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Step Inc

EIN 41-0874998 · Fairmont, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENABLE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. STEP PROVIDES SUPPORT, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND IN OUR SERVICES SITES.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
236
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$96,698, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $2.8 million spent. IN 2024, STEP, INC. PROVIDED SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO OVER 120 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT OUR 3 SERVICE LOCATIONS AND IN COMMUNITY LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT 3 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA. THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR, STEP HAS CONTINUED TO DEVELOP MORE INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING MOVING INDIVIDUALS INTO COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS. STEP HAS WORKED WITH OVER 35 LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF WORK OPTIONS FOR ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. BESIDES A VARIETY OF SEATED WORK AT OUR OFFICES, COMMUNITY-BASED WORK OPPORTUNITIES HAVE ALSO INCLUDED ASSISTING DIETARY, LAUNDRY AND HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES AT SEVERAL LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES IN THE AREA, BREAKFAST HOST WORK AT A LOCAL HOTEL, GREENS AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE AT LOCAL GOLF COURSES AND MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL CLEANING CREWS. IN ADDITION TO WORK, STEP STAFF PROVIDED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR OTHER ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL TIME IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT OUR LOCATIONS. STEP CONTINUES TO GROW, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT, AND HAS A WAITING LIST OF INDIVIDUALS SEEKING A VARIETY OF SERVICES FROM STEP, INC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 1972.

    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.