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Footsteps Inc

EIN 20-0666923 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOOTSTEPS, INC. SUPPORTS AND AFFIRMS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE LEFT, OR ARE CONTEMPLATING LEAVING, INSULAR ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN THEIR QUEST TO LEAD SELF-DETERMINED LIVES.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
31
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$200,882, ceo

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 95% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT SUPPORTS MEMBERS' ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EDUCATION, CAREER AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH TRUSTED ORGANIZATIONS. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, CRISIS SUPPORTS, TUTORING AND MENTORING ARE ALSO OFFERED.
  2. $726,456 spent. IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTS MEMBERS THROUGH PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, ACCULTURATION WORKSHOPS, AND REFERRALS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
  3. $632,069 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BUILDS THE STRENGTH OF OUR NETWORK TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS HAVE FRIENDS AND ALLIES ALONG THEIR JOURNEY. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: SOCIAL EVENTS, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND AWARENESS RAISING.
  4. $1.1 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORTS ARE GEARED TOWARDS PARENTS FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY LEAVE ULTRA-ORTHODOXY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT DROP-IN GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAWYERS AND LEGAL GROUPS TO PROVIDE LEGAL CONSULTATION AND REPRESENTATION. OUR FIELD AND MOVEMENT BUILDING PROGRAM SEEKS TO EDUCATE AND MOBILIZE THE PUBLIC AROUND REFORM EFFORTS AND ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THOSE LEAVING ULTRA-ORTHODOXY.

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 April 2004.

    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.