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Second Step Inc

EIN 22-2868513 · Newtonville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HELPING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HEAL AND THRIVE IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
18 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
29
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$150,162, executive director

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

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $309,450 spent. TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM: FROM JULY 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2025, TSS OPERATED A 9-BEDROOM RESIDENCE FOR FAMILIES LEAVING EMERGENCY, SHORT-TERM SHELTER. FAMILIES HAD ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT THAT ALLOWED THEM TO BUILD SKILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR GOAL TOWARDS INDEPENDENT LIVING. FAMILIES ALSO HAD ACCESS TO LEGAL ADVOCACY, PERSONAL STABILIZATION SERVICES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND HOUSING SEARCH AND ADVOCACY. IN FEBRUARY 2025, THE SECOND STEP ENTERED INTO A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH A RENOWNED HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDER IN ORDER TO TRANSFER OPERATIONS OF THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING RESIDENCE. WHILE THE SECOND STEP RETAINS OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, THIS PROVIDER WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM TO SERVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHILE THE SECOND STEP PROVIDED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS.
  2. $38,465 spent. INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM: TSS PROVIDES EXTENSIVE SERVICES TO SURVIVORS IN THE COMMUNITY, MOST NOTABLY SAFETY PLANNING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT, SURVIVORS RECEIVE SERVICES SUCH AS PSYCHOEDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT; FINANCIAL LITERACY; ACCESS TO RESOURCES SUCH AS MENTAL/PHYSICAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND COPING STRATEGIES.
  3. $560,799 spent. LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM: FREE TRAUMA INFORMED LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS. OUR TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDES FULL REPRESENTATION, LIMITED ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATION, ADVICE AND CONSULTATION ON MATTERS INCLUDING ABUSE PREVENTION ORDERS, FAMILY LAW, IMMIGRATION, AND HOUSING. OUR TEAM HAS EXPANDED IN THE LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO MORE SURVIVORS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT VITAL AND LIFE-SAVING LEGAL SUPPORT.
  4. $397,484 spent. PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAM AIMS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILD A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF SAFETY, EQUITY, AND RESPECT. WE COLLABORATE NOT ONLY WITH PROFESSIONALS ACROSS SECTORS LIKE EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, FINANCIAL SERVICES, WELLNESS, AND HUMAN SERVICES BUT ALSO WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS DIRECTLY. WE DEVELOP AND DELIVER TAILORED TRAININGS THAT REFLECT THE LIVED EXPERIENCES, NEEDS, AND PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SUPPORT AND WORK ALONGSIDE. ADDITIONALLY, WE BRING RESOURCES, INFORMATION, AND ENGAGEMENT TO NON-TRADITIONAL SPACES, SUCH AS CONVENTIONS AND LOCAL/REGIONAL FESTIVALS, FAIRS, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT INFORMATION IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL SURVIVORS.

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 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 June 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 February 1988.

    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.