Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Steps to Hope Inc

EIN 56-1484890 · Columbus, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF STEPS TO HOPE IS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY FREE FROM THE VIOLENCE OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL ABUSE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION TO OFFERING EMERGENCY SHELTER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, WE OFFER MANY PROGRAMS THAT ARE PREVENTIVE IN NATURE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. THESE INCLUDE: 1) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (DVIP) (SEPARATE CLASSES FOR MEN AND WOMEN)AND HOPE FOR YOUTH (SKILLS AND CHARACTER BUILDING AS WELL AS ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH 12-17 YEARS OLD - GENDER SPECIFIC).

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
28.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
49
Volunteers
77

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $778,405 spent. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, WE PROVIDED 4,408 SERVICES TO 242 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED SAFE SHELTER, INFORMATION, ADVOCACY, REFERRAL, TRANSPORTATION, THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT AND LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE NUMBER OF CALLS RECEIVED FROM THE HOTLINE FOR ASSISTANCE WAS 791. SHELTER WAS PROVIDED TO 49 PEOPLE FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO 18 ATTENDEES OF DVIP AND 18 YOUTH SKILLS/CHARACTER BUILDING ATTENDEES. 77 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 7,534.30 VOLUNTEER HOURS.
  2. $1.2 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A SECOND CHANCE THRIFT STORE AND THRIFT BARN TO PROVIDE LOW COST CLOTHING & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO THEIR CLIENTS AND ALSO TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

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 December 1986.

    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.