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EIN 34-0965350 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEP FORWARD'S MISSION IS TO PROPEL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

Income
$44.2 million
Spending
$43.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
437
Volunteers
1,192
Highest pay
$253,743, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 January 31, 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. $25.4 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION - STEP FORWARD'S HEAD START PROGRAM SERVED 1,741 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY. IN PARTNERSHIP, STEP FORWARD AND ITS PARTNERS DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS IN SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS. IN ADDITION TO AN ENGAGING PRE-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, STEP FORWARD HEAD START PROVIDES HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND FAMILY LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES TO INCORPORATE THE ENTIRE FAMILY INTO THE SPIRIT OF GROWTH AND RESPONSIBILITY.STEP FORWARD'S EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM INCORPORATES THE BELIEF THAT EDUCATION STARTS WHEN LIFE BEGINS. STEP FORWARD IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE YOUNGEST OF CHILDREN AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN BORN YET. STEP FORWARD SERVED 129 INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN, THROUGH THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PRENATAL EXAMINATIONS, PARENTING CLASSES, AND QUALITY INFANT CARE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.
  2. $7.4 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HOUSING ASSISTANCESTEP FORWARD HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. IN 2024, THE AGENCY DISTRIBUTED $4 MILLION IN REMAINING COVID RELIEF FUNDS, BRINGING TOTAL HOME RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN $36 MILLION SINCE THE PANDEMIC. STEP FORWARD ALSO PROVIDED 400 FREE TAX RETURNS, SUPPORTED 83 MOTHERS THROUGH PARENTING AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND HELPED MORE THAN 250 CLIENTS BUILD JOB SKILLS AND CAREER READINESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH EVENTS.
  3. $5.8 million spent. ENERGY ASSISTANCE -STEP FORWARD HELPS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAYMENT PLAN PROGRAMS. IN 2024, THE AGENCY RECEIVED 34,580 APPLICATIONS AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO 34,134 INDIVIDUALS, WITH 98.7 PERCENT RECEIVING ASSISTANCE. STEP FORWARD DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $6.6 MILLION IN TOTAL AID, INCLUDING ENERGY, CRISIS, AND WATER ASSISTANCE, ENSURING HOUSEHOLDS REMAINED SAFE AND CONNECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  4. $581,351 spent. FOOD PROGRAMS
  5. $22,472 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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 November 6, 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 January 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 September 1966.

    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 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.