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Solutions That Empower People Inc

EIN 54-0801556 · Rocky Mount, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOLUTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE, INC (STEP) IS A NON PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED TO PLAN AND COORDINATE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO COMBAT PROBLES OF PROVERTY AND SEEK THE ELIMINATION OR REDUCTION OF CONDITIONS OF POVERTY AS THEY AFFECT THE INHABITANTS OF THE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
96

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $2.8 million spent. HEAD START: TO PROMOTE SCHOOL READINESS BY ENHANCING THE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW INCOME CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN OF FEDERAL RECOGNIZED RESERVATION AND CHILDREN OF MIGRATORY FARM WORKERS, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL, NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL, AND OTHER SERVICES; AND TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND TO HELP PARENTS MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS EDUCTIONAL, LITERACY AND EMPLOYMENT GOAL. HEAD START ALSO EMPHASIZES THE SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR LOCAL HEAD START PROGRAMS.
  2. $376,146 spent. YOUTH SERVICES: PROVIDES SERVICES TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS GAIN APPROPRIATE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND LIFE SKILLS SO THEY CAN REALIZE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY. PROVIDES RESOURCES TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENCOURAGE POST HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.
  3. $705,512 spent. HOUSING: PROVIDING SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS HEATING AND COOLING ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.
  4. $1.1 million spent. SENIOR SERVICES: PROVIDING SERVICES SUCH AS MEALS ON WHEELS, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER SERVICES TO SENIORS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED. FINANCIAL SERVICES: STEP PROVIDES FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EARNING LESS THAN 67,000 ANNUALLY.
  5. SENIOR SERVICES: PROVIDING SERVICES SUCH AS MEALS ON WHEELS, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER SERVICES TO SENIORS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED. FINANCIAL SERVICES: STEP PROVIDES FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EARNING LESS THAN 67,000 ANNUALLY.

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 October 13, 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 September 1966.

    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 October 21, 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.