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Step by Step Inc

EIN 55-0746556 · Charleston, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS IN KINDRED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN WV THROUGH DIALOGUE, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS, WELLNESS, LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES AND SERVICE. NATIONAL VISTA AND 21ST CENTURY ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
177
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$103,846, 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS, WEST VIRGINIA DEPT OF ED., OFFICE OF CHILD NUTRITION TO FEED CHILDREN DURING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WV DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY COUNCIL; GREATER KANAWHA VALLEY INITIATIVE, UNITED WAY OF THE THREE RIVERS, AND TOYOTA FOUNDATION ALL SUPPORTED OUR ANTI BULLYING INITIATIVE, AND GREATER KANAWHA VALLEY AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS FUNDED OUR ARTS, MUSIC AND YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER, AS WELL AS LOCAL FOUNDATIONS FUNDING OUR GROW APPALACHIA PROGRAM IN BIG UGLY AND OTHER PARTNER AREAS.
  2. $992,449 spent. WEST VIRGINIA DREAMERS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (21ST CENTURY) AND SCHOOL PARTNERS WE SUPPORT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVING IN THE POOREST COMMUNITIES OF LINCOLN AND LOGAN COUNTIES DURING OUT OF SCHOOL TIME BY MEETING THEIR ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, PREVENTION, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP NEEDS. OUR SITES ALSO OFFER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES, FAMILY EDUCATION EVENTS AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS. OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS HAVE VERIFIED THAT 80% OF OUR PARTICIPANTS IMPROVED IN GRADES AND/OR MASTERY LEVELS ON SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS.
  3. $349,898 spent. NATIONAL VISTA THE WV DREAMERS COLLABORATIVE, BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION NON PROFITS, SCHOOL SYSTEMS, UNIVERSITIES AND A GRASS ROOTS COMMUNITY FUND RAISING COLLABORATIVE TO SERVE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN COALFIELDS OF WEST VIRGINIA. VISTA MEMBERS FOCUS EFFORTS ON DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING PROGRAMS TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 12 TO 18 AND THE ADULTS WHO SUPPORT THEM. PROJECT GOALS CENTER ON PREVENTING SCHOOL DROPOUT, INCERASING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, DELAYING AND PREVENTING RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS, AS WELL AS DEEPENING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CORE PROGRAMS AND INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS TO SERVE AND SUPPORT ADOLESCENTS THROUGH THE TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD TO INDEPENDENT ADULTHOOD. VISTAS ALSO WORK ON GARDENING AND FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH FACING CHALLENGES OF CHILD WELFARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
  4. $241,188 spent. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM STEP BY STEP ALSO WORKS WITH COMMUNITES TO ORGANIZE AND EXPAND AFTER SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS INCLUDING ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION, RECRUITING STAFF, AND COORDINATING THE ORDERING OF OFFICE OF CHILD NUTRITION APPROVED FOOD. EACH OF THE INVOLVED SITES EXPANDED RECRUITMENT AND TRANSPORTATION AND PROVIDED SUPPER AND SNACK TO THE COMMUNITIES WITH THE HIGHEST RATE OF FREE AND REDUCED MEALS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES. WE ARE ALSO PILOTING FARM TO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE FRESH, LOCAL FOOD TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

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 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 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.