A Step Beyond
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To prepare underserved youth for success in college, career, and life through dance education, academic support, and family services.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $163,102, ceo/executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (3)
- $555,264 spent. Dance training is at the core of the program. Research has shown that learning dance imparts an array of life skills: self-awareness, concentration, discipline, respect, goal setting with accountability, and creative problem solving, to name a few. A Step Beyond (ASB) has a total of 233 students in grades 3-12, and will take an additional 45 students each year until it reaches a site capacity of approximately 350 students. Dance training is conducted by highly skilled professional on-staff dance instructors. Each year students perform in a concert attended by parents and supporters. They also perform in numerous other venues.
- $383,760 spent. Academic programs include tutoring for every student, enrichment exercises, intensive literacy support and summer camps, as well as a robust college and career readiness program. Students have access to a library, computers, MakerSpace, and a daily "homework cafe." Students receive World of Work career education experiences in STEAM industries and college preparation services including financial literacy and weekly counseling to support entry into higher education and/or other career programs after high school.
- $283,446 spent. Family Service programs treat children in crisis, assist families in crisis, conduct group therapy for students, and provide parent training. Participants receive daily mentoring from staff and volunteers, and engage regularly in counseling groups that promote essential skills to meet social and emotional needs. Families also receive crisis intervention support as needed.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.