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Step Up Ministry

EIN 56-1655255 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEPUP INSPIRES ADULTS AND CHILDREN AT ECONOMIC RISK TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. TO DO THIS, STEPUP PARTNERS WITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE SHARED GOAL OF STABLE LIVES THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. PRACTICING COMPASSIONATE ACCOUNTABILITY, WE SEEK TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES UNEMPLOYED, THUS BENEFITING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
24
Volunteers
409
Highest pay
$125,941, chief executive officer

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

    26 of 26 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 (3)
  1. $289,110 spent. EMPLOYMENT: THE JOBS TEAM EMPOWERS, ENCOURAGES AND EQUIPS INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT THROUGH EXTENSIVE JOB TRAINING WORKSHOPS, CASE MANAGEMENT AND COMPASSIONATE ACCOUNTABILITY. WE UNIQUELY INVEST IN THE NEEDS OF THOSE FACING LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT WHILE ALSO INVESTING IN THE NEEDS OF, AND ENLISTING THE SUPPORT OF, AREA BUSINESSES. THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE AND PARTNERED APPROACH, WE ENABLE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO HELP FORMERLY UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS THRIVE AND PARTICIPANTS TO WORK TOWARD BECOMING PRODUCTIVE, HEALTHY AND ACTIVELY EMPLOYED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, STEPUP MINISTRY TRAINED 317 INDIVIDUALS AND HELPED TO PLACE 70 INDIVIDUALS IN JOBS AND WORKED WITH 58EMPLOYERS.
  2. $459,206 spent. LIFE SKILLS - ADULTS: ONCE EMPLOYED, STEPUP PARTICIPANT ADULTS AND THEIR CHILDREN CAN ATTEND A YEARLONG INCENTIVIZED PROGRAM THAT EQUIPS THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH THE LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY TO LIVE STABLE LIVES. OUR ADULTS MAY LACK COMMUNITY SUPPORT, BUT ARE RESPONSIBLE AS PRIMARY WAGE EARNERS AND PARENTS. LIFE SKILL FAMILIES LEARN SKILLS SUCH AS BUDGETING, GOAL-SETTING, CREDIT RESTORATION, MANAGING EMOTIONS AND RELATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE GOAL IS LONG TERM STABILITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE FAMILY'S LIFE. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, 92 ADULTS ATTENDED THE LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM.
  3. $500,536 spent. LIFE SKILLS - CHILDREN: OUR CHILDREN'S PROGRAM PROVIDES AGE-APPROPRIATE LIFE SKILLS TRAINING TAILORED TO THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS TO GROW AND DEVELOP INTO THE NEXT STAGES OF THEIR LIFE. OUR BABY AND LITTLE STEPS EQUIP CHILDREN AGES 0-5 WITH THE ESSENTIAL BUILDING BLOCKS AND FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS TO TAKE LIFE'S NEXT STEPS. MIDDLE GROUND PROVIDES CHILDREN AGED 5-15 WITH A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT TO GROW, LEARN, AND EXPLORE THEIR INDIVIDUALITY. FOR YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 16-21, THE REAL-WORLD PROGRAM PREPARES YOUNG ADULTS TO THE TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD BY TEACHING THE SKILLS NEEDED TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE CHOICES, MAINTAIN POSITIVE ATTITUDES, VALUE EDUCATION, STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND ESTABLISH MEANINGFUL, LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, 120 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM, AND 131 YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN REAL WORLD OUTREACH EVENTS.

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 May 1990.

    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.