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Brave Step Inc

EIN 47-2394416 · Concord, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BRAVE STEP EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE. TO SHAPE A STRONG, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, WE: PROVIDE PERSONALIZED SERVICES THAT HELP ADULTS IMPACTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE RECLAIM THE LIFE THEY DESERVE; FOSTER BRAVE PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE; AND, CULTIVATE COURAGEOUS CHANGEMAKERS.

Income
$334,370
Spending
$303,038
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
35

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (3)
  1. $96,947 spent. ADULT SURVIVOR CARE: BRAVE STEP SERVES AS A STEADFAST GUIDE FOR ADULT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEY TO WELLBEING, EMPOWERMENT, AND CLAIMING THE LIFE THEY DESERVE. TO HELP SURVIVORS CLAIM THE LIFE THEY DESERVE, BRAVE STEP USES A MULTI-FACETED HEALING MODEL THAT INCLUDES INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, GROUP THERAPY, PEER-LED SUPPORT GROUPS, EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS, AND WAYS TO FIND ONE'S VOICE.
  2. $14,244 spent. CHANGEMAKER PROGRAM: BRAVE STEP'S CHANGEMAKER PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS THE TRAINING AND THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND HELP PREVENT FUTURE SEXUAL VIOLENCE. AS CHANGEMAKERS, SURVIVORS, LOVED ONES, EDUCATORS, EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS CAN ACCESS CAREFULLY VETTED AND TRUSTED RESOURCES, RECEIVE GOAL SETTING SUPPORT, PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING SESSIONS, AND GAIN THE EDUCATION THEY NEED TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD ACTION.
  3. $136,891 spent. LOVED ONES PROGRAM: BRAVE STEP BELIEVES THAT LOVED ONES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVIVORS CAN PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN HELPING SURVIVORS CLAIM THE LIFE THEY DESERVE IF EFFECTIVELY ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND SUPPORT FROM OTHERS IN SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION TO COUNSELING, BRAVE STEP HAS A UNIQUE PSYCHOEDUCATION PROGRAM FOR LOVED ONES. THE PROGRAM CREATES A TRAUMA- INFORMED ENVIRONMENT AND PROCESS TO SAFELY EXPRESS ONE'S EMOTIONS; BUILDS A BASELINE OF KNOWLEDGE ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE; AND PROVIDES TANGIBLE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE SURVIVOR SHORT AND LONG-TERM.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.