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Steps Inc

EIN 54-1209110 · Farmville, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEPS, INC. (THE "CORPORATION") IS AN EXTREMELY DIVERSIFIED COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY WHICH DELIVERS SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED UNDER FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STEPS PROVIDES JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CITIZENS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO EXIT THE WELFARE SYSTEM; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - STEPS IS A MAJOR EMPLOYER IN THE REGION AND IN ADDITION OPERATES TWO (2) COMMERCIAL LINES OF BUSINESS: SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING AND OPERATION OF A REGIONAL RECYCLING CENTER; HOUSING STEPS PROVIDES SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE AND/OR PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AND IS DEVELOPING HOUSING OPTIONS FOR CITIZENS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS; EDUCATION STEPS OPERATES HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND PRIVATE CHILDCARE SERVICES.

Income
$8.6 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
209
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$157,760, president & ceo

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: 59 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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. $7.3 million spent. STEPS, INC. (THE "CORPORATION") IS AN EXTREMELY DIVERSIFIED COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY WHICH DELIVERS SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED UNDER FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STEPS PROVIDES JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CITIZENS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO EXIT THE WELFARE SYSTEM; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - STEPS IS A MAJOR EMPLOYER IN THE REGION AND IN ADDITION OPERATES TWO (2) COMMERCIAL LINES OF BUSINESS: SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING AND OPERATION OF A REGIONAL RECYCLING CENTER; HOUSING STEPS PROVIDES SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE AND/OR PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AND IS DEVELOPING HOUSING OPTIONS FOR CITIZENS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS; EDUCATION STEPS OPERATES HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND PRIVATE CHILDCARE SERVICES.

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 January 1985.

    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.