Next Step Ministries Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 44% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
NEXT STEP MINISTRIES PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THEIR FAITH, EXPERIENCE GOD, AND EXTEND SERVICE TO OTHERS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 44%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 88
- Volunteers
- 105
- Highest pay
- $92,980, missions director/treasurer
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
Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 97% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1544% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $890,638 spent. NEXT STEP MINISTRIES IS A CHRIST-CENTERED, 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT WITH A HEART TO DO YOUTH MISSIONS DIFFERENTLY. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE STUDENTS CAN HAVE ON A MISSION TRIP - SERVING OTHERS WHILE ENCOUNTERING A LIVING GOD WHO OFFERS FREEDOM AND GRACE.WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE THRIVING, DEVELOPING FROM WITHIN, AND RESTORING DIGNITY. TO THIS END, WE LEAD THOUSANDS OF YOUTH ON ONE-WEEK MISSION TRIPS THAT CONNECT THEM WITH SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES WE SUPPORT ON A YEAR-ROUND BASIS.THROUGH YEARS OF INTENTIONAL LISTENING AND LEARNING WE HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF SHORT-TERM TRIPS CAN CONNECT TO REAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. IT'S A TALL TASK, AND ONE WE ARE CONTINUALLY LEARNING AND GROWING IN, BUT IT'S ALSO ONE THAT WHEN DONE RIGHT, CAN PROVIDE AN INCREDIBLE GOD-SIZED EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE.FILMS - NEXT STEP MINISTRIES PROVIDES ORIGINAL VIDEO SERIES AND STUDY GUIDES. EVERY YEAR AN ORIGINAL FILM SERIES IS PRODUCED THAT COINCIDES WITH THE EVENING MESSAGES. THE FILM SERIES IS MEANT TO REACH OTHERS IN YET ANOTHER WAY WITH POWERFUL STORIES OF CHRIST IN ACTION. WHILE EVERYFILM SERIES IS DIFFERENT, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT STUDENTS RELATE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE FILM SERIES AND BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.