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Stepstone Inc

EIN 48-1177617 · Wichita, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN 1995, THE ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH COLLABORATED TO ESTABLISH NEW HOPE, NOW CALLED STEPSTONE, IN RESPONSE TO A DANGEROUS GAP IN SERVICES FOR WICHITA'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS LEAVING SHORT-TERM SHELTERS. WITHOUT HOUSING OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN FACED THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS AND RETURNING TO AN ABUSIVE PARTNER. STEPSTONE CREATED A SOLUTION: TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PAIRED WITH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. IN 2016, STEPSTONE EXPANDED FROM SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT WICHITA BY BUILDING BLUFFVIEW PLACE, A 28-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX. THIS MASSIVE UNDERTAKING SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED HOUSING CAPACITY AND ALLOWED SURVIVORS TO RECEIVE ON-SITE SUPPORT IN A SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT. TODAY, STEPSTONE OFFERS 34 HOUSING UNITS. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE ADVOCACY, SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, DIRECT ASSISTANCE, AND SURVIVOR-FOCUSED EVENTS DESIGNED TO FOSTER COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
0
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$94,519, executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $866,081 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OIN FISCAL YEAR 2025, STEPSTONE PROVIDED 34,581 SAFE BED NIGHTS TO SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN IN HOUSING. 1,957 INSTANCES OF LEGAL AND VICTIMS' RIGHTS ASSISTANCE WERE PROVIDED BY OUR ADVOCATE AT THE SEDGWICK COUNTY COURTHOUSE. IN ALL, 1,995 SURVIVORS WERE SERVED THROUGH HOUSING, ADVOCACY, SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, DIRECT ASSISTANCE, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, AND OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

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 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 June 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 April 1996.

    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.

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