRISIS INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY FOR THE RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN THE SHELTER AND IN THE COMMUNITY. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE CHILDCARE, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATIONAL/THERAPEUTIC PLAYGROUPS FOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN. GROUPS ARE OPEN TO CHILDREN REFERRED THROUGH THE STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. HOTLINE, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.
  4. $500,551 spent. THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM (EJP) IS A PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TO THE REALITY THAT THE PATH TO SAFETY AND VIOLENCE-FREE LIVES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST INCLUDE ACCESS TO ECONOMIC RESOURCES. LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, SAFE HOUSING, STABLE INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH INSURANCE, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS NARROWS THE OPTIONS FOR MANY PEOPLE. THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND SYSTEMS TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ACCESS TO CRUCIAL ECONOMIC RESOURCES. STAFF HELP SERVICE USERS REGAIN CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL FINANCE, BUILD EMPLOYMENT READINESS, AND SECURE TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING. WITHIN THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM IS THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM (THP). STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN A SCATTERED SITE MODEL IN WHICH RENTAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE LIVING IN HOUSING UNITS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. ADVOCATES WORK WITH PARTICIPANTS AS THEY STABILIZE HOUSING, WHILE ALSO CONNECTING THEM TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING, JOB TRAINING AND OTHER RESOURCES. THE HOTLINE FUNCTIONS 24/7 AS THE FIRST RESPONSE TO THOSE IN NEED. HOTLINE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY PLANNING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, EMERGENCY HOUSING SCREENING, AND REFERRALS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND EXTERNAL PROGRAMS. THE HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, EITHER IN THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIP OR WITH RESPECT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. HOTLINE ACCESS VIA RELAY SERVICE AND TELEPHONIC INTERPRETERS HELP MAKE THE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS NOT THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE. THE LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM (LAP) PROVIDES SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE AS THEY NAVIGATE LEGAL SYSTEMS SUCH AS FAMILY AND DISTRICT COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. LEGAL ADVOCATES PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH INFORMATION, REFERRALS AND SUPPORT, COURT FORMS, AND PREPARATION FOR COURT HEARINGS AND ACCOMPANIMENT TO HEARINGS IN BOTH THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEMS. LEGAL ADVOCATES ALSO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING PROTECTION ORDERS. STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. OFFERS A FREE LEGAL CLINIC TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC ABUSE. THE LEGAL CLINIC IS COMPRISED OF STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. STAFF MEMBERS, VOLUNTEER PARALEGALS AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS.
  5. THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM (EJP) IS A PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TO THE REALITY THAT THE PATH TO SAFETY AND VIOLENCE-FREE LIVES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST INCLUDE ACCESS TO ECONOMIC RESOURCES. LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, SAFE HOUSING, STABLE INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH INSURANCE, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS NARROWS THE OPTIONS FOR MANY PEOPLE. THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND SYSTEMS TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ACCESS TO CRUCIAL ECONOMIC RESOURCES. STAFF HELP SERVICE USERS REGAIN CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL FINANCE, BUILD EMPLOYMENT READINESS, AND SECURE TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING. WITHIN THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM IS THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM (THP). STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN A SCATTERED SITE MODEL IN WHICH RENTAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE LIVING IN HOUSING UNITS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. ADVOCATES WORK WITH PARTICIPANTS AS THEY STABILIZE HOUSING, WHILE ALSO CONNECTING THEM TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING, JOB TRAINING AND OTHER RESOURCES. THE HOTLINE FUNCTIONS 24/7 AS THE FIRST RESPONSE TO THOSE IN NEED. HOTLINE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY PLANNING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, EMERGENCY HOUSING SCREENING, AND REFERRALS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND EXTERNAL PROGRAMS. THE HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, EITHER IN THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIP OR WITH RESPECT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. HOTLINE ACCESS VIA RELAY SERVICE AND TELEPHONIC INTERPRETERS HELP MAKE THE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS NOT THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE. THE LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM (LAP) PROVIDES SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE AS THEY NAVIGATE LEGAL SYSTEMS SUCH AS FAMILY AND DISTRICT COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. LEGAL ADVOCATES PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH INFORMATION, REFERRALS AND SUPPORT, COURT FORMS, AND PREPARATION FOR COURT HEARINGS AND ACCOMPANIMENT TO HEARINGS IN BOTH THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEMS. LEGAL ADVOCATES ALSO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING PROTECTION ORDERS. STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. OFFERS A FREE LEGAL CLINIC TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC ABUSE. THE LEGAL CLINIC IS COMPRISED OF STEPS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INC. STAFF MEMBERS, VOLUNTEER PARALEGALS AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.