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South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

EIN 57-1097784 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS THAT EVERY SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD WILL ARRIVE AT KINDERGARTEN READY TO SUCCEED.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
17
Highest pay
$102,121, executive di

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: 67 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $682,674 spent. FAMILY STRENGTHENING-FIRST STEPS WORKS TO INCREASE PARENTS' ABILITY TO STIMULATE THEIR CHILD'S INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITATION AND PARENTING PROGRAMS SUCH AS PARENTS AS TEACHERS.
  2. $195,910 spent. CHILD CARE QUALITY-FIRST STEPS ASSISTS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS CERTIFIED THROUGH SC ENDEAVORS AND INCLUDE TOPICS IN THE AREAS OF NUTRITION, HEALTH AND SAFETY,CURRICULUM, CHILD GUIDANCE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHILD CARE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AIMS TO PRODUCE MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO YOUNG CHILDREN. ALSO, FIRST STEPS PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES SO THEIR FAMILIES CAN RETURN TO WORK OR SCHOOL.
  3. $18,179 spent. EARLY HEAD START-A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, PARENTING AND FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL SUPPORTS AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PREGNANT WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AGE 3 AND UNDER, YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. FAMILIES RECEIVE WEEKLY HOME VISITS BY EARLY HEAD START STAFF AND TWO GROUP MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY FOR ENROLLED PARENTS AND FAMILIES.
  4. $116,202 spent. OTHER INDIRECT PROGRAM EXPENSES

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 2000.

    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.