Step by Step Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AND EMBOLDEN YOUNG SINGLE MOTHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH HEALING, ENCOURAGEMENT, FAITH AND EDUCATION. OUR VISION IS A LEXINGTON THAT FOSTERS BELONGING AND EMPOWERS YOUNG, SINGLE MOTHERS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $685,057
- Spending
- $588,146
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 229
- Highest pay
- $85,280, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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)
- $223,447 spent. REVIVE NIGHT IS AN IN-PERSON PROGRAM HELD WEEKLY TO SUPPORT PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING AND INCLUDES LIFE-SKILL WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS SUCH AS PARENTING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION, CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND OPTIONAL SPIRTUAL FORMATION COURSES. ADDITIONALLY, EACH REVIVE NIGHT HOSTS DEDICATED CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING CALLED REVIVE KIDS WHERE KIDS LEARN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, LITERACY, LEADERSHIP, AND MORE IN A FUN ENVIRONMENT. EVERY IN-PERSON EVENT INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING, AND A HOT MEAL FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.
- $158,471 spent. THE LEVEL UP SERIES ARE DEDICATED MULTI-WORKSHOP COURSES OFFERING DEEPER DIVES INTO LIFE SKILLS TOPICS THAT RUN CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. THE TOPICS INCLUDE FINANCIAL LITERACY, MENTORING, GOAL SETTING, GRIEF SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, AND MORE.
- $49,148 spent. THE CRISIS CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES SUBSISTENCE ITEMS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED SUCH AS DIAPERS, WIPES, TOILETRIES, GAS CARDS, AND BUS PASSES. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES HOUSING REFERRALS, MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS, EMERGENCY CASE MANAGEMENT, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 December 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 February 1997.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Step by Step Inc (Wilkes Barre, PA), EIN 23-2053563. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.