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Steam Onward Incorporated

EIN 81-2599694 · Accokeek, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH The mission of STEAM ONWARD is to increase the number of minorities considering STEM and STEM related careers. The "A" stands for AGRICULTURE. Our youth program is focused education and outreach to youth about the diversity of STEM careers in agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. Our most active program area is UJAMAA COOPERATIVE FARMING ALLIANCE (UCFA). The mission of UCFA is to increase the number of BIPOC growers of culturally meaningful heirloom seeds. We accomplish this mission through SEED FARMING EDUCATION activities, SEED FARMING activities, and SEED CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION activities.

Income
$469,128
Spending
$177,029
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$12,466, seed farming education director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $143,450 spent. SEED FARMING EDUCATION: Through the Ujamaa Academy, the Ira Wallace Seed School, and public workshops and lectures, UCFA provides BIPOC growers and others with hands-on instruction in seed farming and seed saving both via online classes and on-site face-to-face learning. Ujamaa educators also produce curricula, children's books, and other projects to promote seed education for young people.
  2. $4,308 spent. SEED FARMING: Through partners such as the Seed Farm at Princeton University, The Utopian Seed Project, Experimental Farm Network, as well as partnerships with other universities and organizations, UCFA grows culturally meaningful seed crops and pursues research on the art and science of heirloom plants. In addition, on four acres in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, UCFA has converted Tayman Field, formerly a terraced organic vegetable farm, into a seed farm and training site.
  3. $22,242 spent. SEED CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION: UCFA works to conserve heritage varieties of culturally important crop species both at our central seed hub in Maryland and at regional seed hubs across the US. Through UJAMAA SEEDS, we provide culturally meaningful heirloom seeds, mainly through online sales, but also at conferences, community events, and market days. Seeds are also produced for both free distribution within our network and for sale to the public. Distributing heirloom seeds helps preserve heritage varieties, and contributes to biodiversity, as well as a more resilient and sustainable food system.
  4. $7,029 spent. Steam Onwards youth programs provide out of school opporyunities for youth to engage in establishing school and community gardens, sgro forestry eexplorations and the scientific monitoring of local strams in their communities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? 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 December 2024.

    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 March 2017.

    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.