Next Step Programs Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE NEXT STEP PROGRAMS (TNS) IS DEDICATED TO CREATING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUNG ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) ARE EMPOWERED TO LEAD MEANINGFUL, CONNECTED LIVES. TNS PROVIDES PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, AND LIFELONG LEARNING.
- Income
- $771,001
- Spending
- $770,451
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 65%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $91,957, 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
Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 233% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 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
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
12 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 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)
- $668,038 spent. THE NEXT STEP PROGRAMS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CREATING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUNG ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) ARE EMPOWERED TO LEAD MEANINGFUL, CONNECTED LIVES. FOUNDED IN 2015, OUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, AND LIFELONG LEARNING.IN THE PAST YEAR, THE NEXT STEP PROGRAMS HAS CONTINUED TO GROW IN IMPACT AND REACH:CORE SERVICES: WE OFFER A FULL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SUPPORT PROGRAM A COMMUNITY-BASED DAY PROGRAM FUNDED THROUGH THE WAIVER SYSTEM; SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES THAT GUIDE INDIVIDUALS THROUGH JOB READINESS, PLACEMENT, AND COACHING; AND A ROBUST CALENDAR OF OVER 80 SOCIAL PROGRAMS ANNUALLY, SERVING HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.EXPLORE+ TRAVEL PROGRAM LAUNCH: WE SUCCESSFULLY PILOTED THE EXPLORE+ PROGRAM, OFFERING SUPERVISED TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO FOSTER INDEPENDENCE AND PEER CONNECTION. OUR FIRST TRIP BROUGHT PARTICIPANTS TO WILDWOOD CREST, NJ, WITH PLANS FOR ADDITIONAL DESTINATIONS IN 2025.INCLUSIVE HIRING: WE'VE MAINTAINED A WORKFORCE IN WHICH OVER 20% OF EMPLOYEES IDENTIFY AS HAVING A DISABILITY, REINFORCING OUR COMMITMENT TO MODELING INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.NEW EMPLOYMENT CENTER: THROUGH DONOR SUPPORT, WE BEGAN CONSTRUCTION ON A COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR EMPLOYMENT CENTER - AN INNOVATIVE IN-HOUSE WORKSPACE WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD ARE TRAINED AND EMPLOYED IN MEANINGFUL ROLES.COMMUNITY IMPACT EVENTS: WE HOSTED OVER 25 EVENTS, INCLUDING WORKSHOPS, FAMILY SOCIALS, AND OUR ANNUAL GALA, DEEPENING OUR CONNECTION WITH FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.NATIONAL RECOGNITION: OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOSH FIELDS, WAS NAMED TO THE FORBES 30 UNDER 30 LIST IN SOCIAL IMPACT FOR 2024 AND WAS ALSO HONORED WITH THE BUCKS COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL SERVICE AWARD FOR HIS WORK ON BEHALF OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
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
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 December 2024.
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 January 2016.
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.