Step Up for Students - Florida Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
STEP UP FOR STUDENTS EMPOWERS FAMILIES TO PURSUE AND ENGAGE IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FAMILIES WHO LACK THE INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ACCESS THESE OPTIONS. BY PURSUING THIS MISSION, WE HELP PUBLIC EDUCATION FULFILL THE PROMISE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.
- Income
- $859.4 million
- Spending
- $912.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 250
- Volunteers
- 958
- Highest pay
- $410,926, chief cst. exp. officer (thru 09/24)
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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 57% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $819.1 million spent. FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, 58,414 STUDENTS ATTENDED 1,776 PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON A STEP UP FOR STUDENTS' TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP. THE K-12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN 2001 TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE ENORMOUS EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES FACED BY CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, AND IT IS NOW THE LARGEST SUCH SCHOLARSHIP IN THE NATION. IN 2023, THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE OPENED THE SCHOLARSHIP TO ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA. QUALIFIED STUDENTS COULD RECEIVE A MAXIMUM SCHOLARSHIP OF $14,039 DEPENDING ON GRADE LEVEL AND COUNTY RESIDENCE, FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION AND FEES. FLORIDA TAX CREDIT PERSONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (FTC PEP): K-12 FLORIDA STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL OR A HOME EDUCATION PROGRAM CAN QUALIFY FOR A PERSONALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM THROUGH THE FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS TO RECEIVE AN AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP OF $8,000, REGARDLESS OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME, TO RECEIVE PARENT-DIRECTED EDUCATION. THE FUNDS ARE PLACED INTO AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT (ESA) AND CAN BE USED TO PAY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/CURRICULUM, CONTRACTED SERVICES PROVIDED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL (INCLUDING CLASSES), TUITION FOR AN ELIGIBLE HOME EDUCATION INSTRUCTION PROGRAM, FEES FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING, PRIVATE TUTORING, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND DIGITAL MATERIALS EXCLUSIVE OF DIGITAL DEVICES.
- $69.3 million spent. THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2019 TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHICH HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES WITH EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THEIR EDUCATION. THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP WAS EXPANDED INTO TWO BRANCHES: FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS AND FOR STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES (FORMERLY KNOWN AS GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP). FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS INTENDED TO HELP REDUCE THE WAIT LIST FOR THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND SIMILARILY SERVES STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME AND WORKING-CLASS HOUSEHOLDS. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS-FLORIDA, AS AN APPROVED SFO, ADMINISTERED THIS SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVED 266,023 K-12 STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. IN 2023, THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE OPENED THE SCHOLARSHIP TO ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA. QUALIFIED STUDENTS COULD RECEIVE UP TO A MAXIMUM SCHOLARSHIP OF $14,039 DEPENDING ON GRADE LEVEL AND COUNTY RESIDENCE, FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION AND FEES.FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES (FORMALLY KNOWN AS GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP): IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, STEP UP FOR STUDENTS-FLORIDA ADMINISTERED THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES WITH SPECIFIC DIABILITIES THAT INCLUDE: AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, DOWN SYNDROME, SPINA BIFIDA, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, WILLIAMS SYNDROME, AND MORE. THROUGH THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, 96,678 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR AND 126,446 STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR AT AN AVERAGE OF $10,113 EACH. THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS FAMILIES TO CHOOSE THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THAT BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENT, AND THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT FOR SCHOOLS, THERAPISTS, SPECIALISTS, CURRICULUM, TECHNOLOGY EVEN A COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
- $3.7 million spent. NEW WORLDS SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM: THE NEW WORLDS SCHOLARSHIP WAS CREATED IN 2018 TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHO STRUGGLED IN READING AND WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MATH IN 2023. STEP UP FOR STUDENTS-FLORIDA, AS AN APPROVED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM. THE SCHOLARSHIP IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN K- THROUGH FIFTH-GRADE WHO HAVE SCORED A LEVEL 1 OR 2 ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND/OR MATH SECTIONS OF THE FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT. EACH SCHOLARSHIP IS WORTH $1,200, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE STUDENT NEEDS HELP IN EITHER OR BOTH AREAS OF STUDY. THE PARENT CAN USE THESE FUNDS TO PAY FOR TUITION AND FEES RELATED TO PART-TIME TUTORING, SUMMER AND AFTER-SCHOOL LITERACY PROGRAMS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND MORE. THROUGH THE NEW WORLDS SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT PROGRAM, 31,764 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR AND 24,551 STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR. THE STATE OF FLORIDA ELECTED NOT TO FUND THE PROGRAM FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR.
- FLORIDA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024, THE FLORIDA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS MERGED INTO THE FLORIDA TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (FTC) BY FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 1 (2023). THE TAX CREDIT DONATION PROCESS MENTIONED BELOW CONTINUES, FUNDING MORE FTC SCHOLARSHIPS. THE FLORIDA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY FLORIDA STATUTE 1002.40, WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2018 TO PROVIDE THE OPTION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ACTS OF BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION. SUFS-FL, AS AN APPROVED SFO, IS AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER FLORIDA HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS. THE FLORIDA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES THAT AUTOMOBILE BUYERS MAY REDIRECT UP TO $105 OF THEIR STATE TAXES ON EACH PURCHASE TOWARD AN AUTHORIZED SFO. THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS MUST BE USED TO PROVIDE TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO PARTICIPATING PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ANOTHER DISTRICT.
- $2.9 million spent. POLICY, INNOVATION AND EMPOWERMENT: THIS DEPARTMENT TAKES THE MESSAGE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS TO CONSTITUENCY GROUPS, COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL LEADERS, AND LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS PUBLICATIONS. IT ISSUES PRESS RELEASES ON TOPICS OF SPECIAL CONCERN AND WRITES COMMENTARY FOR VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS. THE TEAM ANALYZES DEMOGRAPHIC, ACHIEVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION DATA, AND TRENDS IN THE PROGRAM AND EDUCATION CHOICE MOVEMENT. THE TEAM RESPONDS TO NUMEROUS INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM NEWSPAPERS, OTHER MEDIA, AND LEGISLATIVE AND AGENCY OFFICES. THE TEAM ALSO ORGANIZES ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS WHO BELIEVE CHILDREN SHOULD BE EDUCATED BASED ON HOW THEY LEARN, RATHER THAN WHERE THEY LIVE. THE TEAM EDUCATES, INFORMS, AND TRAINS PARENTS TO BE ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS FOR THE PROTECTION AND EXPANSION OF CHOICE OPPORTUNITIES. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PARENTS OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED TO PARENTS UTILIZING OTHER CHOICE OPTIONS.
- $1.7 million spent. TRANSPORTATION STIPEND PROGRAM: THE FLORIDA'S TRANSPORTATION STIPEND PROGRAM PROVIDES ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH $750 TO COVER THE COST OF TRANSPORTING THEIR CHILDREN TO FLORIDA NONVIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS DIFFERENT FROM THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THE STUDENT IS ASSIGNED. TRANSPORTATION STIPENDS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE EIGHT (K-8). QUALIFYING PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY INCLUDE: A MAGNET SCHOOL OR OTHER SCHOOL OF CHOICE OPERATED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT. A CHARTER SCHOOL. A DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH SCHOOL OPERATED BY A STATE UNIVERSITY. A SCHOOL PARTICIPATING IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OPEN ENROLLMENT POLICY.A "HOUSEHOLD" IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE HOUSING AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES. THE FUNDING IS FROM DIRECT STATE APPROPRIATION. A TRANSPORTATION STIPEND ACCOUNT IS ESTABLISHED FOR EACH CHILD THAT IS AWARDED A TRANSPORTATION STIPEND SCHOLARSHIP. THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION STIPEND PROGRAM, 17,805 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.