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South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

EIN 57-1097819 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SECTION 59-152-10 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE ESTABLISHED THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE, RESULTS-ORIENTED INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING, THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS, AND SUPPORT FOR HIGH- QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD ENABLING THEIR CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED. OUR MISSION IS THAT EVERY SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD WILL ARRIVE AT KINDERGARTEN READY TO SUCCEED.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
18
Highest pay
$18,173, 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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (5)
  1. $3.0 million spent. EARLY EDUCATION: 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.
  2. $435,791 spent. PARENTING SUPPORT: INCREDIBLE YEARS- A SERIES OF GROUP-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR PARENTS, CHILDREN AND TEACHERS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL FITNESS AND PREVENT, REDUCE AND TREAT BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN UP TO AGE 12. THIS PROGRAM TARGETS PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORKING PRIMARILY WITH CHILDREN AGES 3-8, AS WELL AS CHILDREN DIRECTLY. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY- A BOOK GIFTING PROGRAM THAT MAILS FREE, HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH UNTIL THEY BEGIN SCHOOL, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME.
  3. $142,099 spent. CORE FUNCTIONS SCHOOL TRANSITION-DEVELOPED BY SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS - AND IDENTIFIED AS A PROMISING STATE PRACTICE BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION IN 2005 - COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN IS A HOME VISITATION PROGRAM PAIRING THE FAMILIES OF HIGH-RISK RISING KINDERGARTNERS WITH THEIR FUTURE TEACHERS DURING THE SUMMER BEFORE SCHOOL ENTRY. TEACHERS COMPLETE SIX VISITS WITH EACH FAMILY, CENTERED UPON CLASSROOM AND CONTENT EXPECTATIONS.
  4. $147,768 spent. CHILD CARE QUALITY -FIRST STEPS RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY START IN MAXIMIZING BOTH SCHOOL READINESS AND THE LONG-TERM WELL BEING OF THE STATE'S CHILDREN. THE INITIATIVE PARTNERS WITH FAMILIES, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES FOR- AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF- THE HEALTHCARE, NUTRITION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE STATE'S YOUNG CHILDREN.
  5. CHILD CARE QUALITY -FIRST STEPS RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY START IN MAXIMIZING BOTH SCHOOL READINESS AND THE LONG-TERM WELL BEING OF THE STATE'S CHILDREN. THE INITIATIVE PARTNERS WITH FAMILIES, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES FOR- AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF- THE HEALTHCARE, NUTRITION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE STATE'S YOUNG CHILDREN.

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 November 6, 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 November 4, 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.